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
+Aircraft operated by no. 520 Squadron RAF, data from From To Aircraft Variant September 1943 March 1944 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III September 1943 June 1944 Gloster Gladiator Mk.II February 1944 June 1945 Handley Page Halifax Mk.V February 1944 June 1944 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb June 1944 April 1946 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc September 1944 December 1945 Miles Martinet Mk.I January 1945 October 1945 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III April 1945 April 1946 Handley Page Halifax Mk.III August 1945 April 1946 Vickers Warwick Mk.I October 1945 January 1946 Lockheed Hudson Mk.VI
Squadron bases +Bases and airfields used by no. 520 Squadron RAF, data from From To Base Remark 20 September 1943 25 April 1946 RAF Gibraltar already in use with 1403 Flight since 6 March 1943
See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
Squadron histories for nos. 500–520 sqn