No. 529 Squadron RAF was a radar calibration unit of the

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. The unit had the distinction to be the only RAF unit to fly autogyros and helicopters operationally during World War II.

History

No. 529 Squadron was formed on 15 June 1943 from No. 1448 Flight at

RAF Halton Royal Air Force Halton, or more simply RAF Halton, is one of the largest Royal Air Force stations in the United Kingdom. It is located near the village of Halton near Wendover, Buckinghamshire. The site has been in use since the First World W ...

. This flight under the experienced rotary aircraft pilot Squadron Leader

Alan Marsh Henry Alan Marsh Air Force Cross (United Kingdom), AFC Royal Aeronautical Society, AFRAeS (29 January 1901 – 13 June 1950) was a British rotorcraft instructor and test pilot. Early life Alan Marsh was born in Stratton, Dorset. In 1917, he comp ...

had pioneered radar calibration using

Autogyro An autogyro (from Greek and , "self-turning"), also known as a ''gyroplane'', is a type of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. Forward thrust is provided independently, by an engine-driven propeller. Whi ...

s and light aircraft and the squadron continued to do this until after the end of World War II. On 16 August 1944 the squadron moved to a field at Crazies Farm, Henley-on-Thames and on that field they became the first RAF squadron to fly a helicopter for operational use, when they received their first Vought-Sikorsky Hoverfly. It was disbanded on 20 October 1945 at

RAF Henley-on-Thames Royal Air Force Henley-on-Thames or more simply RAF Henley-on-Thames is a former Royal Air Force relief landing ground in Berkshire, England, located near Henley-on-Thames. It was also known by a variety of other names: Cockpole Green, Uppe ...

Aircraft operated

Squadron bases

References

Notes

Bibliography

* * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:No. 529 Squadron Raf Aircraft squadrons of the Royal Air Force in World War II 529 Squadron Military units and formations established in 1943 Military units and formations disestablished in 1945