No. 602 Squadron RAF

602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron is a Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron.[10] Originally formed in 1925 as a light bomber squadron, its role changed in 1938 to army co-operation and in 1939 to that of a fighter squadron.

602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron RAuxAF
No. 602 Squadron badge with Edinburgh Castle Lion heraldry and crown of King George during WWII.
Active12 September 1925 – 15 July 1945
10 May 1946 – 10 March 1957
1 July 2006 – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Auxiliary Air Force
RoleGeneral Service Support Squadron
Part ofNo. 1 Group RAF
HeadquartersKings Park, Glasgow (present)
Nickname(s)"Glasgow's Own"
Motto(s)Latin: Cave leonem cruciatum
(Translation: "Beware the crossed lion")[1][2]
ColoursGrey Douglas tartan
Battle honoursHome Defence, 1940–1945
Battle of Britain, 1940
Fortress Europe, 1940–1944
Channel and North Sea, 1940–1943
Dieppe
France and Germany, 1944–1945
Normandy,1944
These honours are those emblazoned on the squadron standard.
Commanders
Current
commander		 Acting Sqn Ldr L P Bryden RAF
Honorary Air Commodore (HAC)Charles Berry BSc MSc DEng
Notable
commanders		Sandy Johnstone, Al Deere, Paddy Finucane
Insignia
Squadron BadgeIn front of a saltire, a lion rampant[3]The lion was adopted in view of the squadron's association with Scotland and the saltire to represent the cross of St Andrew, being fimbriated to show it as a white saltire on a blue background.[1][2][4]
Squadron CodesZT (May 1939 – Sep 1939)[5]
LO (Jan 1939 – May 1939[6]
Sep 1939 – May 1945,[7] 1949 – 1953)[8]
RAI (May 1946 – 1949)[9]

During the Second World War, the squadron flew Spitfires and took part in the Battle of Britain. After the war, the squadron was reinstated as a fighter squadron within the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, until all these units disbanded in March 1957.

Reformed on 1 July 2006, the Squadron assumed the ISTAR mission support role formerly held by the Mission Support Element (MSE) of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron. In this role the squadron provided flight operations and intelligence support to the RAF at home and overseas, first from Edinburgh before returning to its home city of Glasgow in August 2008.

The squadron underwent a transformation between 2012 and 2014 as it took on more diverse branches and trades and moved under the command of AOC 1 Group, reporting through the UK Joint Force Air Component and Headquarters 1 Group Reserves. At the end of 2014 the squadron moved its headquarters to the Reserve Centre in the King's Park area on the south side of Glasgow. It was later confirmed as a 1 Group General Service Support (GSS) Squadron and, along with the other 1 Group GSS Squadrons, moved from auspices of the UK Joint Force Air Component to sit under the 1* Commandant Air & Space Warfare Centre.

Formation and early years

The squadron was formed at RAF Renfrew on 15 September 1925 as a light bomber squadron in the Auxiliary Air Force, and initially equipped with Airco DH.9As. These were replaced by Fairey Fawns in 1927, Westland Wapitis in 1929, Hawker Harts in 1934 and finally Hawker Hinds in 1936.

The squadron continued in the light bomber role until 1 November 1938 when it was redesignated as an Army Co-operation unit. This did not last long, and on 14 January 1939 the squadron became a fighter squadron. It received Hawker Hectors in November, but was re-equipped with Gloster Gauntlets on conversion to a fighter role. These were short-lived, as Spitfires arrived in May 1939.[11]

Second World War

Like 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, 602 Squadron spent the early part of the war and Battle of Britain on defensive duties in Scotland. In August 1940, it moved south to join the battle, returning to Scotland in December. It moved south again in July 1941, remaining for a year before returning north. Another move came in January 1943, this time to the southwest, where in April it joined the newly forming 2nd Tactical Air Force. It briefly returned to Scotland from January to March 1944, when it returned south prior to taking part in the invasion of Europe.

