Caption: Spitfire MkVc RAF 91Sqn DLZ AB216 lined up at Hawkinge May 1942 IWM CH5429

 Caption: Spitfire MkVc RAF 91Sqn DLZ Nigeria Oyo Province AB216 Sqn Ldr RW Oxspring at Hawkinge Kent IWM CH5444

 Caption: Spitfire XIV RAF 91Sqn at West Malling Kent 1944-45

 Caption: Spitfire XIV RAF 91Sqn JEJ MV268 airworthy warbird

RAF No 91 (Nigeria) Squadron

RAF No 91 (Nigeria) Squadron

Motto:

Squadron Codes: DL

Duty Reconnaissance Squadron 1941 | Fighter Squadron 1941-45

No 88 Squadron BadgeFormed on 24 July 1917 at Gosport but it was early 1918 before it received its equipment of Bristol Fighter, which it took to France in April 1918. It operated in the fighter reconnaissance role but also took a very active part in offensive missions and by the end of the war was credited with the destruction of 164 enemy aircraft. It operated in the Dunkirk area for the whole of the war until it moved to Belgium on 18 November 1918, where it disbanded on 10 August 1919.

World War I

The squadron was initially formed in September 1917 at RAF Spitalgate but had moved to Chattis Hill within the month to undertake Wireless Telegraphy training. The squadron number was then reallocated in July 1918 to a fighter squadron being formed at RAF Kenley. The new squadron was intended to be equipped with Sopwith Dolphins but never became operational in time and was moved to Lopscombe Corner and disbanded in July 1919.

World War II

In January 1941 the squadron was reformed from 421 (Reconnaissance) Flight and based at RAF Hawkinge, Kent equipped with Spitfires, carrying out weather reconnaissance and Air Sea Rescue operations. In April 1944 they were upgraded to Spitfire XIIs which proved very successful in intercepting the low-flying Focke-Wulf 190s. They also flew reconnaissance missions over northern France and later concentrated on bomber escort duties. In March 1944 the squadron was assigned to the Second Tactical Air Force and flew tactical sweeps over the Normandy landing zones. Later in the year, now based at RAF West Malling, Kent and equipped with the faster Spitfire XIVs they were deployed to combat the V-1 flying-bomb attacks (Capitaine Jean Maridor was blown up in mid-air when he got in too close to shoot a V-1 down [1]). In April 1945 the squadron relocated to East Anglia to carry out reconnaissance missions and searches for midget submarines off the coast of Holland and Belgium.

Post-war

After the war the Squadron moved to RAF Duxford and in October 1946 converted to Gloster Meteors. It was renumbered 92 Squadron in January 1947.

No 91 (Nigeria) Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force but is no longer operational. The name acknowledges the contribution made by Nigeria to the cost of the squadron's aeroplanes.

World War I

A 91 squadron was initially formed in September 1917 at RAF Spitalgate but had moved to Chattis Hill within the month to undertake wireless telegraphy training. The squadron number was then reallocated in July 1918 to a fighter squadron being formed at RAF Kenley. The new squadron was intended to be equipped with Sopwith Dolphins but never became operational in time and was moved to Lopcombe Corner near Salisbury, and disbanded in July 1919.

World War II

Pilots of No. 91 Squadron are debriefed following a patrol to intercept V-1 flying bombs in the weeks after D-Day

In January 1941 the squadron was reformed from No. 421 (Reconnaissance) Flight and based at RAF Hawkinge, Kent equipped with Spitfires, carrying out weather reconnaissance and Air Sea Rescue operations. In April 1943 the Squadron moved to RAF Kings Cliffe where they converted on to the Spitfire XII, the first Griffon engined Spitfires, before returning south. The new, more powerful, Spitfire proved very successful in intercepting the low-flying Focke-Wulf 190s. They also flew reconnaissance missions over northern France and later concentrated on bomber escort duties. In March 1944 the squadron was assigned to the Second Tactical Air Force and flew tactical sweeps over the Normandy landing zones. Later in the year, now based at RAF West Malling, Kent and equipped with the faster Spitfire XIVs they were deployed to combat the V-1 flying-bomb attacks (Capitaine Jean Maridor was blown up in mid-air when he got in too close to shoot a V-1 down).From January 1945 the Squadron began to replace its Spitfire LF Mk.IX aircraft with the more modern Griffon powered Mk.XXI, being the first of two squadrons (The other being No.1 Squadron RAF) to use this variant operationally before the end of the war. In April 1945 the squadron relocated to East Anglia to carry out reconnaissance missions and searches for midget submarines off the coast of the Netherlands and Belgium.

Post-war

After the war the Squadron moved to RAF Duxford and in October 1946 converted to Gloster Meteors. It was renumbered 92 Squadron in January 1947.

Aircraft Operated

The Squadron has operated a wide array of aircraft throughout the years, including:

Aircraft Operated by RAF No. 91 Squadron

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIA (October 1940)

Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIA (October - November 1940)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIA (November 1940 - May 1941)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VB (May 1941 - May 1943)

Supermarine Spitfire Spitfire Mk.VI (June 1942 - Unknown)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XII (May 1943 - March 1944)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV (March - August 1944)

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.IX (August 1944 - January 1945)

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XXI (January 1945 - October 1946)

Gloster Meteor Mk.3 (October 1946 - January 1947)

Aircraft bases Operated by RAF No. 91 Squadron

From	To	Base
January 1941	November 1942	Hawkinge
November 1942	January 1944	Lympne
January 1944	April 1944	Hawkinge
April 1944	May 1944	Honiley
May 1944	June 1944	Kings Cliffe
May 1944	June 1944	Hawkinge
June 1944	October 1944	Westhampnett
October 1944	February 1945	Tangmere
February 1945	February 1945	Hutton Cranswick
February 1945	March 1945	Castle Camps
March 1945	April 1945	Drem
April 1945	July 1945	West Malling
July 1945	October 1945	Deanland
October 1945	October 1945	Biggin Hill
October 1945	April 1946	Manston
April 1946	April 1946	Ludham