No. 533 Squadron RAF

No. 533 Squadron RAF
Active8 Sep 1942 – 25 Jan 1943[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleTurbinlite nightfighter squadron
Part ofNo. 10 Group RAF, Fighter Command[2]

No. 533 Squadron RAF was one of the ten Turbinlite nightfighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

History

No. 533 Squadron was formed at RAF Charmy Down, Somerset on 8[1] September 1942, from No. 1454 (Turbinlite) Flight,[3][4] as part of No. 10 Group RAF in Fighter Command. Instead of operating only Turbinlite and – rudimentary – Airborne Intercept (AI) radar-equipped aircraft (Havocs and Bostons) and working together with a normal nightfighter unit, such as in their case with the Hawker Hurricanes of No. 87 Squadron RAF in the Flight,[3] the unit now also flew with their own Hurricanes. It was disbanded at Charmy Down on 25 January 1943,[1] when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.[5]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[1][3][5]
From To Aircraft Version
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Douglas Havoc Mk.I (Turbinlite)
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Douglas Havoc Mk.I (Nightfighter)
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Douglas Boston Mk.III
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc

Squadron bases

Bases and airfields used by No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[1][3][5]
From To Base
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 RAF Charmy Down, Somerset

Commanding officers

Officers commanding No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[3]
From To Name
September 1942 November 1942 S/Ldr. D.P. McKeown, AFC
November 1942 January 1943 unknown yet

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Jefford (2001), p. 97.
  2. ^ www.rafcommands.com
  3. ^ a b c d e Rawlings (1978), p. 465
  4. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin (2007), p. 123
  5. ^ a b c Halley (1988), p. 402

Bibliography

  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Air Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C. G (2001) [1988]. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (second ed.). Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D. R. (1978) [1969]. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft (second ed.). Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
  • Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-365-X.

Further reading

  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew Thomas (2003). Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-281-8..