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No. 667 Squadron AAC

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No. 667 Squadron AAC
No. 667 (Development and Trials) Squadron AAC
No. 667 Squadron RAF
Bell 212 AH1 of the No. 667 Squadron over Lumut, Brunei in 2022
Active1 Dec 1943 – 20 Dec 1945 (RAF)
1989 – 2020
1 Aug 2021 – 2022
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeFlying squadron
RoleTransport
Part ofArmy Air Corps
Home stationMiddle Wallop
Aircraft flown
Cargo helicopterBell 212 AH1/AH3

667 Squadron AAC is a former squadron of the British Army's Army Air Corps (AAC).

History

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No. 667 Squadron was first formed on 1 December 1943 at RAF Gosport, Hampshire from 1662 and 1631 Flight's[1] and No. 7 Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp at RAF Shoreham, Kent[2] for various anti-aircraft training duties. The squadron was initially equipped with Boulton Paul Defiants and undertook target towing duties with these. It later received Hurricanes, Barracudas, Oxfords, Vengeances and Spitfires, before disbanding at Gosport on 20 December 1945.[3][4][5] Between Dec 1943 and Dec 1945 squadron aircraft wore the codes U4.[6][7] During the Second World War the squadron formed part of No. 70 Group RAF, Air Defence of Great Britain from 1943 to 1944[8] and Fighter Command from 1944 to 1945[9]

From 1989 the squadron had a development and trials role as part of the Army Air Corps. The squadron continued in this role until late 2020 when it was disbanded.[10]

During 2019 the squadron supported the deployment of the Apache aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08).[11]

On 1 August 2021, No. 7 Flight AAC based in Brunei was redesignated as No. 667 Squadron.[12] In 2022 the Bell 212 was replaced in Brunei with the RAF Westland Puma HC2, operated by No. 1563 Flight RAF.[13]

Aircraft operated

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Aircraft operated by 667 Squadron, data from[4][5]
From To Aircraft Version
December 1943 January 1945 Boulton Paul Defiant Mks.I & III
April 1944 August 1945 Hawker Hurricane Mks.I & IIc
May 1944 June 1945 Fairey Barracuda Mk.II
June 1944 December 1945 Airspeed Oxford Mks.I & II[3]
October 1944 December 1945 Vultee Vengeance Mk.IV
July 1945 December 1945 Supermarine Spitfire LF.XVIe[3]
2020 Westland Gazelle AH1[12]
2020 Westland Lynx AH7[12]
2021 2022 Bell 212 AH1
AH3[12]

Squadron bases

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Bases and airfields used by 667 Squadron, data from[3][4][5]
From To Base Remark
1 December 1943 20 December 1945 RAF Gosport, Hampshire Det. at RAF Shoreham, Kent
1957 2020 AAC Middle Wallop, Hampshire[12]
2021 2022 Medicina Lines in Seria, Brunei[12]

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Delve 1994, p. 159.
  2. ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 64.
  3. ^ a b c d Rawlings 1982, p. 258.
  4. ^ a b c Halley 1988, p. 451.
  5. ^ a b c Jefford 2001, p. 105.
  6. ^ Bowyer & Rawlings 1979, pp. 103–104.
  7. ^ Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 108.
  8. ^ Delve 1994, p. 72.
  9. ^ Delve 1994, p. 79.
  10. ^ "Introducing 667 Sqn AAC!". Twitter. Jungle Aviation – 7 Flight Army Air Corps. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  11. ^ "British Army Apache gunship starts trials with HMS Queen Elizabeth". Naval News. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "New designation for Army Air Corps jungle support unit". Key.Aero. Key Publishing. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Brunei | The British Army". army.mod.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2023.

Bibliography

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  • Bowyer, Michael J.F.; Rawlings, John D.R. (1979). Squadron Codes, 1937–56. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 0-85059-364-6.
  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-365-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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