This was the first RCAF unit to be formed overseas, with no previous link to a existing unit. Formed at Baginton on 1st March, 1941, in the Army Co-operation role, it was equipped with Tomahawks, but in May it began to re-equip with Spitfires and transferred to the fighter role.
Moving to Hornchurch, it began operations on 7th August, 1941, and from then was involved in the normal round of offensive sweeps from bases in the south and defensive duties and coastal patrols from bases in the north and East Anglia until mid-1943 when it joined 2nd Tactical Air Force.
It was now involved in the preparations for D-Day and began to practice its forthcoming mobile role, now equipped with Spitfire IXs. Having covered the landings themselves, it moved to the continent in mid June and moved forward through France and the Low Countries to support the Allied advance. In December bad weather prevented many operations and the squadron took the opportunity to fly out new Spitfire XVIs to replace its Mk IXs.
In April 1945, it moved onto German soil and having taken part in the victory fly-past over Copenhagen on 19 June, it was disbanded at Soltau on 30th June.
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403 Squadron Codes: Back to Top
KH (February 1941 - January 1945)
Note: Aircraft recognition codes were changed from 3rd September 1939 as a measure against German intelligence. |
| Base |
County |
Arrived |
Comments |
Baginton
|
Warwickshire |
19/02/41 |
Formed.
Tomahawk I/IIa, Spitfire I |
| Tern Hill |
|
30/05/41 |
Spitfire IIa |
| Hornchurch |
Essex |
04/08/41 |
Spitfire Vb |
| Debden |
Essex |
25/08/41 |
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| Martlesham Heath |
Suffolk |
03/10/41 |
|
| North Weald |
Essex |
22/12/41 |
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| Rochford |
Essex |
02/05/42 |
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| Martlesham Heath |
Suffolk |
03/06/42 |
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| Catterick |
Yorkshire |
19/06/42 |
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| Manston |
Kent |
01/07/42 |
|
| Catterick |
Yorkshire |
08/07/42 |
|
| Kenley |
Surrey |
23/01/43 |
Spitfire IXb |
| Lashenden |
Kent |
07/08/43 |
|
| Headcorn |
Kent |
20/08/43 |
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| Kenley |
Surrey |
14/10/43 |
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| Hutton Cranswick |
Yorkshire |
24/02/44 |
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| Kenley |
Surrey |
29/02/44 |
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| Tangmere |
Sussex |
18/04/44 |
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| To Bazenville, B2 |
|
16/06/44 |
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| Fairwood Common |
Glamorganshire |
23/09/44 |
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| To
Grave, B82 |
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03/10/44 |
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| Warmwell |
Dorset |
04/01/45 |
Spitfire XVI |
| To Evere, B56 |
|
14/01/45 |
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| A |
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Anthony, A. |
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Ashworth, C.P. |
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| B |
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Ball |
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Belcher |
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Beurling, G. |
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| C |
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Carrillo |
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Cathels, E.C. |
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Chadburn, L.V. |
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Christmas |
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Collinson |
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Colvin |
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Cranham |
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Crisp |
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Crisp |
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| D |
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Dick, N.R.D. |
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| F |
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Ford |
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| G |
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Gilbertson |
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Godefroy, H.C. |
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| K |
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Knight, R.A.L. |
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| L |
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Lindsay, J.D. |
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| M |
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Morris, B.G. |
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MacDonald |
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McKenna |
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| P |
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Price |
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| R |
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Rainville |
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Rychman |
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S |
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Stapleton, F.S. |
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Stones |
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| W |
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.Waldon, W. |
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Wood, C.P. |
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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. |
Type 329 - "Spitfire" Mark II
The major change from the Mark I was the use of the 1,050 HP Merlin XII with higher supercharger gearing and a Coffman cartridge starter, enabling a level airspeed of 354 mph (570 kph) to be achieved. Fitted with a Rotol contant-speed 3-blade propeller. 921 were produced. The first Mark IIs were delivered to 611 Squadron in August 1940. |
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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:
- A - eight 0.303 Browning machine guns
- B - two 20mm cannon, and four Browning machine guns
- C - either four cannon or either of the other combinations.
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6,478 of the MkV were produced. In a number the wings were adapted for high altitude (extended, pointed tips) or low altitude (clipped wingtips, for faster roll rate), and the supercharger settings adapted for the selected altitude. Those airframes intended for desert conditions acquired a deep "chin" in the form of an air filter to keep out the desert sand. |
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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Type 361 - "Spitfire" Mark XVI
1,054 Mk IX Spitfires were produced with Packard built 1372 HP Merlin 266 engines and designated Mk XVI. Many were built alongside Mk IX variants and sequential production numbers may have different mark designations.
The difference between the Mk IX and XVI was largely the engine installation.
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