No. 541 Squadron RAF
No. 541 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a photographic reconnaissance squadron in World War II.
| No. 541 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 19 October 1942 – 1 October 1946 1 November 1947 – 7 September 1957 |
| Country |  |
| Branch |  |
| Motto(s) | Alone above all |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | A birds eye speedwell flower |
| Squadron Code | ES (October 1945 – Dec 1946) WY (November 1947 –1951) A (1951 –1954) |
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. It also received Mustang aircraft in July 1944 and operated some Lancaster bombers for UK mapping purposes after hostilities ceased. One of the squadrons first commanders following its formation was John Saffery.
Postwar
The squadron reformed at RAF Benson on 1 November 1947 and in December 1950 its Spitfires were replaced with Meteors which it operated from RAF Bückeburg, RAF Laarbruch and RAF Gütersloh before it disbanded again on 7 September 1957.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1942 | Jan 1943 | Supermarine Spitfire | D |
| Oct 1942 | Sep 1944 | Supermarine Spitfire | IV |
| Nov 1942 | Dec 1942 | Supermarine Spitfire | IX |
| Dec 1942 | Mar 1946 | Supermarine Spitfire | XI |
| May 1944 | Apr 1945 | Supermarine Spitfire | X |
| Jun 1944 | Oct 1946 | Supermarine Spitfire | XIX |
| Dec 1942 | Mar 1946 | Supermarine Spitfire | XI |
| Jul 1944 | Jun 1945 | North American P-51 Mustang | III |
| Oct 1945 | Apr 1946 | Gloster Meteor | F.3 |
| Feb 1946 | Oct 1946 | Avro Lancaster | PR1 |
| Nov 1947 | May 1951 | Supermarine Spitfire | PR 19 |
| Dec 1950 | Sep 1957 | Gloster Meteor | PR 10 |
External links
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