From the end of June 1944, it operated from advance airfields in Normandy following the Army's advance into Belgium until September, when it returned from Antwerp to the UK. From RAF Coltishall flying Spitfire XVIs it carried out operations against V2 sites in the Netherlands over an area ranging from The Hook to Den Helder, until disbanding on 15 May 1945 at Coltishall.

Among No. 602's pilots was Raymond Baxter, later to become well known on television as a presenter of the BBC TV series Tomorrow's World. Pierre Clostermann served as a pilot officer in the squadron in 1943 and 1944.[12]

  • ‘Paddy’ Finucane on top of his Spitfire Mk Vb (BM124) LO-W, "QUEEN of SALOTE", while in command of No.602 Squadron at RAF Redhill, early 1942.

Post-war

With the reactivation of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, No 602 was reformed on 10 May 1946 at RAF Abbotsinch as a day fighter squadron. It was initially equipped with Spitfire F.14s and later with F.21s and F.22s, until January 1951 when Vampire FB.5s were received. It also acquired some F.3s in August 1953, which it flew alongside the FB.5s until February 1954. FB.9s arrived in November 1954 and the squadron continued to fly both types (FB.5 and FB.9s) until, along with all the flying units of the RAuxAF, it was disbanded on 10 March 1957.

Present role

As part of the new Royal Air Force Reserves umbrella organisation encompassing both the RAuxAF and RAFR, No 602 Squadron was reformed on 1 July 2006 when the mission support element of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Sqn was separated to form a new unit. As detailed above, it first provided operational support to the RAF Air Traffic Management Force, in the UK as well as to other deployed locations as needed before transforming as part of No 1 Group to become a General Service Support Squadron with approximately 20 branches and trades. The Squadron Mission is to generate, develop, sustain and retain trained volunteer Reservists prepared to deploy within the UK and overseas in support of the RAF. Since 2012 some 39 individual deployments have included support to the RAF as far north as RAF Lossiemouth and as far south as the National Air Traffic Control Centre Swanwick as well as many other units in the UK. Additionally, personnel have deployed to Cyprus, Iraq, Qatar, the Falkland Islands, Malaysia and Singapore, Gibraltar and Oman.

The Squadron trains ab initio recruits in the basics of RAF service before they go on to specialise in their chosen branch or trade. The Squadron also recruits ex-Regular Subject Matter Experts (SME) who bring a huge range of skills which can be deployed in support of the Whole Force with little or no additional training.

Moray Flight of No. 602 Squadron was established in 2013 at RAF Lossiemouth and staffed entirely with SMEs to support NATO maritime patrol aircraft and the UK Maritime Air Operations Centre when deployed to the airfield. The unit is also supporting the introduction of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon at Lossiemouth.[13] Moray Flight detach from 602 Squadron and become part of RAF Lossiemouth over late 2020 and early 2021.

Aircraft operated
Aircraft operated by No 602 Squadron RAF[14][15][16][17]-
From To Aircraft Version
October 1925January 1928Airco DH.9DH.9A
September 1927September 1929Fairey Fawn
July 1929April 1934Westland WapitiMk.IIa
February 1934June 1936Hawker Hart
June 1936January 1939Hawker Hind
November 1938January 1939Hawker HectorMk.I
January 1939May 1939Gloster GauntletMk.II
May 1939June 1941Supermarine SpitfireMk.I
May 1941August 1941Supermarine SpitfireMk.IIa
August 1941September 1943Supermarine SpitfireMk.Vb
September 1942October 1942Supermarine SpitfireMk.Va
September 1942October 1942Supermarine SpitfireMk.VI
October 1942April 1943Supermarine SpitfireMk.Vc
September 1943January 1944Supermarine SpitfireMk.IXb
January 1944March 1944Supermarine SpitfireLF.Vb
March 1944August 1944Supermarine SpitfireMk.IXb
August 1944September 1944Supermarine SpitfireMk.IXe
September 1944November 1944Supermarine SpitfireMk.IXb
November 1944May 1945Supermarine SpitfireMk. XVI
August 1946August 1947Supermarine SpitfireF.14
April 1947May 1951Supermarine SpitfireF.21
June 1948January 1951Supermarine SpitfireF.22
January 1951March 1957de Havilland VampireFB.5
August 1953February 1954de Havilland VampireF.3
November 1954March 1957de Havilland VampireFB.9

