Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

No 286 - 290 Squadron Histories

No 286 Squadron

Formed at Filton on 17 November 1941 from No 10 Group Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight.  It was initially equipped with various types of aircraft including Oxfords, Defiants, Masters and Hurricane Is.

It role was to provide target towing and to gunlaying training for anti-aircraft units in its area, which was basically the South-west of England.  At various times it was based at Lulsgate Bottom, Colerne, Zeals, Weston Zoyland, Weston-super-Mare, and Culmhead.

In April 1942 Hurricanes IICs and IV were taken on strength and in July 1943, Martinents were also added.  The squadron finally disbanded on 16 May 1945.

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Squadron Codes used: -  

[Aircraft & Markings | Commanding Officers]

No 287 Squadron

Formed at Croydon on 19 November 1941 from No 11 Group Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight.  It was initially equipped with various types of aircraft including Lysanders, Blenheims, Hudsons and Hurricanes.

It role was to provide target towing and to carry out attack simulations in order to provide continuation train for anti-aircraft units in its area, which was the South of England.  After a fairly long spell at Croydon, it moved to North Weald (July 1944), Gatwick (August 1944), Redhill (January 1945), Hornchurch (May 1945), Bradwell Bay (June 1945) and West Malling (September 1945).

Later types taken on strength included Masters (February 1942), Defiants, Oxfords (both March 1942), Martinets (July 1943), Spitfire VBs (November 1943), Beaufighters (September 1944), Spitfire IXs, Tempest Vs (both November 1944) and Spitfire XVIs (August 1945).  The squadron finally disbanded on 15 June 1946.

Squadron Codes used: -  

[Aircraft & Markings | Commanding Officers]

No 288 Squadron

Formed at Digby on 18 November 1941 from No 12 Group Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight.  It was initially equipped with various types of aircraft including Lysanders, Blenheims and Hurricanes.

It role was to provide target towing and to carry out attack simulations in order to provide continuation train for anti-aircraft units in the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area.  It was based at a number of airfields in the region including Wellingore, Coleby Grange, Collyweston, Church Fenton, Hutton Cranswick and East Moor.

Later types taken on strength included Hudsons (December 1941), Defiants, Oxfords (both March 1942), Beaufighters (March 1944), Spitfire IX and XVIs (1944 ) and Vengence IIs (May 1945).  The squadron disbanded on 15 June 1946.

The squadron was reformed on 16 March 1953 with Spitfire LF Mk 16Es at Middle Wallop to provide target aircraft for the trainee all-weather fighter crews at no 288 OCU at nearby Colerne.  The Spitfires were replaced in June and July by Balliol T Mk 2s, which were flown until squadron finally disbanded on 12 September 1957.

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Squadron Codes used: -

[Aircraft & Markings | Commanding Officers]

No 289 Squadron

Formed at Kirknewton on 20 November 1941 from No 13 Group Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight.  It was initially equipped with various types of aircraft including Lysanders and Blenheims, with Hudsons and Hurricanes being added the following month.

It role was to provide target towing and to carry out attack simulations in order to provide continuation train for anti-aircraft units in its area, which was Scotland and the North-East of England.  It moved to Turnhouse in May 1942, Acklington (7 May 1945), Eshott (18 May 1945 and Andover (5 June 1945)

Later types taken on strength included Defiants, Oxfords (both March 1942), Martinets (June 1943), Vengence II (March 1945) and Spitfire XVIs (May1945).   The squadron finally disbanded on 26 June 1945.

No Badge Authorised

Squadron Codes used: -  

[Aircraft & Markings | Commanding Officers]

No 290 Squadron

Formed at Newtownards on 1 December 1943 from No 1617 and No 1480 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flights.  It was initially equipped with Oxfords, Martinets, Hurricanes and Spitfire VBs, most of which remained its equipment (except for the Hurricanes) for the whole of its career.

It role was to provide target towing and to carry out attack simulations in order to provide continuation train for anti-aircraft units in its area, which was Northern Ireland.  It moved to Turnhouse to cover Scotland in August 1944 and in January 1945 it moved onto Belgium to provide the same service to anti-aircraft units protecting Allied units on the continent.  The squadron finally disbanded on 27 October 1945.

No Badge Authorised

Squadron Codes used: -  

[Aircraft & Markings | Commanding Officers]

Squadron badge image on this page is courtesy of Steve Clements

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