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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 United Kingdom
Branch Ensign of the Royal Air Force 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[]

Aircraft operated by no. 542 Squadron RAF
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

[1]

References[]

  1. C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6. 

External links[]



All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at No. 542 Squadron RAF and the edit history here.
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