| No. 542 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active |
19 October 1942 – 27 August 1945 15 May 1954 - 1 Oct 1955 1 Nov 1955 - 1 Oct 1958 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force |
| Motto(s) | Above all |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | A Globe surrounded by stars |
No. 542 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a photographic reconnaissance squadron in World War II that reformed in the post war period.
History[]
Formation in World War II[]
The squadron formed at RAF Benson on 19 October 1942 and was equipped with Spitfires to fly missions over Europe, until it disbanded on 27 August 1945 after hostilities ceased.
Postwar[]
The squadron reformed at RAF Wyton on 15 May 1955 and operated Canberras before disbanding again on 1 October 1955. It reformed the following month and was detached to Australia to conduct nuclear test surveys before it disbanded again upon renumbering on 1 October 1958.
Aircraft operated[]
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1942 | Jul 1943 | Supermarine Spitfire | IV |
| Mar 1943 | Aug 1945 | Supermarine Spitfire | XI |
| May 1944 | Aug 1945 | Supermarine Spitfire | X |
| Jun 1944 | Aug 1945 | Supermarine Spitfire | XIX |
| May 1954 | Oct 1955 | English Electric Canberra | PR 7 |
| Nov 1955 | Oct 1958 | English Electric Canberra | B.2 |
| Nov 1955 | Oct 1958 | English Electric Canberra | B.6 |
References[]
- ↑ C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to No. 542 Squadron RAF. |
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The original article can be found at No. 542 Squadron RAF and the edit history here.