No. 517 Squadron RAF was a meteorological squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
History No. 517 Squadron was formed on 11 August 1943 at RAF St Eval, Cornwall, when No. 1404 (Meteorological) Flight RAF was re-numbered. It was equipped with Lockheed Hudsons and Handley Page Hampdens, which it flew daily out into the Atlantic to collect meteorological data. Between September and November 1943 four United States Army Air Forces Flying Fortresses were temporarily attached to the squadron, awaiting the arrival of adapted Handley Page Halifaxes. By November 1943 the squadron had re-equipped with the Halifax and then moved to RAF St Davids in Wales. Two further moves followed, one to RAF Brawdy in February 1944 and then after the war to RAF Chivenor where the squadron was disbanded on 21 June 1946.
Aircraft operated +Aircraft operated by No. 517 Squadron RAF From To Aircraft Version Notes August 1943 September 1943 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III August 1943 October 1943 Handley Page Hampden Mk.I September 1943 November 1943 Flying Fortress B-17F 4 USAAF aircraft on attachment from 379th Bomber Squadron USAAF November 1943 June 1946 Handley Page Halifax Mk.V February 1945 June 1946 Handley Page Halifax Mk.III
Squadron bases +Bases and airfields used by No. 517 Squadron RAF From To Base Remark 11 August 1943 26 November 1943 RAF St Eval, Cornwall 26 November 1943 1 February 1944 RAF St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales Det. at RAF Tiree, Hebrides, Scotland 1 February 1944 26 November 1945 RAF Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, Wales 26 November 1945 21 June 1946 RAF Chivenor, Devon
See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
History of No.'s 500–520 Squadrons at RAF Web History of No. 517 Squadron on raf.mod.uk