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222 (Natal) Squadron
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222 Squadron - A Brief History: Back to Top |
The number 222 was originally allocated to 'A' Squadron of No 2 Wing RNAS at Thasos, which was composed of DH4s and Camels. The squadron was disbanded on 27th February 1919. The squadron reformed at Duxford on 5th October 1939 with Blenheims in the shipping protection role. However, this was soon changed and in March 1940, the squadron re-equipped with Spitfires. Two moths later it was covering the Dunkirk evacuation from Hornchurch before moving to Kirton-in-Lindsey in June. In August the squadron returned to Hornchurch to participate in the final stages of the Battle of Britain. It then followed the usual pattern for fighter squadrons, offensive sweeps from bases in the south interspersed with defensive duties in the North of England, East Anglia and Scotland. In mid 1943, it was transferred to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, joining No 135 Airfield (later No 135 Wing). It now began carrying out offensive sweeps in preparation for the forthcoming invasion and during the invasion itself, provided air cover to the invasion convoys. The squadron moved onto the continent in late August to support the advancing armies through France and Belgium. However, in December 1944, the squadron was withdrawn from Belgium back to the UK, where it re-equipped with Tempests.
These were then taken back to the continent in February 1945 with 222 continuing its moves eastwards until the end of the war.
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222 Squadron Codes: UP (April 1939 - September 1939) ZD (September 1939 - 1953) Note: Aircraft recognition codes were changed from 3rd September 1939 as a measure against German intelligence. |
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Aircraft |
Bristol Blenheim The Blenheim was a British high-speed light bomber used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was later adapted into a successful heavy fighter. A Canadian-made variant named the Bolingbroke was used as an anti-Submarine and training aircraft. It was the first British aircraft to have all-metal stressed skin construction and one of the first to utilize retractable landing gear, flaps, powered gun turret and variable-pitch propellers. When it first flew as Britain First at Filton on 12 April 1935, it proved to be faster than any fighter in service with the Royal Air Force at the time. The Air Ministry was obviously interested in such an aircraft, and quickly sent out Specification B.28/35 for prototypes of a bomber version of the Bristol called the Type 142M (M for "military"). |
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The aircraft was all-metal with twin Bristol Mercury VIII radial engines of 860 hp (640 kW) each. It carried a crew of three – pilot, navigator/bombardier and gunner/wireless operator and was armed with a forward firing 0.303 inch (7.7 mm) machine gun outboard of the port engine and a 0.303 inch machine gun in a semi-retracting dorsal turret firing to the rear. A 1,000-lb (454 kg) bomb load was carried in the internal bay. To achieve its relatively high speed, the Blenheim had a very small fuselage. Pilot's quarters on the left side of the nose were so cramped that the control yoke obscured all flight instruments while engine instruments eliminated the forward view on landings. Most secondary instruments were arranged along the left side of the cockpit with essential items like propeller pitch control actually placed behind the pilot where they had to be operated by feel alone. By the start of the Second World War, fighter technology had eclipsed the Blenheim's speed advantage and it would only achieve moderate success as a bomber and coastal patrol aircraft. One of the greatest advantages that the Blenheim had over other fighter aircraft was its range. It could penetrate deep into enemy territory, that is provided that they did not come into contact with any other enemy fighters. With a top speed of only 263 mph (423 km/h) and cumbersome and slow in turning, it was soon eclipsed by other more modern types, nonetheless, the Blenheim continued in frontline service throughout the early years of the conflict. |
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Type 300 - "Spitfire" Mark I This was basically the same airframe as the prototype allowing for changes to facilitate a production line. The all up weight was increased to 5,720 lb, and a 998 HP Merlin II (later 953 HP Merlin 3) fitted. The airscrew was initially 2-blade fixed pitch, but was soon changed to a 2-pitch 3-blade design from either De Havilland or Rotol. Armament was eight 0.303 Browning machine guns. Terminology will change frequently through these descriptions, as it did originally, and one of these changes involved the Mk 1b Spitfire. The (b) suffix usually denotes a particular wing variant, but since there was only one wing type in this Mark, it refers to a limited number of airframes armed with 20 mm cannon. |
These had a tendency to jam and were not popular with aircrews. On 3rd September 1939, 306 Spitfires had been delivered to the RAF. Altogether 1,569 Mk I Spitfires were produced. The first production Mk Is reached 19 Squadron RAF at Duxford in August 1938. |
"Spitfire" Mark IIa/IIb |
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6,478 of the MkVesert sand. |
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Type 349 - "Spitfire" Mark Vb With the arrival of the Me (Bf)109F an interim aircraft was produced by adding the latest Merlin to a strengthened airframe. They were powered by a 1,230 HP Merlin 45 or 46, with a maximum all-up weight of 6,170 lb. 3 patterns of wing were introduced:
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Type 361 - "Spitfire" Mark IX Introduced as another temporary measure, the Mk IX started life as a strengthened MkV airframe with the latest, 60 series, Merlin engines driving a 4-bladed airscrew. It proved so successful that all in total around 7180 were produced. Trainer variants were produced by the USSR and UK after the war. |
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Hawker "Tempest" Mark V The Tempest evolved under Camm's direction during 1940 as a 'second generation' Typhoon and initially known as the Typhoon II (Hawker P. 1012). Combined Typhoon fuselage with new thin wing incorporating leading-edge radiators. The name changed to Hawker Tempest I in January 1942. It was fitted with a 2,500 hp Sabre IV engine. Unfortunately the planned production of 400 was abandoned for want of Sabre IVs, and the Mark V had the 2,180 hp Sabre IIA. |
| The first Tempest Vs delivered had the long-barrelled Mark II 20 mm Hispano cannon. Later production aircraft used the short-barrelled Mark V Hispano cannon, eliminating the protruding barrels - though these had not been as prominent as on the Typhoon. A
new spar structure allowed the wings to carry up to 2,000 lb (908 kg) of external stores. Also developed specifically for the Tempest by Hawker was a streamlined 45 gallon "drop tank" and carrier fairing; the redesigned wing incorporated the plumbing for these tanks, one to each wing. |