501 Squadron

 

The Real 501 Squadron

The Squadron was formed as an Auxillary Reserve Bomber Squadron at Filton near

Bristol in 1929. It was reassigned as a fighter unit in 1938. It was stationed at the

following bases in WWII.

Filton 03/09/1939 flying................................... Hurricane MkI

Tangmere 27/11/1939....................................... Hurricane MkI

Bethieneville (France) 11/05/1940.................... Hurricane MkI

Dinard ( France ) 1940.......................................Hurricane MkI

Croydon 21/06/1940............................................Hurricane MkI

Middle Wallop 04/07/1940.................................Hurricane MkI

Gravesend 25/07/1940........................................Hurricane MkI

Kenley 10/09/1940...............................................Hurricane MkI

Filton 17/12/1940...............................................Hurricane MkI

Colerne 09/04/1941.................................................Spitfire MkI

Chilbolton 25/06/1941.........................................Spitfire MkIIa

Ibsley 05/08/1941..................Spitfire MkVb and Spitfire MkVc

Tangmere 03/07/1942.............................................Spitfire MkV

Ibsley 07/07/1942....................................................Spitfire MkV

Middle Wallop 24/08/1942.....................................Spitfire MkV

Ballyhalbert 19/10/1942.........................................Spitfire MkV

Westhampnett 30/04/1943.......................................Spitfire MkV

Martlesham Heath 17/05/1943...............................Spitfire MkV

Woodvale 05/06/1943..............................................Spitfire MkV

Westhampnett 12/06/1943......................................Spitfire MkV

Hawkinge 21/06/1943...........................................Spitfire MkIX

Firston 30/04/1944................................................Spitfire MkIX

Westhampnett 02/07/1944......................................Spitfire MkIX

Manston 02/08/1944..............................................Tempest MkV

Bradwell Bay 22/09/1944......................................Tempest MkV

Hunsdon 03/03/1945.............................................Tempest MkV

Disbanded 20/04/1945.

Reformed as auxillary unit in 1946 finally disbanded in 1967.

 

The Squadron Crest you can see at the top of the page.

The squadron plane markings were "SD" as per the standard RAF markings