No. 225 Squadron RAF

No. 225 Squadron RAF
Active1 April 1918 - 18 December 1918
11 October 1939 - 7 January 1947
1 January 1960 - 1 November 1965[1]
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeFlying squadron
Motto(s)We guide the sword[2]

No. 225 Squadron RAF is a former Royal Air Force squadron.

History

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World War One

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No. 225 Squadron RAF was formed on 1 April 1918 at Alimini, Italy from part of No. 6 Wing RNAS, and was equipped with Sopwith Camels. The squadron disbanded on 18 December 1918.[1]

World War Two

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Preserved Westland Lysander III wearing the markings of No. 225 Squadron in 1968. This aircraft had served the squadron in 1940.

On 11 October 1939 the squadron was reformed at Odiham, equipped with Westland Lysanders, from No. 614A Squadron which had been formed on 3 October 1939 from 'B' Flight 614 Squadron.[1] In 1942 the squadron re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes and North American Mustangs. After participating in the allied invasion of Tunisia "Operation Torch", the squadron began converting to Supermarine Spitfires in January 1943.

In September 1944 the squadron returned to Italy after the invasion of Southern France (Operation Dragoon), where it remained until disbanding on 7 January 1947.[1]

Post War

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It was reformed on 1 January 1960, from the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit, equipped with Bristol Sycamores and Westland Whirlwinds. The squadron was based at Andover until moving to Odiham in May 1960, and then Malaysia in November 1963. The squadron disbanded on 1 November 1965.[1]

Aircraft operated

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Squadron Codes

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225 Squadron aircraft wore two different squadron codes during the period 1939-1947.

Code LX was allocated in April 1939 and worn until April 1942.[1]

Code WU was used from April - July 1942, then February 1943 - January 1947.[1]

Notable members

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Surviving aircraft

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Four aircraft that were operated by 225 Squadron during World War II are known to survive. They are:

  • Westland Lysander Mk.III R9125 coded LX-L, RAF Museum, Hendon, London

link: http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/westland-lysander-iii/

This aircraft was used by the Squadron for reconnaissance patrols along the south coast of England between September 1940 and April 1941.

  • Westland Lysander V9312 is currently (May 2015) under restoration by the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARC) at Duxford, Cambridgeshire (UK). Built in 1940, it served with 225 Sqn some time between January 1941 and April 1942. Following damage in an accident (whilst being used by 4 Sqn), it was repaired and converted to target tug status before being sent to Canada. It last flew in December 1944.

Link: http://www.arc-duxford.co.uk/restorations/

Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20140902005253/http://www.maltaviationmuseum.com/spitfire.asp This Spitfire was photographed at Florence, Italy wearing the code WU-S.

  • Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc PV270 was flown on Army Co-operation missions by 225 Squadron during March–April 1945. It was restored to flying condition over 8 years by a team led by Brendon Deere (nephew of the well-known Alan Deere) in New Zealand. The first post-restoration flight was on 18 March 2009. This aircraft currently resides at RNZAF Ohakea airbase and may be seen flying at displays in New Zealand. [link:

http://www.spitfirepv270.co.nz/

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Lake, Alan (1999). Flying units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  2. ^ Pine, L G (1983). A dictionary of mottoes. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. p. 263. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.

Bibliography

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  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1980. ISBN 0-85130-083-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1998 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (Second edition 1976). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
  • Millington, G., Air Commodore, RAF, "The Unseen Eye", London, 1961.
  • Lake, Alan (1999). Flying units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  • Madley, Lewis G. 'A Road Long Traveled'.
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