No. 520 Squadron RAF


No. 520 Squadron RAF was a meteorological squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Gibraltar on 20 September 1943 from 1403 Flight. Equipped with Lockheed Hudsons, it was tasked with collecting meteorological data from both the Mediterranean and Atlantic. In February 1944 it was re-equipped with Handley Page Halifaxes and these were supplemented by Supermarine Spitfires, although the Spitfires were replaced with Hawker Hurricanes a few months later. In September 1944 the squadron absorbed 1500 (BAT) Flight and its Miles Martinets, which were used for target towing. The squadron also operated the Hudson again and also the Vickers Warwick. The squadron continued to serve for a while after the war was over, and was even given an air-sea rescue task, using the Warwicks, but was disbanded at Gibraltar on 25 April 1946.

Aircraft operated

FromToAircraftVariant
September 1943March 1944Lockheed HudsonMk.III
September 1943June 1944Gloster GladiatorMk.II
February 1944June 1945Handley Page HalifaxMk.V
February 1944June 1944Supermarine SpitfireMk.Vb
June 1944April 1946Hawker HurricaneMk.IIc
September 1944December 1945Miles MartinetMk.I
January 1945October 1945Lockheed HudsonMk.III
April 1945April 1946Handley Page HalifaxMk.III
August 1945April 1946Vickers WarwickMk.I
October 1945January 1946Lockheed HudsonMk.VI