No. 517 Squadron RAF
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No. 517 Squadron RAF was a meteorological squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
History
No. 517 Squadron was formed on 11 August 1943 at RAF St Eval, Cornwall, when No. 1404 (Meteorological) Flight RAF was re-numbered. It was equipped with Lockheed Hudsons and Handley Page Hampdens, which it flew daily out into the Atlantic to collect meteorological data. Between September and November 1943 four United States Army Air Forces Flying Fortresses were temporarily attached to the squadron, awaiting the arrival of adapted Handley Page Halifaxes. By November 1943 the squadron had re-equipped with the Halifax and then moved to RAF St Davids in Wales. Two further moves followed, one to RAF Brawdy in February 1944 and then after the war to RAF Chivenor where the squadron was disbanded on 21 June 1946.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1943 | September 1943 | Lockheed Hudson | Mk.III | |
| August 1943 | October 1943 | Handley Page Hampden | Mk.I | |
| September 1943 | November 1943 | Flying Fortress | B-17F | 4 USAAF aircraft on attachment from 379th Bomber Squadron USAAF |
| November 1943 | June 1946 | Handley Page Halifax | Mk.V | |
| February 1945 | June 1946 | Handley Page Halifax | Mk.III |
Squadron bases
| From | To | Base | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 August 1943 | 26 November 1943 | RAF St Eval, Cornwall | |
| 26 November 1943 | 1 February 1944 | RAF St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales | Det. at RAF Tiree, Hebrides, Scotland |
| 1 February 1944 | 26 November 1945 | RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, Wales | |
| 26 November 1945 | 21 June 1946 | RAF Chivenor, Devon |
See also
Notes
Bibliography
- Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
- Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
- Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
- Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
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