RAF Squadron Reference Section 1939-1945
Identifying Markings:
For those
unfamiliar with the coding system, two letters were separated from a
third by the roundel. For example, CG The two-letter squadron code was introduced after the Munich Crisis of 1938. However, many squadrons used a different code following the outbreak of hostilities. This second code did not always extend to non-operational aircraft held on charge by a squadron and so it was common for two separate codes to be displayed. Additionally, the same code combination was in use by more than one squadron at the same time. A further complication is that aircraft "acquired" by squadrons as communications hacks would be quickly overpainted with codes as proof of ownership. These were often not held on the squadron imprest account. By the same token, some aircraft officially "off the books", would suddenly reappear resplendent in new paintwork, again being non-accountable equipment. For this reason it may be seen that there was sometimes a very wide variety of aircraft present in a single squadron. Four methods are provided to find details of RAF squadrons. Deployments with dates within East Anglia can be found from the Map Page. Fuselage codes can be found either from the alphabetical lists or by squadron number. If these don't provide the information you need, contact me! |
Squadron Codes
From First Letter
|
Squadron No From
|
Squadron
Numbers: |
1 - 299 |
Regular RAF |
400-445 |
RCAF |
300-309 |
Polish |
450-467 |
RAAF |
310-314 |
Czech |
485-490 |
RNZAF |
315-318 |
Polish |
500-504 |
RAF Reserve |
320-322 |
Dutch |
510-539 |
RAF Special Duties (plus 161 Sqn) |
326-329 |
Free French |
540-544 |
RAF PR |
330-333 |
Norwegian |
600-616 |
RAF Auxiliary |
334-336 |
Greek |
651-673 |
AOP (663 Polish, 664-666 RCAF) |
340-347 |
Free French |
674-699 |
Regular RAF (680-684 PR) |
349-350 |
Belgian |
700-799 |
Naval Squadrons |
351-352 |
Jugoslav |
800-899 |
Fleet Air Arm Squadrons |
353-358 |
RAF India |
900-999 |
Barrage Balloon Squadrons |
71, 121 & 133 |
American (Eagle) Squadrons |
1300-1399 |
Specialised Flights and Conversion Units |
Squadron Names: Throughout the range of numbers there were individual squadrons whose personnel were either from a particular country, region or city. (In some cases adopted). In addition, there were a number of instances where a squadron had been financed by the country or region concerned. In most cases an emblem on the port side below the forward cockpit canopy signified the squadron's affiliation. Single aircraft were were in some cases donated by private individuals, company's or communities. The name of the donor was stencilled in yellow forward of the cockpit canopy. This was in addition to national or regional insignia. |
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Sqn |
Name |
Sqn |
Name |
Sqn |
Name |
18, 257 |
Burma |
300 |
Masovian |
415 |
Swordfish |
24 |
Commonwealth |
301 |
Pomeranian |
416 |
City of Oshawa |
26 |
South African |
302 |
Poznan |
417 |
City of Windsor |
35, 79, 99, |
Madras Presidency |
303 |
Kosciusko |
418 |
City of Edmonton |
43, 247 |
China-British |
304 |
Silesian |
419 |
Moose |
44, 237, 266 |
Rhodesia |
305 |
Wielpolska |
420 |
Snowy Owl |
46 |
Uganda |
306 |
Torun |
421 |
Red Indian |
56, 130 |
Punjab |
307 |
Lwow |
422 |
Flying Yachtsman |
65 |
East India |
308 |
Krakow |
423 |
Bald Eagle |
71, 121, 133 |
Eagle (USA) |
309 |
Ziema Czerwienska |
424 |
Tiger |
72 |
Basutoland |
315 |
Deblinski |
425 |
Alouette |
74 |
Trinadad |
316 |
Warsaw |
426 |
Thunderbird |
75 |
New Zealand |
317 |
Wilno |
427 |
Lion |
82, 87 |
United Provinces |
318 |
Danzig |
428 |
Ghost |
88,114, 209 |
Hong Kong |
326 |
Nice |
429 |
Bison |
91 |
Nigeria |
327 |
Corse |
430 |
City of Sudbury |
91,123, 149 |
East India |
328 |
Provence |
431 |
Iroquois |
97 |
Straits Settlements |
329 |
Cicognes |
432 |
Leaside |
102, 165, 213 |
Ceylon |
340 |
Ile de France |
433 |
Porcupine |
110, 152 |
Hydrabad |
341 |
Alsace |
434 |
Bluenose |
122 |
Bombay |
342 |
Lorraine |
435 |
Chinthe |
124 |
Baroda |
343 |
Flotille 7E |
436 |
Elephant |
125 |
Newfoundland |
344 |
Flotille 1E |
437 |
Husky |
126 |
Persian Gulf |
345 |
Berry |
438 |
Wildcat |
129, 219 |
Mysore |
346 |
Guyenne |
439 |
Westmount |
131, 500 |
County of Kent |
347 |
Tunisie |
440 |
City of Ottawa and Beaver |
132 |
City of Bombay |
400 |
City of Toronto |
441 |
Silver Fox |
139 |
Jamaica |
401 |
Rams |
442 |
Caribou |
154 |
Motor Industries |
402 |
Winnipeg Bears |
443 |
Hornet |
164 |
Argentine-British |
403 |
Wolf |
501 |
County of Gloucester |
167,183, |
Gold Coast |
404 |
Bufallo |
502 |
Ulster |
174 |
Mauritius |
405 |
Vancouver |
503 |
County of Lincoln |
193 |
Fellowship of the Bellows (Brazil) |
406 |
Lynx |
504 |
County of Nottingham |
263 |
Fellowship of the Bellows (Argentina) |
407 |
Demon |
600 |
City of London |
692 |
Fellowship of the Bellows |
408 |
Goose |
601 |
County of London |
214 |
Federated Malay States |
409 |
Nighthawk |
602 |
City of Glasgow |
222 |
Natal |
410 |
Couger |
603 |
City of Edinburgh |
242 |
Canadian |
411 |
Grizzly Bear |
604 |
County of Middlesex |
245 |
Northern Rhodesia |
412 |
Falcon |
605 |
County of Warwick |
250 |
Sudan |
413 |
Tusker |
607 |
County of Durham |
253 |
Hydrabad State |
414 |
Sarnia Imperials |
608 |
North Riding |
609 |
West Riding |
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610 |
County of Chester |
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611 |
West Lancashire |
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612 |
County of Aberdeen |
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613 |
City of Manchester |
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614 |
County of Glamorgan |
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615 |
County of Surrey |
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616 |
South Yorkshire |