No. 97 Squadron RAF
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| No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1917 to 1920 1935 to 1956 1959 to 1967 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Motto | Achieve your aim |
No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, was a Royal Air Force squadron formed on December 1, 1917 at Waddington, Lincolnshire, first as a training unit, until moving to Netheravon in March 1918, and re-equipping with the Handley Page O/400 heavy bomber. The squadron served in France for the remainder of the war, returning to the UK in March 1919, and re-equipping with the Airco DH.10. The squadron was later posted to India, where it remained until disbanding on April 1, 1920, after being re-numbered No. 60 squadron.
The squadron reformed on September 16, 1935 at Catfoss, and was equipped with the Handley Page Heyford. The squadron was disbanded again in April 1940.
The squadron reformed again on February 25, 1941 at Waddington, and was equipped with the Avro Manchester bomber. Later the squadron was re-equipped with the Avro Lancaster, and in April 1943 became a pathfinder force squadron.
In July 1946, the squadron re-equipped with the Avro Lincoln, and remained operational until disbanding at Hemswell on January 1, 1956.
It reformed as a Thor missile unit at Hemswell from December 1, 1959, until being disbanded on May 24, 1963. The squadron was then reformed via the re-numbering of No. 151 Squadron, disbanding for the final time on January 2, 1967.
