No. 277 Squadron RAF

No. 277 Squadron RAF
Active 22 December 1941 – 15 February 1945
Country United Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s) Latin: Quaerendo servamus
("We save by seeking")
Insignia
Squadron Badge A winged hand rising from water
Squadron Code BA (December 1941 – February 1945)

No. 277 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an air-sea rescue unit in World War II.

History

Formation in World War II

A Lysander of 277 Squadron operating from RAF Hawkinge

The squadron formed at Stapleford Tawney on 22 December 1941 equipped with the Lysander and Walrus. Defiants and Spitfires were then supplied for spotting downed aircrew in the English Channel.

The Warwick which could drop lifeboats was operated from November 1944 and the squadron was able to increase its area of operations with a detachment based at RAF Portreath. The squadron was disbanded On 15 February 1945.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 277 Squadron RAF[1]
From To Aircraft Variant
Dec 1941 Jun 1944 Westland Lysander II
Dec 1941 Feb 1945 Supermarine Walrus IA
May 1942 May 1943 Boulton Paul Defiant I
Feb 1943 May 1944 Supermarine Spitfire HC
Nov 1943 Feb 1945 Supermarine Sea Otter
Apr 1944 Feb 1945 Supermarine Spitfire VB
Nov 1944 Feb 1945 Vickers Warwick I

References

  1. ↑ C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
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