No. 33 Squadron RAF
No. 33 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Puma HC.2 from RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.
History
First World War
No. 33 Squadron was formed from part of 12 Sqn at Filton on 12 January 1916. For the remainder of the First World War the squadron was employed for Home Defence in Lincolnshire, guarding against German airship raids against northern England, being first equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2s, these being supplemented with Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2s. Its headquarters were at Gainsborough, with its flights based on three stations: RAF Scampton (A Flight), RAF Kirton in Lindsey (B Flight) and RAF Elsham Wolds (C Flight). The FE.2s were replaced by Bristol Fighters in June 1918, which were in turn replaced by night fighter Avro 504s in August. The squadron did not destroy any enemy airships, despite a number of interceptions and was disbanded in June 1919.
Between the wars
The Squadron was reformed at RAF Netheravon on 1 March 1929 as a bomber unit, equipped first with the Hawker Horsley and in February 1930, it became the first squadron to receive the new Hawker Hart, an aircraft faster than the RAF's fighter aircraft. In 1935, as part of Britain's response to the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, the unit moved to Egypt, taking part in air policing in Palestine. In February 1938, the squadron re-equipped with Gloster Gladiators, changing role to a fighter squadron, although at first it continued in support of British ground forces in Palestine.
33 Squadron
33 Squadron or 33rd Squadron may refer to:
See also
No. 33 Squadron (Finland)
No. 33 Squadron (Finnish: Hävittäjälentolaivue 33 or HLe.Lv.33) was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 3. The unit was stationed at Utti.
In December 1944 No. 34 Squadron became No. 33 Squadron. In December 1952 all the Finnish Flight Regiments became Wings and HLe.Lv.33 became HävLv 33. From 1952 No. 33 Sqn flew Valmet Vihuri aircraft. In 1957 the 3rd Wing was named Carelian Wing. It had two Squadrons: No. 31 Squadron (HävLv 31) (former No. 24 Sqn) and No. 33 Sqn (HävLv 33) (former No. 34 Squadron (LLv 34).
In August 1958 HävLv 33 was disbanded and the Carelian Wing continued the traditions of No. 24 Sqn, still carrying their lynx emblem.
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