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No. 287 Squadron was an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1941 to 1946.

No. 287 Squadron RAF
Active19 November 1941 – 15 June 1946
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Roleanti-aircraft co-operation
Part ofNo. 11 Group RAF, Fighter Command[1]
No. 70 Group RAF, Fighter Command[2]
Motto(s)French: C'est en forgeant
(Translation: "Practice makes perfect")[3]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA popinjay displayed perched[3]
Squadron CodesKZ (Nov 1941 – Jun 1946)[4][5]

History


The squadron was formed at RAF Croydon on 19 November 1941 from No. 11 Group RAFs Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Flight. The squadron flew various aircraft, including Westland Lysanders and Bristol Blenheims. The role of No. 287 Squadron was to provide target towing and to carry out attack simulations during World War II. This was to enable continuation training for anti-aircraft units in the South of England. After spending a large period of time in Croydon, No. 287 Squadron moved to RAF North Weald in 1944, RAF Bradwell Bay in 1945 and RAF West Malling in September 1945. After Lysanders and Blenheims, No. 287 Squadron began to develop its aircraft strength, taking on board Miles Masters, Boulton Paul Defiants and Airspeed Oxfords in 1942, Miles Martinets and Spitfire VB's in 1943, Bristol Beaufighters, Spitfire IX's and Tempest V's in 1944 and Spitfire XVI's in 1945. The squadron was disbanded on 15 June 1946.


Aircraft operated


Aircraft operated by No. 287 Squadron RAF[6][7][8]
FromToAircraftVersion
November 1941January 1942Bristol BlenheimMk.IV
November 1941March 1942Lockheed HudsonMk.III
November 1941April 1942Westland LysanderMk.III
November 1941March 1945Hawker HurricaneMks. I, IIb, IV
February 1942August 1942Miles MasterMk.III
March 1942October 1943Boulton Paul DefiantMk.I
March 1942June 1946Airspeed Oxford
January 1943October 1943Boulton Paul DefiantMk.III
July 1943June 1946Miles Martinet
November 1943March 1944Supermarine SpitfireMk.Vb
September 1944July 1945Bristol BeaufighterMk.VI
November 1944September 1945Supermarine SpitfireMk.IX
November 1944June 1946Hawker TempestMk.V
August 1945June 1946Supermarine SpitfireMk.XVI

Squadron bases


Bases and airfields used by No. 287 Squadron RAF[6][7][8]
FromToBaseRemarks
19 November 19414 July 1944RAF CroydonDetachments at RAF Debden, RAF Hornchurch, RAF Merston,
RAF Martlesham Heath, RAF Fairlop, RAF Biggin Hill,
RAF Northolt, RAF Ipswich, RAF Ford,
RAF Honiley, RAF Hunsdon, RAF Southend
and RAF Farnborough
4 July 194427 August 1944RAF North WealdDetachments at RAF Farnborough and RAF Gatwick
27 August 194420 January 1945RAF GatwickDetachment at RAF North Weald
20 January 19453 May 1945RAF RedhillDetachment at RAF North Weald
3 May 194515 June 1945RAF HornchurchDetachments at RAF Hunsdon and RAF North Weald
15 June 194510 September 1945RAF Bradwell Bay
10 September 194515 June 1946RAF West Malling

References



Notes


  1. Delve 1994, pp. 57, 63.
  2. Delve 1994, p. 72.
  3. Halley 1988, p. 348.
  4. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 64.
  5. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 87.
  6. Rawlings 1982, p. 256.
  7. Halley 1988, p. 349.
  8. Jefford 2001, p. 85.

Bibliography






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