Number 43 Squadron, nicknamed the Fighting Cocks, was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron originally formed in April 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It saw distinguished service during two world wars, producing numerous "aces". The squadron last operated the Panavia Tornado F3 from RAF Leuchars, Scotland, in the air defence role, until it was disbanded in July 2009.

History

First World War

left|thumb|[[Sopwith Snipe E8015 of No. 43 Squadron, late 1918.]]

The squadron was formed at Stirling, Scotland, on 15 April 1916, from No. 18 Reserve Squadron

The squadron received Sopwith Snipe in August 1918 and conversion was completed in October, but the Armistice prevented these playing a major part in the conflict, instead they were taken to Germany for occupation duties until August 1919, when the squadron moved to RAF Spitalgate and was disbanded on 31 December 1919.

During the course of the war, ten aces served in the squadron, including Henry Woollett, Cecil Frederick King, John Lightfoot Trollope, Geoffrey Bailey, Harold Balfour, Charles C. Banks, Hector Daniel, George Lingham, and John Womersley, all surviving the war. (Robert Johnstone Owen).

Between the wars

The squadron was re-formed at RAF Henlow, Bedfordshire, on 1 July 1925, (or 1 July 1923), once again equipped with Sopwith Snipes. The squadron flew Armstrong Whitworth Siskins from 1928 and received the first production Hawker Fury Mk.I in May 1931.

Second World War

left|thumb|[[Supermarine Spitfire|Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc JK101 of No. 43 Squadron at Jemmapes, Algeria.]]

Prior to the outbreak of World War II the squadron re-equipped with Hawker Hurricane Mk.Is.

On 3 February 1940, three No. 43 Squadron Hurricanes based at RAF Acklington intercepted and shot down a Luftwaffe Heinkel He 111 bomber at Whitby. The formation was led by Flight Lieutenant Peter Townsend. The other two pilots were Flying Officer "Tiger" Folkes and Sergeant James Hallowes. It was the first German aircraft to fall on English soil in World War II (although it was not the first to be shot down in the United Kingdom, that having occurred in Scotland). Townsend visited the German rear gunner in hospital the next day, and visited him again in 1968 when Townsend was writing his highly-successful book about the Battle of Britain, "Duel of Eagles," which recounts the incident in detail.

Still flying Hurricanes, the squadron covered the Dunkirk retreat, and fought in the Battle of Britain.

In November 1942, No. 43 Squadron moved to North Africa, now flying Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vcs.

In 1944, as the tide of war turned in favour of the Allies, the squadron moved to France, where it was known by the local French population as "les coqs Anglais". By then the squadron's main role was ground attack, strafing and occasionally dive bombing enemy targets. On 9 September 1944, Wing Commander Barrie Heath, flying Spitfire Mk.IX MJ628, led a formation on the squadron's first sortie into German territory, strafing motor transport and railway communications.

The squadron ended the war in Austria and was disbanded on 16 May 1947. No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron began receiving its first Hunter F.4s on 24 February 1956, before receiving four Hunter F.6s on 2 November 1956 however these were only operated until early December. The Hunters of No. 43 Squadron featured in the 1957 film High Flight. The squadron began to receive the Hunter F.6 for the second time on 10 January 1958, these were operated until being replaced by the Hunter FGA.9, which began to arrive in May 1960.

The Fighting Cocks relocated to RAF Nicosia, Cyprus, in June 1961, before further relocating to RAF Khormaksar, Aden, on 1 March 1963, becoming part of Middle East Command (MEC). Within five days of arrival, No. 43 (F) Squadron was flying sorties in the Beihan region as a show of force against the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, and by the end of the month had managed 264 flying hours. On 17 April 1964, Hunter FGA.9 XG136 crashed while carrying out manoeuvres, killing the pilot Flying Officer Herring. In July 1964, the Fighting Cocks had their Hunters pooled with No. 8 Squadron. On 11 August, another Hunter was lost when XE624 suffered an engine flame out shortly after take-off and couldn't be recovered, pilot Fg. Off. Burrows safely ejected. On 18 August, the squadron carried out a strike on the Jabal Fahman mountain where dissidents where supposed to be located. On 15 November, MEC announced to the squadron that operations in Radfan would be limited to solely providing CAS for the army. More strikes were carried out on 25, 26 and 29 January. The squadron ended the year with a strike being conducted on 31 December in the Wādī Taym area in support of 45 Commando who requested assistance. February saw operations being carried out in support of the Special Air Service, with assistance being given on 1st and top cover being provided on 15th. On 15 May, No. 43 (F) Squadron carried out a preemptive strike on an arms shipment in Jabal Al Urays to prevent it from being received by a local dissident leader.

The Phantom Years (1969–1989)

thumb|right|[[McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service|McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 XT875 of No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron, 1980.]]

No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron received its first McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 (XT874) on 6 June 1969 at RAF Leuchars. The squadron officially reformed at Leuchars on 1 September 1969, operating as part of Northern Quick Reaction Alert (QRA). The Fighting Cocks received the FG.1 (which had an extendable nose wheel oleo strut among a few other differences), as opposed to the FGR.2 operated by other RAF units, due to the cancellation of refit works on HMS Eagle. In November 1970, the squadron deployed eight Phantoms to RAF Luqa, Malta, to participate in Exercise Lime Jug 70, which aimed to improve co-operation between the RAF and Royal Navy.

