No. 288 Squadron RAF

No. 288 Squadron RAF
Active	18 November 1941 – 15 June 1946 16 March 1953 – 30 September 1957
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Motto(s)	Honour through deeds
Insignia
Squadron Badge	A running stag
Squadron Code	RP (November 1941 –June 1946)

No. 288 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an anti-aircraft co-operation unit in World War II.

History

Formation in World War II

The squadron formed at RAF Digby on 17 November 1941 and was equipped with Lysanders, Blenheims and Hurricanes to provide practice for the anti-aircraft defences in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire by towing targets and conducting simulated attacks. The squadron then moved to Wellingore, Church Fenton and Hutton Cranswick with detachments at other bases and operated other aircraft types before it was disbanded at East Moor on 15 June 1946.

Postwar

The squadron reformed at Middle Wallop on 15 March 1953 and operated Spitfire and Balliol target aircraft before it disbanded again on 30 September 1957.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by No. 288 Squadron RAF

From	To	Aircraft	Variant
Nov 1941	Feb 1942	Bristol Blenheim	IV
Nov 1941	Mar 1942	Westland Lysander	II, III
Nov 1941	Mar 1942	Lockheed Hudson	III
Nov 1941	1944	Hawker Hurricane	I
Mar 1942	Apr 1943	Boulton Paul Defiant	I
Dec 1942	June 1946	Supermarine Spitfire	VB,IX
Mar 1943	May 1945	Airspeed Oxford
July 1943	?	Miles Martinet
Mar 1944	Nov 1944	Bristol Beaufighter	VI
Mar 1945	Jun 1946	Vultee Vengeance	IV
Mar 1953	May 1953	Supermarine Spitfire	LF 16E
Apr 1953	Sep 1957	Boulton Paul Balliol	T.2

External links

• History of No.'s 286–290 Squadrons at RAF Web
• 288 Squadron history on the official RAF website