No. 51 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operate the Nimrod R1 from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire.

History

Formed at Thetford, Norfolk, 51 Squadron flew B.E.2 and B.E.12 aircraft. The Squadron's primary role during the First World War was defence of the UK against German Zeppelin raids. It also used the Avro 504K to give night flying training to new pilots. The squadron disbanded in 1919.

The squadron was reborn when part of 158 squadron was renumbered as 51 squadron in March 1937, flying Virginias and Ansons. At this time the squadron badge was being chosen and a Goose was chosen as a play on words: the squadron was flying the Anson and the Latin for Goose is Anser. It was also appropriate for a bomber unit to has a heavy wild fowl to represent it.

51 squadron dropped leaflets over Germany on the very first night of the Second World War, using the Whitley aircraft; bombs replaced leaflets in early 1940. A brief period as part of Coastal Command patroling against the U-Boats in the Bay of Biscay preceded the re-equipment with the Halifax in 1942. 51 spent the rest of the war in Europe flying as part of the main Bomber Command offensive against the Nazis.

The squadron became part of Transport Command with Stirlings and later Yorks following the end of the european war, transporting men and material to India and the far east. The squadron disbanded in 1950, after taking part in the Berlin Airlift.

Current Role

The squadron again reformed in the 'Special Duties' role due to the renumbering of No 192. Squadron RAF at RAF Watton in August 1958, later moving to nearby Wyton. It was only after the end of the Cold War that the electronic intelligence role of the squadron was publically recognised. The squadron flew this role using Comets and Canberras, the former being replaced by a modified Nimrod in 1974. The Canberras were retired from service in 1976.

After the squadron's base of RAF Wyton closed, it moved to Waddington in the early 1990s. Even though the maritime patrol Nimrod is due to be upgraded to MRA4 standard, the R1 will not be replaced, due to the much lower airframe fatigue they have suffered.

The squadron has taken part in most operations the British armed forces have been involved with in recent years, including the Falklands War, the first Gulf War, operations in Kosovo and the war in Iraq in 2003.

RAF Nimrod squadrons

R.1

• No. 51 Squadron RAF

MR.2

• No. 42(Reserve) Squadron - Nimrod OCU
• No. 120 Squadron
• No. 201 Squadron
• No. 206 Squadron

Previous Aircraft Operated

• BE2
• BE12
• Avro 504K
• Virginia
• Avro Anson
• Whitley
• Halifax
• Short Stirling
• Avro York
• de Havilland Comet
• English Electric Canberra

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
• No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment

References

• RAF website
• 51 Squadron website