No. 533 Squadron RAF explained
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 September 1942, from No. 1454 (Turbinlite) Flight, 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, the unit now also flew with their own Hurricanes. It was disbanded at Charmy Down on 25 January 1943, when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.
Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from! From !! To !! Aircraft !! Version8 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | | Mk.I (Turbinlite) |
8 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | | Mk.I (Nightfighter) |
8 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | | Mk.III |
8 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | | 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! From !! To !! Base8 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | RAF Charmy Down, Somerset | |
Commanding officers
Officers commanding No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from! From !! To !! NameSeptember 1942 | November 1942 | S/Ldr. D.P. McKeown, AFC |
November 1942 | January 1943 | unknown yet | |
References
Bibliography
- Book: Halley, James J. . The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988 . 1988 . Air Britain (Historians) . 0-85130-164-9 .
- Book: Jefford, C. G . RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 . 2001 . 1988 . second . Airlife Publishing . 1-85310-053-6 .
- Book: Rawlings, John D. R. . Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft . Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers) . 1978 . second . 1969 . 0-354-01028-X .
- Book: Sturtivant . Ray . Hamlin . John . RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912 . 2007 . Air-Britain (Historians) . 0-85130-365-X .
Further reading
- Book: Delve, Ken . The Source Book of the RAF . 1994 . Airlife Publishing . 1-85310-451-5.
- Book: Flintham . Vic . Thomas . Andrew Thomas . Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938 . 2003 . Airlife Publishing . 1-84037-281-8. .
External links
Notes and References
- http://www.rafcommands.com/Fighter/533F.html www.rafcommands.com