Most interesting squadron

[Dave Homewood]

This covers prewar, wartime and postwar RNZAF periods.

Which do you consider to be the most interesting RNZAF squadron in terms of its history, its combat record, the types of aircraft it operated, its various roles, the notable people on the squadron, etc.?

I think today a lot of people think only of latter day history, for example if you think of No. 2 Squadron then most people think of two-seat Skyhawks. But that sqadron has a real depth of history - first Territorial squadron equipped with the Baffin, the first RNZAF squadron to emark and deploy on operational wartime posting, combat with Hudsons and Venturas, based at Rongotai, Woodbourne, Omaka, Nelson and Ohakea, etc. Postwar there is the Mustang era, etc.

No. 3 Squadron has an equally interesting history.

The Squadron that is possibly mst interesting in types flown but least interesting in roles is No. 42 Squadron

Perhaps you like the shortlived but thoroughly interesting dive-bomber squadrons?

Which do you find the most interesting, and why?

[skyhawkdon]

2 Sqn gets my vote. While 75 Sqn got all the glory in WWII it was actually reformed back in NZ (after WWII) by mostly ex 2 Sqn personnel (i.e. 2 Sqn was disbanded to form the "new" 75 Sqn). When 2 Sqn was disbanded to form 75 Sqn they actually had a funeral at Ohakea to "bury the spirit of 2 Sqn". A full sized casket was made up by the chippy shop and a bottle of whiskey was placed inside it. The casket was placed in the 2 Sqn hangar and Base personnel were invited to file past and pay their respects! The burial of the Spirit of 2 Sqn took place over near where the Ohakea Museum is (was!) now. There was a full military funeral service and a large crown was in attendance. Amazingly a home movie was made of all this and I saw a copy when 2 Sqn was presented its standard in the late 90's. The RNZAF Museum has the film in its archives. Just an example of what made 2 Sqn a bit different to the rest... although I'm sure there are stories for all RNZAF Sqn's.

2 Sqn always had a lot of "free spirit" and that was certainly the case right up til the end.

[FlyNavy]

Great story for 2 Sqdn.

[Dave Homewood]

Yes, I fully agree with you Don that No. 2 Squadron has one of the most fascinating careers. Interestingly No. 488 (NZ) Squadron also held a funeral the day it disbanded.

No. 2 Squadron was the only RNZAF bomber squadron retained postwar. I'm not sure why it in particular was chosen to be reatained but it may have been something to do with the fact that it had regional ties to Ohakea. Interestingly they relinquished their Venturas immediately after the war finished and returned to flying Hudsons - I guess this may have been something to do with lend-lease?

But it must have been rather gutting to have to give up their Hudsons and start flying the Oxfords when they became 75 Squadron.

[flyjoe180]

No.40 Squadron gets my pick. Okay, it's not the 'glamorous' combat unit that fihgter and bomber squadrons are (were), but it is very interesting.

The RNZAF's first transport squadron, they have operated Lockheed Hudsons, Lockheed Lodestars, Douglas Dakotas, Handley-Page Hastings, Douglas DC-6, Lockheed C-130H, Boeing 727, and Boeing 757.

No.40 SQN has deployed everywhere where NZ service personnel/equipment or aid are required, as well as supporting NZ's allies in the Gulf and in Afghanistan. Not to forget the Antarctic flights and firsts into China and Russia during the Cold War. No.40 SQN also had a close history with the NZ National Airways Corporation, many of it's pilots and aircraft having been transferred to the airline in the late 1940's.

And their 757 and Hercules displays at shows are brilliant!