No. 251 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Squadron which operated during the First World War and the Second World War. The Squadron was disbanded in 1945 and remains inactive.

No. 251 Squadron RAF
A Fortress GR Mark IIA of No. 251, which undertook meteorological reconnaissance flights from Reykjavik
Active31 May 1918 - 30 June 1919,
1 August 1944 - 30 October 1945
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Part ofRAF Coastal Command
Motto(s)"However wind blows."[1]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA weathercock
Squadron CodesAD Aug 1944 - Oct 1945

History

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No. 251 Squadron RAF was first formed in August 1918 from Nos. 504, 505, 506 and 510 (Special Duty) Flights based at Hornsea but operating from Atwick, RAF Greenland Top/Stallingborough) and Owthorne. The Squadron flew anti-submarine patrols on the coast of Yorkshire for the remainder of World War I and was then disbanded on 30 June 1919.[2]

No. 251 Squadron was then reborn after No. 1407 (Meteorological) Flight, stationed at Reykjavík, was renumbered for air-sea rescues on 1 August 1944. 1407 Flight was formed in October 1941, receiving Lockheed Hudson aircraft in April 1942. The number of aircraft was expanded in November with more Hudsons and a few Handley Page Hampdens. The latter were replaced with Lockheed Venturas in 1943.[3]

The new Squadron also operated as Meteorological Reconnaissance until it was finally disbanded in October 1945.[4]

Aircraft Used

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During its first time in operation, the Squadron flew:

During its second time in operation, the Squadron flew:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 101. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ^ Squadron history page on official RAF website
  3. ^ Sturtivant, R (2007), RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912, Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, p. 120, ISBN 9780851-303659
  4. ^ Air of Authority
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