133 Squadron RAF was one of the famous Eagle squadrons formed from American volunteers serving with the RAF during World War II.
| 133 Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 133 squadron crest.png | |
| Active | 1918, 1941-1942 |
| Role | Fighter |
| Garrison/HQ | Inactive |
| Motto(s) | Let us to the battle |
| Equipment | Hurricane, Spitfire (WWII) |
| Battle honours | none |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | On a hurt a semée of mullets, an eagle deployed identification_symbol_label=Badge heraldry |
History
133 Squadron was first formed in 1918 at RAF Ternhill. It was a training unit for the Handley Page O/400 flying the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b, it was expected to move to France but was disbanded on 4 July 1918. Various attempts to reform as both a bomber and fighter squadron were all abandoned as the end of the war approached.
It was reformed at RAF Coltishall in July 1941 as the third of the Eagle squadrons, equipped with Hawker Hurricane IIB fighters. It transferred to RAF Duxford in August, and by October was at RAF Eglinton, County Londonderry in Northern Ireland where it was equipped with Supermarine Spitfire IIAs. It then transferred back to the south-east England including time at RAF Biggin Hill.
The squadron ran fighter sweeps over France until September 1942 when it was transferred to the USAAF and became the 336th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group.
Aircraft Operated
- 1918 - Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b
- 1941 - Hawker Hurricance IIB
- 1941 - Supermarine Spitfire IIB
- 1942 - Supermarine Spitfire VA and VB
- 1942 - Supermarine Spitfire IX
Fiction
In the 2005 episode of Doctor Who, "The Empty Child", Jack Harkness, from the 51st century, is posing as a volunteer in the squadron during 1941.
References
- G G Jefford, RAF Squadrons, second edition 2001, Airlife Publishing, UK, ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
External links
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