No. 286 Squadron RAF was a non-operational Second World War Royal Air Force squadron that operated a variety of aircraft to provide targets for anti-aircraft gun practice in the West Country of England.
| No. 286 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 17 November 1941 – 16 May 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Anti-aircraft Co-operation |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Praesidia Nostra Exercemus ("We exercise our defences") |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | In front of a three-bladed propeller, a grenade fired[1] |
| Squadron Codes | NW (Nov 1941 - May 1945) |
History edit
The squadron was formed at RAF Filton on 17 November 1941 from No. 10 Group AAC Flight.[1]
From 24 January 1942 the squadron was headquartered at newly operational RAF Lulsgate Bottom.[2] However, as the facilities there were still unfinished, from 2 March to 30 April the headquarters used RAF Colerne. It returned to Lulsgate only briefly before leaving for RAF Zeals on 26 May.[3]
The squadron served at various locations and detachments around the west country before finally moving to RAF Weston Zoyland, where it was disbanded on 16 May 1945.[1]
Aircraft operated edit
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1941 | Jan 1942 | Westland Lysander | Mk.II | |
| Nov 1941 | Jun 1943 | Hawker Hurricane | Mk.I | |
| Nov 1941 | Jul 1944 | Boulton-Paul Defiant | Mks.I, III | |
| Nov 1941 | May 1945 | Airspeed Oxford | Mks.I, II | |
| Apr 1942 | May 1945 | Hawker Hurricane | Mks.IIc, IV | |
| Jul 1943 | Dec 1944 | Miles Martinet | Mk.I | |
| Nov 1944 | Mar 1945 | Miles Master | Mk.III |
References edit
Notes edit
Bibliography edit
- Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth, 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- James, Ian. The Story of RAF Lulsgate Bottom. Bristol: Redcliffe Press, 1989. ISBN 0-948265-48-5.
- Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons: A Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of All RAF Squadrons and Their Antecedents Since 1912, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988. ISBN 1853100536. (second revised edition 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.)
- Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. 1985.
External links edit
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