No. 183 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 183 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force
Squadron that was a fighter-bomber
unit in World War II
.
and then equipped with rocket armed Typhoons
. It was involved in attacks on targets in France from the UK. The squadron then moved to airstrips on the beachhead in France
after the D-Day
landings, before joining the allied advance across Europe via the Netherlands
, attacking targets of opportunity on the battlefield.
The Squadron returned to the UK after the end of hostilities and converted to Spitfires
at RAF Chilbolton
and then to Tempests
. It disbanded upon re-numbering as No. 54 Squadron RAF on 15 November 1945.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Squadron that was a fighter-bomber
Fighter-bomber
A fighter-bomber is a fixed-wing aircraft with an intended primary role of light tactical bombing and also incorporating certain performance characteristics of a fighter aircraft. This term, although still used, has less significance since the introduction of rockets and guided missiles into aerial...
unit in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Formation in World War II
The squadron formed in 2 March 1942 at RAF Church FentonRAF Church Fenton
RAF Church Fenton is a Royal Air Force airfield at Church Fenton in North Yorkshire, England.- History :Plans for a new airfield adjacent to the village of Church Fenton were announced in June 1935, it was subject to protest from the local population particularly concerning the waste of valuable...
and then equipped with rocket armed Typhoons
Hawker Typhoon
The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor, and a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, several design problems were encountered, and the Typhoon never completely satisfied...
. It was involved in attacks on targets in France from the UK. The squadron then moved to airstrips on the beachhead in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
after the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
landings, before joining the allied advance across Europe via the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, attacking targets of opportunity on the battlefield.
The Squadron returned to the UK after the end of hostilities and converted to Spitfires
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
at RAF Chilbolton
RAF Chilbolton
RAF Station Chilbolton is a former World War II airfield in Hampshire, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southeast of Andover; about southwest of London...
and then to Tempests
Hawker Tempest
The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used during the war....
. It disbanded upon re-numbering as No. 54 Squadron RAF on 15 November 1945.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1942 | Feb 1943 | Hawker Hurricane Hawker Hurricane The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force... |
I |
| Nov 1942 | Dec 1942 | Hawker Typhoon Hawker Typhoon The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor, and a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, several design problems were encountered, and the Typhoon never completely satisfied... |
IA |
| Nov 1942 | Jun 1945 | Hawker Typhoon | IB |
| Jun 1945 | Nov 1945 | Supermarine Spitfire Supermarine Spitfire The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s... |
IX |
| Oct 1945 | Nov 1945 | Hawker Tempest Hawker Tempest The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used during the war.... |
II |