No. 577 Squadron RAF

No. 577 Squadron RAF
Active1 December 1943 – 15 June 1946
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Roleanti-aircraft co-operation unit
Insignia
Squadron Codes3Y (Dec 1943 – Jun 1946)[1][2]

No. 577 Squadron was an anti-aircraft co-operation unit of the Royal Air Force formed during World War II and active from December 1943 till June 1946 in the defence of the Midlands.

History

577 squadron was formed on 1 December 1943 at RAF Castle Bromwich from elements of nos.6, 7 and 8 anti-aircraft cooperation units (AACU).[3] It operated a varied lot of aircraft on airfields and bases all over the Midlands and Wales. On 15 June 1946 the squadron disbanded at Castle Bromwich.[4][5][6]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 577 Squadron RAF, data from[4][5][6]
From To Aircraft Version
December 1943 July 1945 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IV
December 1943 June 1946 Airspeed Oxford Mks.I, II
May 1944 July 1945 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc
November 1944 July 1945 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.I
April 1945 June 1946 Vultee Vengeance Mk.IV
June 1945 August 1945 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb
June 1945 June 1946 Supermarine Spitfire LF.16e
Avro Anson Mk.I

Squadron bases

Bases and airfields used by no. 577 Squadron RAF, data from[4][5][6]
From To Base Remark
1 December 1943 15 June 1946 RAF Castle Bromwich, Warwickshire Dets. at RAF Wrexham, Wrexham; RAF Sealand, Flintshire;
RAF Montford Bridge, Shropshire; RAF Shobdon, Herefordshire;
RAF Bodorgan, Anglesey; RAF Ipswich, Suffolk;
RAF Mona, Anglesey; RAF Fairwood Common, Glamorgan;
RAF Woodvale, Merseyside; RAF Atcham, Shropshire;
RAF Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and RAF Hawarden, Cheshire

References

Notes

  1. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 119.
  2. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, pp. 56–57.
  3. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, pp. 62–64.
  4. ^ a b c Rawlings 1982, p. 257.
  5. ^ a b c Halley 1988, p. 414.
  6. ^ a b c Jefford 2001, p. 98.

Bibliography

  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)