No. 20 Squadron RAF

No. 20 Squadron RAF is a squadron of the Royal Air Force, currently serving as a multi-engine training unit. It is one of the oldest squadrons in the RAF, having been formed during the First World War. Throughout its long history, the squadron has operated a wide variety of aircraft in roles ranging from fighter and army cooperation to bomber and transport duties.

History

No. 20 Squadron was formed at RAF Netheravon on 1 September 1915, initially equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2 for service on the Western Front. The unit transitioned to the Bristol F.2 Fighter in 1917, achieving considerable success in air-to-air combat and reconnaissance missions over France and Flanders. During the interwar period, the squadron was stationed in India, conducting policing operations on the North-West Frontier. In the Second World War, it flew the Hawker Hurricane and later the Supermarine Spitfire in the Burma campaign, providing crucial ground-attack and tactical reconnaissance support for the Fourteenth Army. Post-war, the squadron saw action during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation while based in the Far East Air Force. After a period operating the Hawker Hunter and English Electric Canberra, it was disbanded in 1970, only to be reformed later for training duties, first on the Hawker Siddeley Dominie and now on the Beechcraft King Air.

Aircraft operated

The squadron's operational history is reflected in its diverse fleet. Early aircraft included the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and the F.E.2 before its primary success with the Bristol F.2 Fighter. The interwar years saw service with the Airco DH.9A and the Westland Wapiti in British India. Its Second World War combat effectiveness was built on the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire, particularly the photo-reconnaissance Spitfire PR Mk XI. In the jet age, the squadron operated the de Havilland Vampire, the Gloster Meteor, and the English Electric Canberra B.2 and PR.7. For training, it has utilized the Hawker Siddeley Dominie T.1 and currently flies the twin-engine Beechcraft King Air B200, designated the King Air T.1 in RAF service.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished aviators have served with the squadron. Among its early commanders was Major Robert Loraine, a pioneering pilot and actor. High-scoring aces from the First World War include Captain Cyril Crowe and Lieutenant Frank Hale, both of whom achieved multiple victories in the Bristol F.2 Fighter. During the Second World War, notable commanders were Squadron Leader John Grandy, who later became Marshal of the Royal Air Force, and Squadron Leader Denys Gillam, a renowned fighter leader. The esteemed Battle of Britain pilot, Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson VC, also served with the squadron early in his career before his heroic actions with No. 249 Squadron RAF.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron's official badge, approved by King George VI in 1936, features a heraldic sun in splendour, symbolizing its service in the sunny climes of India. The motto "Facta Non Verba" translates to "Deeds Not Words". For many years, its aircraft carried a distinctive fuselage flash of two light blue bands separated by a white band. During its time in the Far East, its Hawker Hunters were marked with a unique black and white chequerboard pattern on the tail fin, a highly recognizable feature. The squadron's English Electric Canberra aircraft often displayed a small sun symbol near the cockpit, a nod to its official badge.

Bases and deployments

The squadron's first home was RAF Netheravon before deploying to Saint-Omer in France. A lengthy posting to RAF Risalpur and RAF Peshawar in British India defined the interwar period. Second World War operations were conducted from various airfields in India and Burma, including Alipore and Baigachi. Post-war, it was based at RAF Tengah in Singapore and RAF Bruggen in West Germany. After reformation for training, it operated from RAF Finningley and RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Since 2020, the squadron has been based at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire, where it continues its training role under No. 3 Flying Training School.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1915