No. XXXV Squadron RAF

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=No. XXXV (Madras Presidency) Squadron RAF


caption=XXXV Squadron crest.
country=United Kingdom
branch=Royal Air Force
command_structure=
equipment=
garrison=
garrison_label=Base
motto= "Uno animo agimus"
Latin: "We act with one accord"

dates=February 1, 1916 - June 26, 1919
March 1, 1929 - March 1, 1982
battle_honours=

No. XXXV (Madras Presidency) or 35 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on February 1, 1916 at Thetford as a reconnaissance squadron equipped with the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8. In January 1917 the unit moved to France, re-equipping with Bristol Fighters in the later part of 1918, before returning to Netheravon in March 1919 and then disbanding on June 26, 1919.

On March 1, 1929 the squadron reformed at Bircham Newton, and was equipped with De Havilland DH9s, later the squadron re-equipped with the Fairey III and then Fairey Gordons. The squadron was posted to the Sudan in late 1935, returning to Worthy Down in August 1936, and re-equipping with the Vickers Wellesley. In April 1938 the squadron converted to the Fairey Battle and then Avro Ansons and Bristol Blenheims in 1939. The squadron disbanded after being absorbed into No. 17 OTU along with No. 90 Squadron at Upwood, on April 8, 1940.

It reformed on November 5, 1940 at Boscombe Down as the first Handley Page Halifax equipped squadron. In August 1942 it became a pathfinder unit, forming part of No. 8 Group at Graveley. In March 1944 the squadron re-equipped with the Avro Lancaster.

During 1946 the squadron participated in a goodwill tour of the United States, later returning to Stradishall, due to Graveley's closure. The Lancasters were replaced by Avro Lincolns in September 1949, and the squadron later disbanded on February 23, 1950.

On September 1, 1951 the squadron reformed at Marham equipped with the Boeing Washington, and in April 1954 the squadron re-equipped with the English Electric Canberra. The squadron disbanded on September 11, 1961.

The squadron reformed on December 1, 1962 as part of the V-Bomber force, equipped with the Avro Vulcan operating from Coningsby and then Cottesmore from November 1964. In January 1969 the squadron moved to Cyprus, returning to Scampton in January 1975, where it later disbanded on March 1, 1982.

References

*http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn031-35.htm
* [http://freespace.virgin.net/paul.hunt3/units/35Sq.html No. 35 Squadron history]
*http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/h35.html

External links

*http://worldwar2exraf.co.uk/Squadron%20Pages/35%20Squadron.htm
*http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/archie_bombercommand/35squadron.html

See also

*List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons