No. 529 Squadron RAF was a radar calibration unit of the Royal Air Force during World War II. The unit had the distinction to be the only RAF unit to fly autogyros and helicopters operationally during World War II.
History No. 529 Squadron was formed on 15 June 1943 from No. 1448 Flight at RAF Halton. This flight under the experienced rotary aircraft pilot Squadron Leader Alan Marsh had pioneered radar calibration using Autogyros and light aircraft and the squadron continued to do this until after the end of World War II. On 16 August 1944 the squadron moved to a field at Crazies Farm, Henley-on-Thames and on that field they became the first RAF squadron to fly a helicopter for operational use, when they received their first Vought-Sikorsky Hoverfly. It was disbanded on 20 October 1945 at RAF Henley-on-Thames.
Aircraft operated
+Aircraft operated by No. 529 Squadron, data from From To Aircraft Version June 1943 October 1945 Avro Rota Mk.Ia June 1943 October 1945 de Havilland Hornet Moth June 1943 July 1944 Avro Rota Mk.II September 1944 October 1945 Airspeed Oxford Mks.I, II May 1945 October 1945 Vought-Sikorsky Hoverfly Mk.I
Squadron bases +Bases and airfields used by No. 529 Squadron RAF, data from From To Base 15 June 1943 16 August 1944 RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire 16 August 1944 20 October 1945 RAF Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
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