The Fighting Cocks deployed ten Phantoms to RAF Luqa between February and March 1973 for an Armament Practice Camp (APC), and were later joined by aircraft from HMS Ark Royal. No. 43 (F) Squadron lost its first Phantom on 18 September 1975, when XV580 lost control during a 'Canadian break' manoeuvre and crashed near Forfar, Angus, with both crew ejecting. The squadron deployed once again for an APC at Luqa in November 1975, this time operating alongside Avro Vulcans and Avro Shackletons.

No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron celebrated their 70th anniversary in 1986 by giving Phantom FG.1 XV571 a special commemorative scheme.

To mark the 90th anniversary of the Fighting Cocks, the squadron's flagship ZG757 received an all gloss black paint scheme, which was later reduced to just a gloss black spine and tail and 90th anniversary emblem on the tail.

In April 2008, the squadron absorbed No. 56 (Reserve) Squadron to perform the role of Tornado F.3 Operational Conversion Unit, with No. 56 Squadron reforming in the ISTAR role.

No. 43 (F) Squadron stood down on 13 July 2009 for the fourth time in its history, with it initially rumoured that it would reform as the third operational Eurofighter Typhoon squadron.

The Squadron Standard, presented in person by HM The Queen at RAF Leuchars on 4 June 1957, was laid up on Sunday 22 May 2016 in the Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling, after it was understood the unit would not be reformed as a Typhoon squadron. The No. 43 Squadron Standard is emblazoned with a black gamecock badge on a field of sky blue and surrounded with the following honours: Western Front 1917–1918, Ypres 1917, Somme 1918, Dunkirk, Battle of Britain 1940, North Africa 1942–1943, Anzio and Nettuno, and France and Germany 1944.

Notable pilots

  • Flight Lieutenant Peter Townsend (later Group Captain) was one of three Hurricane pilots of ‘B’ flight, 43 Squadron, who shot down a Heinkel 111 of 4./KG26 on 3 February 1940, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, the first enemy aircraft to crash on English soil during World War II. His wartime record was 9 aircraft claimed destroyed (and 2 shared), 2 'probables' and 4 damaged.
  • Squadron Leader John Badger led the squadron during part of the Battle of Britain and destroyed at least ten aircraft.
  • Barrie Heath shot down four German aircraft between 1940 and 1941. After the war he went on to become the chairman of the engineering giant GKN.
  • Group Captain John "Paddy" Hemingway, the last surviving pilot of the Battle of Britain, commanded the 43 Squadron in Italy in 1945.
  • S/Ldr Eugeniusz Horbaczewski (Dziubek), Polish Air Force, fought with No. 43 Squadron over Malta, Sicily and Italy 1943. On 4 September he shot down an Fw 190 and on 16 September two Fw 190s. In October, he handed over command and returned to Britain.
  • Squadron Leader (Acting) Peter Parrott, famous for being a poster boy on a recruitment campaign, and who fought in the Battle of Britain
  • Group Captain David Scott: After distinguished service in the operations in Libya, Scott received the only Libya Star presented to a serving officer.
  • Group Captain Thomas Dalton-Morgan, DSO, OBE, DFC & Bar, fought with No. 43 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. Credited with 17 confirmed aircraft destroyed before the end of 1943, the true number may be as much as double this as he regularly flew 'off-the-record' while serving later with the USAAF 4th Fighter Group. Dalton-Morgan is credited with six night kills, the most for an RAF pilot in a single-seat fighter aircraft during the war.
  • Pilot Officer Hamilton Upton was the highest scoring Canadian flying ace during the Battle of Britain, destroying eleven German aircraft, one of which was shared with three other pilots.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated include:

  • Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3 (May 1916 – August 1916)
  • Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c (June 1916 – August 1916; November 1916)
  • Avro 504 (June 1916 – August 1916; November 1916)
  • Bristol Scout (August 1916 – September 1917)
  • Sopwith 1½ Strutter (December 1916 – September 1917)
  • Sopwith Camel (September 1917 – October 1918)
  • Sopwith Snipe (August 1918 – September 1919; July 1925 – May 1926)
  • Gloster Gamecock Mk.I (April 1926 – June 1928)
  • Armstrong Whitworth Siskin Mk.IIIa (June 1928 – May 1931)
  • Hawker Fury Mk.I (May 1931 – January 1939)
  • Hawker Hurricane Mk.I (December 1938 – April 1941)
  • Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIa (April 1941 – August 1942)
  • Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb (April 1941 – August 1942)
  • Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc (December 1941 – August 1942; November 1942 – March 1943)
  • Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc (March 1943 – January 1944)
  • Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX (August 1943 – May 1947)
  • Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII (August 1944 – November 1944)
  • Gloster Meteor F.4 (February 1949 – September 1954)
  • Gloster Meteor F.8 (September 1950 – September 1954)
  • Hawker Hunter F.1 (July 1954 – November 1956)
  • Hawker Hunter F.4 (February 1956 – July 1958)
  • Hawker Hunter F.6 (November 1956 – December 1956; January 1958 – July 1960)
  • Hawker Hunter FGA.9 (May 1960 – November 1967)
  • McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 (September 1969 – July 1989)
  • McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 (May 1988 – July 1989)
  • Panavia Tornado F.3 (September 1989 – June 2009)

References

Notes

Bibliography

  • Beedle, J. 43 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps – Royal Air Force: The History of the Fighting Cocks, 1916–66. London: Beaumont Aviation Literature, 1966
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1980. .
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. .
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons: A Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and Their Antecedents Since 1912. Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). .
  • Rawlings, John. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and Their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1969 (second edition 1976). .
  • 43 squadron association