No. 138 Squadron RAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids No. 138 Squadron RAF |
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Squadron badge
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| Active | 30 Sep 1918 – 1 Feb 1919 25 Aug 1941 – 1 Sep 1950 1 Jan 1955 – 1 Apr 1962 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Fighter Special Operations Bomber |
| Motto(s) | For Freedom |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | A sword in bend, the point uppermost, severing a reef knot |
| Squadron Codes | NF (Aug 1941 – Mar 1945, Apr 1947 – Sep 1950) AC (Mar 1945 – Apr 1947) |
No. 138 Squadron RAF was a special group of planes and pilots in the Royal Air Force. They flew different types of missions over many years. This squadron was the first to use the powerful 'V-bomber' planes, like the Vickers Valiant, from 1955 to 1962. The squadron was eventually closed down in 1962.
Contents
The Story of No. 138 Squadron
Starting Out: World War I
The squadron was first planned to start on May 1, 1918. It was meant to be a fighter unit. However, its official start was delayed.
No. 138 Squadron RAF officially began on September 30, 1918. It was formed at Chingford as a fighter-reconnaissance squadron. This means its planes could both fight and gather information. The squadron was closed down, or disbanded, in the same place on February 1, 1919.
Secret Missions in World War II
During World War II, No. 138 Squadron was started again in 1941. It was formed from an existing group called No. 1419 Flight. This squadron became the first of its kind in the Royal Air Force Special Duty Service.
In February 1942, some of its planes and crews were used to create a new squadron, No. 161 (Special Duty) Squadron. No. 138 Squadron first operated from RAF Stradishall. In March 1942, it moved to its main secret base at RAF Tempsford.
The squadron had a very important and dangerous job. It dropped supplies and secret agents for groups like the SIS and the SOE. These missions were flown over areas in Europe that were controlled by enemy forces.
From October 1941, many all-Polish volunteer crews joined the squadron. Between April and November 1943, the squadron even had a special Polish flight. This group was called the Polish Special Duties Flight.
The squadron continued these secret missions until March 1945. After that, it joined Bomber Command. It was part of No. 3 Group. No. 138 Squadron was disbanded on September 1, 1950.
The V-Bomber Era: After the War
On January 1, 1955, the squadron was started up again. This time, it became the first squadron to fly the Vickers Valiant. This was a very important strategic nuclear bomber plane.
The squadron was based at RAF Gaydon at first. Later, it moved to RAF Wittering. In October 1956, during the Suez Crisis, its planes flew missions from Malta. No. 138 Squadron was finally disbanded for the last time on April 1, 1962.
Aircraft Operated by the Squadron
| From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1918 | Feb 1919 | Bristol F.2 Fighter | F.2b |
| Aug 1941 | Mar 1942 | Westland Lysander | Mk.IIIa |
| Aug 1941 | Nov 1942 | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley | Mk.V |
| Aug 1941 | Aug 1944 | Handley Page Halifax | Mk.II |
| Jan 1943 | Aug 1944 | Handley Page Halifax | Mk.V |
| Jun 1944 | Mar 1945 | Short Stirling | Mk.V |
| Mar 1945 | Sep 1947 | Avro Lancaster | Mks.I and III |
| Sep 1947 | Sep 1950 | Avro Lincoln | B.2 |
| Feb 1955 | Mar 1962 | Vickers Valiant | B.1 |
| Mar 1956 | May 1961 | Vickers Valiant | B(PR).1 |
| Mar 1956 | Aug 1961 | Vickers Valiant | B(PR)K.1 |
| Jun 1956 | Apr 1962 | Vickers Valiant | B(K).1 |
See also
- No. 301 Polish Bomber Squadron
Images for kids
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Vickers Valiant B.1 XD818 – This plane is on display at the RAF Museum Cosford, alongside other 'V bombers' like the Handley Page Victor and Avro Vulcan.
