RAF No. 246 Squadron

RAF No. 246 Squadron

Motto: -

Formed in August 1918 from No's 402, 403, 451 and 495 Flts at Seaton Carew, it was equipped Short 184 and Sopwith Baby seaplanes as well as FE2b and Kangaroo landplanes, the only RAF unit to operate the latter.  These were used for anti-submarine patrols along the Durham coast, disbanding in either March or May 1919.

It reformed at Bowmere as a Sunderland squadron on 1 September 1941, beginning operations in December, but on 30 April 1943 it was disbanded, its aircraft being passed onto Nos 228, 330 and 422 Squadrons.

A new 246 Squadron was formed on 11 October 1944 at Lyneham as a Liberator transport unit and eight days later it began flying long distance routes to the Middle and Far East.  From November 1944, it received some Halifaxes and in December it also received Yorks, which were initially used for VIP work.  From April to July 1945, it operated a few Skymasters, but these were transferred to No 232 Squadron, leaving it equipped with Liberators and Yorks, the Halifaxes having left in February 1945.  In November 1945 the Liberators left and the squadron continued to operate the Yorks on routes to the middle East and India until  being disbanded when it was merged with No 511 Squadron on 15 October 1946.

No Badge Authorised

Squadron Codes used: -  MP - Allocated Apr 1939 - Sep 1939; VU - Dec 1944 - Oct 1946

Web Reference:http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn246-250.htm

History

In the World War I
The squadron was formed at the former Royal Naval Air Station Seaton Carew, England on 18 August 1918 to provide coastal patrols. It was the only RAF squadron to operate the Blackburn Kangaroo. The base closed and the squadron was disbanded, in May 1919 as some claim, while others have 15 March 1919 or 24 March 1919
In the World War II
The squadron reformed on 1 September 1942 at Bowmore on Islay to operate the Short Sunderland flying boat. It began patrols in December 1942 but was disbanded on 30 April 1943.
Post-war
On 11 October 1944 it reformed at RAF Lyneham as a transport squadron with the Consolidated Liberator, moving to RAF Holmsley South in the December. The Handley Page Halifax was also operated for experimental and conversion duties. In December 1944 the squadron began to receive the Avro York. In February 1945 the squadron absorbed the VVIP Flight and the Metropolitan Communications Squadron at RAF Northolt. In November 1945 the Halifax aircraft were retired and the Douglas Skymaster introduced. In 1945 the squadron standardised on the Avro York and operated scheduled services to India and the Middle East until it merged with 511 Squadron on 15 October 1946.

Aircraft operated

From	To	Aircraft	Version
Aug 1918	Mar 1919	Short 184
Aug 1918	Oct 1918	Sopwith Baby
Aug 1918	Oct 1918	Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2	F.E.2b
Aug 1918	Nov 1918	Short 320
Aug 1918	Nov 1918	Blackburn Kangaroo
Oct 1942	Apr 1943	Short Sunderland	Mks.II, III
Oct 1944	Nov 1945	Consolidated Liberator	Mks.III, VI
Nov 1944	Feb 1945	Handley Page Halifax	Mk.III
Dec 1944	Oct 1946	Avro York	C.1
Apr 1945	Jul 1945	Douglas Skymaster	Mk.I

Web Reference:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._246_Squadron_RAF