No. 533 Squadron was formed at RAF Charmy Down, Somerset on 8[1] September 1942, from No. 1454 (Turbinlite) Flight,[3][4] as part of No. 10 Group RAF in Fighter Command. Instead of operating only Turbinlite and – rudimentary – Airborne Intercept (AI) radar-equipped aircraft (Havocs and Bostons) and working together with a normal nightfighter unit, such as in their case with the Hawker Hurricanes of No. 87 Squadron RAF in the Flight,[3] the unit now also flew with their own Hurricanes. It was disbanded at Charmy Down on 25 January 1943,[1] when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.[5]
Aircraft operated[]
Aircraft operated by No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[1][3][5]
From
To
Aircraft
Version
8 September 1942
25 January 1943
Douglas Havoc
Mk.I (Turbinlite)
8 September 1942
25 January 1943
Douglas Havoc
Mk.I (Nightfighter)
8 September 1942
25 January 1943
Douglas Boston
Mk.III
8 September 1942
25 January 1943
Hawker Hurricane
Mk.IIb
8 September 1942
25 January 1943
Hawker Hurricane
Mk.IIc
Squadron bases[]
Bases and airfields used by No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[1][3][5]
From
To
Base
8 September 1942
25 January 1943
RAF Charmy Down, Somerset
Commanding officers[]
Officers commanding No. 533 Squadron RAF, data from[3]
Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Air Britain (Historians). ISBN0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, C. G (2001) [1988]. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (second ed.). Airlife Publishing. ISBN1-85310-053-6.
Rawlings, John D. R. (1978) [1969]. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft (second ed.). Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers). ISBN0-354-01028-X.
Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN0-85130-365-X.
Further reading[]
Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Airlife Publishing. ISBN1-85310-451-5.
Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew Thomas (2003). Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Airlife Publishing. ISBN1-84037-281-8..