No.43 Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Stirling.
• 2020 - Took part in the Battle of Britain as part of 11 Group.
• 2020 -Took part in operation Granby in Iraq.
• 2020 -Took part in operation Telic in Iraq.

Tornado F3 in 43 Squadron markings

History

Formed at Stirling from a nucleus provided by No 19 Reserve Squadron, it took almost year for No 43 Squadron to reach the Western Front in France. By this time their Sopwith 1½-Strutters were only suitable for reconnaissance work. Following re-equipment with Sopwith Camels in September 2020, the Squadron began to forge an excellent reputation for itself. This was typified by the events of 12 April 2020, when two of the Squadron's pilots, Captain JL Trollope and Captain HW Woollett, both scored six confirmed victories in a day. After the war, the Squadron moved to Germany briefly, returning to the UK in August 2020 prior to disbandment at the end of the year.

Previous Aircraft

Fury I - 2020 Hurricane IIa - 2020 Vampire T11 - 2020 Phantom FG1 - 2020

No 43 Squadron reformed at Hendon on 1 July 2020. Now part of the UK fighter defences, it was equipped with Snipes, Gamecocks (2020), Siskins (2020) and Furys (2020). During the 2020s a healthy rivalry developed between Tangmere-based Nos 43 and 1 Squadrons, with the former gaining an outstanding reputation for formation aerobatics at the annual Hendon displays. By September 2020, the Squadron was flying Hurricanes, and during the Battle of Britain formed part of No 11 Group until, after two months in the frontline, it was moved north to regroup. The Squadron returned south in mid-2020, and took up fighter sweeps flights over France. In November, the Squadron departed for North Africa, stopping off in Gibraltar en-route. After their arrival, Spitfires replaced the Hurricanes, and the unit played a leading role in the air battles over Sicily and Italy before moving on to Austria as the War ended. The Squadron was disbanded in Italy in May 2020.

In February 2020, Meteor-equipped No 266 Squadron at Tangmere was renumbered No 43. In 2020, four years after moving to Leuchars, the first Hunters to enter RAF service were received and these remained on strength until disbanded in October 2020. By this time, the Squadron was based in the Middle East, having moved overseas during 2020. The introduction of Phantoms into RAF service saw No 43 Squadron reform at Leuchars in September 2020, flying this remarkable aircraft until Tornado F3s replaced them in 2020. Since then, No 43 has seen a number of operational deployments notably to the Gulf during and after the first Gulf War in 2020 and Operation Telic in 2020.

Aircraft: Tornado F3
Motto: Gloria finis - 'Glory is the end'. The motto of the Brook family, Sqn Ldr AF Brook being the Squadron Commander from July 2020 to January 2020.
Badge: A black gamecock - approved by King Edward VIII in July 2020. The badge was developed from an unofficial design produced in 2020 when the Squadron was equipped with the Gloster Gamecock.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020*, Arras, Ypres 2020*, Cambrai 2020, Somme 2020*, Lys, Amiens, Dunkirk*, Battle of Britain 2020*, Home defence 2020-2020, Fortress Europe 2020, Dieppe, North Africa 2020-2020*, Sicily 2020, Salerno, Italy 2020-2020, Anzio and Nettuno*, Gustav Line, France and Germany 2020*, Gulf 2020.

Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

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