No._1404_(Meteorological)_Flight_RAF
No. 517 Squadron RAF
Defunct flying squadron of the Royal Air Force
No. 517 Squadron RAF was a meteorological squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
| No. 517 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 11 August 1943 – 21 June 1946 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Meteorological squadron |
| Part of | No. 19 Group RAF, Coastal Command[1] |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Non Nobis Laboramus (Translation: "We work not for ourselves")[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | Two cubit arms erased, holding a flash of lightning[2] |
| Squadron Codes | X9 (1943 - 1946)[3] |
No. 517 Squadron was formed on 11 August 1943 at RAF St Eval, Cornwall, when No. 1404 (Meteorological) Flight RAF was re-numbered.[4] It was equipped with Lockheed Hudsons and Handley Page Hampdens, which it flew daily out into the Atlantic to collect meteorological data. Between September and November 1943 four United States Army Air Forces Flying Fortresses were temporarily attached to the squadron, awaiting the arrival of adapted Handley Page Halifaxes. By November 1943 the squadron had re-equipped with the Halifax and then moved to RAF St David's in Wales. Two further moves followed, one to RAF Brawdy in February 1944 and then after the war to RAF Chivenor where the squadron was disbanded on 21 June 1946.
| From | To | Aircraft | Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1943 | September 1943 | Lockheed Hudson | Mk.III | |
| August 1943 | October 1943 | Handley Page Hampden | Mk.I | |
| September 1943 | November 1943 | Flying Fortress | B-17F | 4 USAAF aircraft on attachment from 379th Bomber Squadron USAAF |
| November 1943 | June 1946 | Handley Page Halifax | Mk.V | |
| February 1945 | June 1946 | Handley Page Halifax | Mk.III |
| From | To | Base | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 August 1943 | 26 November 1943 | RAF St Eval, Cornwall | |
| 26 November 1943 | 1 February 1944 | RAF St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales | Det. at RAF Tiree, Hebrides, Scotland |
| 1 February 1944 | 26 November 1945 | RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, Wales | |
| 26 November 1945 | 21 June 1946 | RAF Chivenor, Devon |
Notes
- Delve 1994, pp. 64, 73 and 80.
- Halley 1988, p. 396.
- Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 117.
- Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 120.
- Rawlings 1982, p. 253.
- Halley 1988, p. 397.
- Jefford 2001, p. 97.
Bibliography
- Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
- Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
- Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
- Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
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