No. 511 Squadron RAF

No. 511 Squadron RAF was a Transport Command unit of the Royal Air Force primarily engaged in long-range passenger and freight transport duties. Initially formed during the Second World War, it operated a variety of four-engined aircraft on vital global routes, including the prestigious Prime Ministerial run. After a brief post-war disbandment, the squadron was reformed and served for nearly three decades during the Cold War, transitioning to modern jet aircraft before its final dissolution in the 1970s.

History

No. 511 Squadron was formed on **10 October 1942** at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire from the long-range transport element of the former No. 1425 Flight RAF. Its primary wartime role was operating the Consolidated Liberator and later the Avro York on strategic transport routes, notably between the United Kingdom and India via North Africa and the Middle East. The squadron's duties were critical to the Allied war effort, transporting high-priority cargo, diplomats, and military personnel. Following Victory in Europe Day, the squadron continued its global operations but was disbanded on **15 January 1946** at RAF Holmsley South.

The squadron was reformed on **21 June 1946** at RAF Bassingbourn, absorbing the resources of the Atlantic Ferry Service and re-establishing its role as RAF Transport Command's premier long-range passenger unit. It pioneered the United Kingdom to New York City scheduled service with Avro Lancastrian and later Avro Tudor aircraft. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, it transitioned through several aircraft types, supporting British Army deployments, Colonial Office requirements, and trooping flights to locations like Aden and Singapore. The squadron was finally disbanded on **30 October 1975** at RAF Brize Norton, marking the end of the Handley Page Hastings in RAF service.

Aircraft operated

From its inception, the squadron operated large, multi-engined aircraft suitable for intercontinental travel. Its initial equipment included the Consolidated Liberator Mk.III and Mk.VI, supplemented by the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle for training. Its primary wartime transport became the Avro York C.1 from 1944. Upon reformation, it used the Avro Lancastrian C.2, followed by the problematic Avro Tudor V. It later operated the Handley Page Hastings C.1, C.2, and C.4 from 1950 until its disbandment, a period spanning over two decades. For a short period in the late 1960s, it also flew the jet-powered Bristol Britannia C.2, providing a significant increase in speed and capacity on its global routes.

Squadron bases

The squadron was associated with several key Royal Air Force stations throughout its history. It formed and was initially based at RAF Lyneham. During the war, it also operated detachments from RAF Portreath and RAF Dorval in Canada. Its main base from 1944 was RAF Holmsley South in Hampshire until disbandment. Upon reformation in 1946, it was based at RAF Bassingbourn before moving to RAF Lyneham again in 1948. Its final and longest-standing home was RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where it relocated in 1950 and remained until its final disbandment in 1975, sharing the base with other transport squadrons like No. 99 Squadron RAF.

Commanding officers

The squadron was led by a succession of experienced transport and bomber pilots. Its first Commanding officer was Squadron Leader **J. H. T. Foxton** from its formation in October 1942. Notable wartime commanders included Wing Commander **R. G. T. Mee**, who oversaw the introduction of the Avro York. Post-war commanders included Wing Commander **J. H. H. Lees**, who led the squadron during its reformation and establishment of transatlantic services. Later commanders, such as Wing Commander **D. R. M. 'Paddy' Menaul**, who later became Commandant of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, and Wing Commander **J. A. G. Knight**, guided the squadron through the Cold War era operating the Handley Page Hastings.

Notable personnel

Several individuals who served with No. 511 Squadron achieved distinction. Squadron Leader **M. H. B. 'Mike' Giddings** was awarded the Air Force Cross for his service. The squadron also carried numerous notable passengers, including Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who used its Avro York (named *Ascalon*) for several key journeys to international conferences such as Yalta and Tehran. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery was another frequent passenger on squadron aircraft during the immediate post-war period.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1942 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1975