No. 516 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 516 Squadron RAF was an army co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force
during the Second World War.
from 1441 (Combined Operations) Flight on 28 April 1943. Its role was to provide realistic training facilities to both combined operations training units in the Western Scotland area. It operated a large variety of aircraft with the unusual task to provide realistic low-level attacks against commando and assault troops undergoing training. The work involved detaching aircraft near the troop training areas including RAF Ayr
and RAF Haverfordwest
. By 1944 the training of commando and assault troops was on the decline and the squadron was disbanded at Dundonald on the 2 December 1944.
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...
during the Second World War.
History
No. 516 Squadron was formed on 28 April 1943 at RAF DundonaldRAF Dundonald
RAF Dundonald was an aerodrome in Ayrshire, Scotland, some miles inland from the coastal town of Troon. It was used by 516 Squadron during World War II for training with commando and assault troops. The former site of the Dundonald aerodrome is now an industrial estate named Olympic Business Park...
from 1441 (Combined Operations) Flight on 28 April 1943. Its role was to provide realistic training facilities to both combined operations training units in the Western Scotland area. It operated a large variety of aircraft with the unusual task to provide realistic low-level attacks against commando and assault troops undergoing training. The work involved detaching aircraft near the troop training areas including RAF Ayr
RAF Heathfield
RAF Heathfield, sometimes known as RAF Ayr/Heathfield due to its proximity to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, which was also used by military flights, was a Royal Air Force Second World War airfield....
and RAF Haverfordwest
RAF Haverfordwest
RAF Haverfordwest was a Royal Air Force airfield in World War II. It was operational from 1943 to 1945. The airfield was located 2 miles North of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was under the control of 17 Group, RAF Coastal Command.-See also:...
. By 1944 the training of commando and assault troops was on the decline and the squadron was disbanded at Dundonald on the 2 December 1944.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1943 | December 1943 | Westland Lysander Westland Lysander The Westland Lysander was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft used immediately before and during the Second World War... |
Mks.II, IIIa |
| April 1943 | February 1944 | North American Mustang P-51 Mustang The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts... |
Mk.I |
| April 1943 | December 1944 | Avro Anson Avro Anson The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was... |
Mk.I |
| May 1943 | December 1944 | Bristol Blenheim Bristol Blenheim The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter... |
Mk.IV |
| December 1943 | December 1944 | 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... |
Mks.IIb, IIc |