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No.54 Sqn RAF Founded : 15th May 1916
Audax omnia perpeti - Boldness to endure anything No. 54 Squadron was formed on the 5th of May 1916 at Castle Bromwich. The squadron was equipped with BE2C's and Avro 504's and was part of the home defence force. Shortly after 54 squadron changed to day fighter duties and moved to France then equipped with Sopwith Pups. Their role was to escort bombers and attack observation balloons. Near the end of the great war 54 squadron was re -quipped with Sopwith Camels and tasked with ground attack as well as fighter sorties. In February 1919, the squadron returned to RAF Yatesbury and on 2nd October 1919 54 squadron was disbanded. On the 15th of January 1930, 54 squadron was reformed at RAF Hornchurch as a fighter squadron equipped initially with Siskin aircraft. The Siskins were subsequently replaced with Bulldog fighters and in September 1936 54 squadron was re-equipped with Gloster Gauntlets and in April 1937, they recieved Gloster Gladiators. In March 1939 the squadron recieved the new Supermarine Spitfire. After the outbreak of world war two, 54 Squadron was given the duties of patrolling the Kent coast, until having to support and give air cover to the evacuation of Dunkirk in May and June 1940. The squadron was heavily involved during the Battle of Britain until November 1940 and after the Battle of Britain had ceased the squadron moved in November 1940 to RAF Castletown where its duties were coastal patrols. In June 1942 the squadron moved to RAF Wellingore to prepare for the squadron moving to Australia. In January 1943 54 squadron joined No.1 Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force. The Spitfires of the squadron were given the role of air defence duties against Japanese air attacks in the Darwin area. After the war had ended 54 squadron was disbanded in Melbourne on the 31st of October 1945, although the squadron name continued when on the 15th of November 1945 No.183 Squadron was renumbered 54 Squadron and flew initially Hawker Tempests. Taking up jet aircraft, the squadron subsequently used Vampires, Meteors, Hunters, Phantom and Jaguars before disbanding on 11th March 2005. 54 Squadron reformed on 5th September 2005 as an ISTAR (Intelligence Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance ) unit equipped with Sentry, Nimrod and Sentinel aircraft. |
No.54 Sqn RAF
A Day for Heroes by Ivan Berryman. (PC) | Victory Above Dover by Ivan Berryman. (PC) | Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. | Hornchurch Scramble by Robert Taylor. |
No.54 Sqn RAF Artwork Collection |
Spitfires of No.54 squadron during the Battle of Britain by Graeme Lothian. (P) | A Quick Despatch by Ivan Berryman. | Clipped Signature - Stuart Nigel Rose. |
Clipped Signature - Chris Taylor. | Spitfire Over Tower Bridge by John Young. (AP) | Victory Above Dover by Ivan Berryman. |
A Day for Heroes by Ivan Berryman. | Hornchurch Scramble by Robert Taylor. | Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. |
Richthofens Flying Circus by Nicolas Trudgian. | 54(F) Squadron Farewell by Michael Rondot |
Aces for : No.54 Sqn RAF | ||
A list of all Aces from our database who are known to have flown with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking the pilots name. | ||
Name | Victories | Info |
Colin Falkland Gray | 27.50 | |
Alan Christopher Deere | 22.00 | The signature of Alan Christopher Deere features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
D A P McMullen | 19.00 | |
Ernest James Salter | 9.00 | |
George Henry Hackwill | 9.00 | |
Francis Mansel Kitto | 9.00 | |
Reginald Stuart Maxwell | 9.00 | |
Bob Foster | 7.00 | The signature of Bob Foster features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
Henry Hollingdrake Maddocks | 7.00 | |
Oliver Manners Sutton | 7.00 | |
Frank Neville Hudson | 6.00 | |
William Victor Strugnell | 6.00 | |
Michael Edward Gonne | 5.00 | |
George Arthur Hyde | 5.00 | |
Oliver Stewart | 5.00 |