No. 251 Squadron RAF
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| No. 251 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
 A Fortress GR Mark IIA of No. 251, which undertook meteorological reconnaissance flights from Reykjavik | |
| Active | 31 May 1918 - 30 June 1919, 1 August 1944 - 30 October 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Part of | RAF Coastal Command |
| Motto(s) | "However wind blows."[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | A weathercock |
| Squadron Codes | AD Aug 1944 - Oct 1945 |
No. 251 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Squadron which operated during the First World War and the Second World War. The Squadron was disbanded in 1945 and remains inactive.
History
[edit]No. 251 Squadron RAF was first formed in August 1918 from Nos. 504, 505, 506 and 510 (Special Duty) Flights based at Hornsea but operating from Atwick, RAF Greenland Top/Stallingborough) and Owthorne. The Squadron flew anti-submarine patrols on the coast of Yorkshire for the remainder of World War I and was then disbanded on 30 June 1919.[2]
No. 251 Squadron was then reborn after No. 1407 (Meteorological) Flight, stationed at Reykjavík, was renumbered for air-sea rescues on 1 August 1944. 1407 Flight was formed in October 1941, receiving Lockheed Hudson aircraft in April 1942. The number of aircraft was expanded in November with more Hudsons and a few Handley Page Hampdens. The latter were replaced with Lockheed Venturas in 1943.[3]
The new Squadron also operated as Meteorological Reconnaissance until it was finally disbanded in October 1945.[4]
Aircraft Used
[edit]During its first time in operation, the Squadron flew:
During its second time in operation, the Squadron flew:
- Avro Anson (August 1944 - October 1945)
- Lockheed Ventura (August 1944 - October 1944)
- Lockheed Hudson (August 1944 - August 1945)
- Boeing Fortress II (March 1945 - October 1945)
- Vickers Warwick (August 1945 - October 1945)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 101. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
- ^ Squadron history page on official RAF website
- ^ Sturtivant, R (2007), RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912, Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, p. 120, ISBN 9780851-303659
- ^ Air of Authority
External links
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