No. 138 Squadron RAF
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| No. 138 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1918-1919 1941-1950 1955-1962 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | fighter special operations bomber |
| Motto | For Freedom |
| Insignia | |
| squadron code | NF |
No. 138 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force, last disbanded in 1962.
Contents |
[edit] History
It was originally formed as a fighter-reconnaissance squadron in September 1918, and was disbanded in February 1919.
During the Second World War it was reformed in 1941, from No. 1419 Flight, as No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron. It was based at RAF Tempsford, and was tasked with dropping agents and equipment of the Special Operations Executive inside occupied territory. It carried out this role until March 1945 when it was reassigned to Bomber Command, operating under No. 3 Group. It was disbanded in 1950.
In 1955, it reformed as the first squadron to be equipped with the Vickers Valiant strategic nuclear bomber, based at RAF Gaydon and later moving to RAF Wittering. It flew from Malta during the Suez Crisis, and was finally disbanded on 1 April 1962.
[edit] Aircraft Operated
- 1918 - Bristol F2b Fighter
- 1941 - Westland Lysander IIIA
- 1941 - Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V
- 1941 - Handley Page Halifax II
- 1943 - Handley Page Halifax V
- 1944 - Short Stirling V
- 1945 - Avro Lancaster I & III
- 1947 - Avro Lincoln B2
- 1955 - Vickers Valiant B1 & B(K)1
[edit] References
- G G Jefford, RAF Squadrons, second edition 2001, Airlife Publishing, UK, ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
- No. 301 Polish Bomber Squadron/h138.html RAF History Section - 138 Squadron]
[edit] External links
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