No. 542 Squadron RAF

No. 542 Squadron RAF
Active	19 October 1942 – 27 August 1945 15 May 1954 - 1 Oct 1955 1 Nov 1955 – 1 Oct 1958
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Motto	Above all
Insignia
Squadron Badge	A Globe surrounded by stars

No. 542 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a photographic reconnaissance squadron in World War II that reformed in the post war period.

History

Formation in World War II

The squadron formed at RAF Benson on 19 October 1942 and was equipped with Spitfires to fly missions over Europe, until it disbanded on 27 August 1945 after hostilities ceased.

Postwar

The squadron reformed at RAF Wyton on 15 May 1955 and operated Canberras before disbanding again on 1 October 1955. It reformed the following month from 1323 Flight and was detached to Australia to conduct nuclear test surveys before it disbanded again upon renumbering to 21 Squadron on 1 October 1958.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 542 Squadron RAF

From	To	Aircraft	Variant
Oct 1942	Jul 1943	Supermarine Spitfire	IV
Mar 1943	Aug 1945	Supermarine Spitfire	XI
May 1944	Aug 1945	Supermarine Spitfire	X
Jun 1944	Aug 1945	Supermarine Spitfire	XIX
May 1954	Oct 1955	English Electric Canberra	PR 7
Nov 1955	Oct 1958	English Electric Canberra	B.2
Nov 1955	Oct 1958	English Electric Canberra	B.6

External links

• Squadron history on RafWeb
• Squadron history on the official RAF website