The Squadron was formed
was formed on 14th October, 1925 at Turnhouse as a day bomber unit of the Auxiliary Air Force. Originally equipped with DH9As and using Avro 504Ks for flying training, the squadron re-equipped with Wapitis in March 1930, these being replaced by Harts in February 1934.
On 24th October, 1938, No 603 was redesignated a fighter unit and flew Hinds until the arrival of Gladiators at the end of March 1939. Within two weeks of the outbreak of war in September 1939, the squadron began to receive Spitfires and passed on its Gladiators to other squadrons during October. It was operational with Spitfires in time to intercept the first German air raid on the British Isles on 16th October, when it destroyed the first enemy aircraft to be shot down over Britain in the Second World War. It remained on defensive duties in Scotland until the end of August 1940, when it moved to southern England for the remaining months of the Battle of Britain.
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603 Squadron Codes: Back to Top
(April 1939 - September 1939)
(September 1939 - June 1942)
Note: Aircraft recognition codes were changed from 3rd September 1939 as a measure against German intelligence. |
| Base |
County |
Arrived |
Comments |
Turnhouse |
Midlothian |
03/09/39 |
Spitfire I |
| Prestwick |
Ayrshire |
16/12/39 |
|
| Dyce |
Aberdeenshire |
17/01/40 |
|
| Montrose |
|
01/08/40 |
|
| Hornchurch |
Essex |
28/08/40 |
Spitfire IIa |
| Rochford |
Essex |
03/12/40 |
|
| Drem |
East Lothian |
13/12/40 |
|
| Turnhouse |
Midlothian |
27/02/41 |
|
| Hornchurch |
Essex |
16/05/41 |
Spitfire Va |
| Rochford |
Essex |
16/06/41 |
|
| Hornchurch |
Essex |
09/07/41 |
Spitfire Vb |
| Fairlop |
Essex |
12/11/41 |
|
| Dyce |
Aberdeenshire |
15/12/41 |
|
| Peterhead |
Aberdeenshire |
14/03/42 |
|
| To Malta |
|
13/04/42 |
|
| Coltishall |
Norfolk |
10/01/45 |
Spitfire LFXVIe |
| Ludham |
Norfolk |
24/02/45 |
|
| Coltishall |
Norfolk |
05/04/45 |
|
| Turnhouse |
Midlothian |
28/04/45 |
|
| Drem |
East Lothian |
07/05/45 |
|
| Disbanded |
|
15/08/45 |
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| B |
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Bailey, G.J. |
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Barnett, R.E. |
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Benson, N.J.V. |
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Berry, R. |
| |
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Boulter, J.C. |
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Boulton, J.F. |
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Burleigh, R.J. |
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Burt, A.D. |
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| C |
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Carbury, B.J.G. |
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Caister, J.R. |
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Cunningham, J.L. |
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| D |
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Darling, A.S. |
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Denholm, G. |
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Dewey, R.B. |
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Dexter, P.G. |
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| G |
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Gerald, W.G. |
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Gilbert, H.T. |
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Goldsmith, C.W. |
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Green, J.D. |
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Griffiths, R.V.L. |
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| H |
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Haig, J.G.E. |
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Hartas, P. McD. |
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| I |
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Igglesden, C.P. |
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| L |
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Loudon, M.J. |
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. |
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| M |
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MacDonald, D.K. |
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MacDonald, H.K. |
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MacNamara, B.R. |
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MacPhail, F.J. |
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Mathews, H.K.F. |
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Maxwell, D.A. |
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Morton, J.S. |
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| N |
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Northcott, G.W. |
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| O |
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Olver, P. |
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| P |
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Pease, A.P. |
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Peel, C.D. |
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Pinckney, D.J.C.
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Prowse, H.A.R. |
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| R |
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Rafter, R.A. |
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Rafter, W.P.H. |
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Read, W.A.A. |
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Ritchie, I.S. |
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S |
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Scott-Maldon, F.D.S. |
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Stewart-Clarke |
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| T |
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Terry, P.A.R.R. |
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Thompson, G.A. |
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| W |
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Waterson, R.M. |
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| Y |
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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. |
Bristol Beaufighter
This was one of the most powerful and versatile combat aeroplanes the British built during the Second World War. It was used as a night-fighter, fighter-bomber, torpedo-carrier, ground-attack aeroplane, and an anti-shipping aircraft. The 'Beau' was powered by two Bristol Hercules XI engines that produced 1,400 hp each. Its maximum speed was 321 mph (516 kph), and a range of 1,170 miles (1,890 km). It was armed with four 20mm cannons and six machine guns, and crewed by two.
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