No. 533 Squadron RAF

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No. 533 Squadron RAF
Active8 Sep 1942 – 25 Jan 1943[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleTurbinlite nightfighter squadron
Part ofNo. 10 Group RAF, Fighter Command[2]

No. 533 Squadron RAF was one of the ten Turbinlite nightfighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

History[edit]

No. 533 Squadron was formed at RAF Charmy Down, Somerset on 8[1] September 1942, from No. 1454 (Turbinlite) Flight,[3][4] 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,[3] the unit now also flew with their own Hurricanes. It was disbanded at Charmy Down on 25 January 1943,[1] when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.[5]

Aircraft operated[edit]

Aircraft operated by No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[1][3][5]
From To Aircraft Version
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Douglas Havoc Mk.I (Turbinlite)
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Douglas Havoc Mk.I (Nightfighter)
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Douglas Boston Mk.III
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc

Squadron bases[edit]

Bases and airfields used by No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[1][3][5]
From To Base
8 September 1942 25 January 1943 RAF Charmy Down, Somerset

Commanding officers[edit]

Officers commanding No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[3]
From To Name
September 1942 November 1942 S/Ldr. D.P. McKeown, AFC
November 1942 January 1943 unknown yet

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Jefford (2001), p. 97.
  2. ^ www.rafcommands.com
  3. ^ a b c d e Rawlings (1978), p. 465
  4. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin (2007), p. 123
  5. ^ a b c Halley (1988), p. 402

Bibliography[edit]

  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Air Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C. G (2001) [1988]. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (second ed.). Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D. R. (1978) [1969]. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft (second ed.). Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
  • Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-365-X.

Further reading[edit]

  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew Thomas (2003). Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-281-8..

External links[edit]

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