Commanding officers
Officers Commanding No 602 Squadron RAF[18]
From To Name
September 1925February 1926Sqn Ldr C.N. Lowe, MC, DFC
February 1926May 1928Sqn Ldr J.D. Latta, MC
May 1928[19]June 1931Sqn Ldr J. Fullerton
June 1931June 1936Sqn Ldr Lord Clydesdale, AFC
June 1936[20]October 1937Sqn Ldr D.F. McIntyre, AFC
October 1937[21]March 1940Sqn Ldr A.D. Farquhar, DFC
March 1940July 1940Sqn Ldr G. Pinkerton, DFC
July 1940June 1941Sqn Ldr A.V.R. Johnstone, DFC
June 1941August 1941Sqn Ldr P.E. Meagher
August 1941January 1942Sqn Ldr A.C. Deere, DFC & Bar
January 1942June 1942Sqn Ldr B.E. Finucane, DSO, DFC & Bar
June 1942October 1942Sqn Ldr P.M. Brothers, DFC
October 1942October 1943Sqn Ldr M.F. Beytagh, DFC
October 1943July 1944Sqn Ldr R.A. Sutherland
July 1944August 1944Sqn Ldr J.J. Le Roux, DFC & 2 Bars
August 1944September 1944Sqn Ldr A.R. Stewart
September 1944May 1945Sqn Ldr R.A. Sutherland, DFC
May 19461950Sqn Ldr M. Robinson, AFC
19501952Sqn Ldr H.M. Stephen, DSO, DFC
1952December 1953Sqn Ldr J.A. Forrest
December 19531956Sqn Ldr R.B. Davidson, DFC
1956March 1957Sqn Ldr C.D. Bartman
20062012Sqn Ldr G. Lyall AE
2012PresentSqn Ldr A McCallum

Squadron airfields
Airfields used by No 602 Squadron RAF, data from[14][16][17][22]
From To Station
12 September 192520 January 1933RAF Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Scotland
20 January 19337 October 1939RAF Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire, Scotland
7 October 193913 October 1939RAF Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, Scotland
13 October 193914 April 1940RAF Drem, East Lothian, Scotland
14 April 194028 May 1940RAF Dyce, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
28 May 194013 August 1940RAF Drem, East Lothian, Scotland
13 August 194017 December 1940RAF Westhampnett, West Sussex
17 December 194015 April 1941RAF Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland
15 April 194110 July 1941RAF Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland
10 July 194114 January 1942RAF Kenley, Surrey
14 January 19424 March 1942RAF Redhill, Surrey
4 March 194213 May 1942RAF Kenley, Surrey
13 May 194217 July 1942RAF Redhill, Surrey
17 July 194216 August 1942RAF Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
16 August 194220 August 1942RAF Biggin Hill, Kent
20 August 194210 September 1942RAF Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
10 September 194220 January 1943RAF Skaebrae, Orkney Islands, Scotland
20 January 194314 April 1943RAF Perranporth, Cornwall
14 April 194329 April 1943RAF Lasham, Hampshire
29 April 19431 June 1943RAF Fairlop, Essex
1 June 19431 July 1943RAF Bognor, West Sussex
1 July 194313 August 1943RAF Kingsnorth, Kent
13 August 194312 October 1943RAF Newchurch, Kent
12 October 194318 January 1944RAF Detling, Kent
18 January 194412 March 1944RAF Skeabrae, Orkney Islands, Scotland
From To Base
12 March 194413 March 1944RAF Detling, Kent
13 March 194420 March 1944RAF Llanbedr, Gwynedd, Wales
20 March 194418 April 1944RAF Detling, Kent
18 April 194425 June 1944RAF Ford, West Sussex
25 June 194413 August 1944B.11/Longues-sur-Mer, France
13 August 19442 September 1944B.19/Lingèvres, France
2 September 19445 September 1944B.40/Nivillers, France
5 September 194417 September 1944B.52/Douai, France
17 September 194429 September 1944B.70/Deurne, Belgium
29 September 194418 October 1944RAF Coltishall, Norfolk
18 October 194420 November 1944RAF Matlaske, Norfolk
20 November 194419 February 1945RAF Swannington, Norfolk
19 February 194523 February 1945RAF Coltishall, Norfolk
23 February 19455 April 1945RAF Ludham, Norfolk
5 April 194515 May 1945RAF Coltishall, Norfolk
10 May 194630 July 1949RAF Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire, Scotland
30 July 194915 April 1951RAF Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Scotland
15 April 195114 July 1951RAF Leuchars, Fife, Scotland
14 July 195115 April 1952RAF Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire, Scotland
15 April 195218 June 1954RAF Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Scotland
18 June 195410 March 1957RAF Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire, Scotland
1 July 200627 October 2007Combined HQ with 603 Sqn, Edinburgh, Scotland
27 October 2007November 2014Avenuepark Street, Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland
November 2014PresentKings Park, Glasgow, Scotland

References

Notes
  1. Moyes 1976, p. 273.
  2. Rawlings 1978, p. 477.
  3. Halley 1988, p. 418.
  4. "602 Squadron". Royal Air Force. 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  5. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 14.
  6. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 50.
  7. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 68.
  8. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 153.
  9. Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, p. 138.
  10. Barrass, M. B. (2015). "No. 600–604 Squadron Histories". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  11. Nancarrow 1942, p. 11.
  12. Clostermann, Pierre. The Big Show. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2004. ISBN 0-297-84619-1.
  13. "602 Sqn - Moray Flight, Kipper Corner". Lossie Lighthouse. Forces and Corporate Publishing Ltd. April 2017. p. 40. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  14. Moyes 1976, p. 274.
  15. Rawlings 1978, pp. 479–480.
  16. Halley 1988, p. 419.
  17. Jefford 2001, p. 99.
  18. Rawlings 1978, p. 480.
  19. McRoberts 1985, p. 24.
  20. Hunt 1972, pp. 20–21.
  21. McRoberts 1985, pp. 44–45.
  22. Rawlings 1978, p. 479.

Bibliography
  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Cameron, Dugald (1987). Glasgow's own: History of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron. Glasgow, Scotland: Squadron Prints.
  • Deere, Alan (1959). Nine Lives. London: Hodder. (republished in 1969 by Coronet, 1991 by Wingham Press and last in 2004 by Crécy Publishing; Autobiographical 1941–43).
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Hunt, Leslie (1972). Twenty-One Squadrons: The History of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 1925–1957. London: Garnstone Press. ISBN 0-85511-110-0.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Johnstone, Air Vice Marshal A.V.R. "Sandy" (1979) [1976]. Enemy in the Sky. Presidio press. ISBN 0-89141-086-4.
  • McRoberts, Douglas (1985). Lions Rampant: the Story of 602 Spitfire squadron. London: William Kimber. ISBN 0-7183-0572-8.
  • Moyes, Philip J.R. (1976). Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN 0-354-01027-1.
  • Nancarrow, F.G. (1942). Glasgow's fighter squadron: 602 Squadron RAF. London and Glasgow: Collins.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Rawlings, John (1978) [1969]. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft (Revised ed.). London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
  • Robinson, Anthony (1999) [1987]. RAF Squadrons in the Battle of Britain. London: Brockhampton Press. ISBN 1-86019-907-0.
  • Rowland, David (2000). Spitfires over Sussex: The Exploits of 602 Squadron. Finsbury Publishing. ISBN 0-9539392-0-0.
  • Smith, Richard C. (2003). Al Deere: Wartime Fighter Pilot, Peacetime Commander: The Authorised Biography. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-904010-48-2.
  • Stokes, Doug (1992) [1983]. Paddy Finucane, Fighter Ace: A Biography of Wing Commander Brendan E. Finucane, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Two Bars. Somerton, Somerset: Crécy Publishing. ISBN 0-947554-22-X.
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