1 Squadron

No. 1 Sqn was one of the three Royal Flying Corp Squadrons formed on 13 May 1912.

Motto: "In omnibus princeps" - First in all things.

Badge: A winged numeral ‘1’ - approved July 1936 by HRH King Edward VII as the authorised version of a badge which had originated during World War I featuring a wreathed roundel

Aircraft Time Line

1912

24 types including Boxkite,

1918

Morane

Nieuport

SE5

Avro 504K

1920

Jan Reduced to cadre

1921

Re-established at Risalpur India

Snipe

Salamander

Nighthawk

1926

Nov Disbanded

1927

Reformed at Tangmere

Siskin

Fury

1938

Hurricane I

1939

Hurricane IIA & IIB

Typhoon

Spitfire VC

Spitfire IXB

Spitfire F21

1951

Meteor 3

1953

Meteor 8

1955

Squadron converted to F5 at Tangmere

1958

June disbanded

1958

F6 at Stradishall taking over aircraft of 263 squadron

1960

Sqn to 38 Group - Sqn commenced conversion to FGA9

1961

Moved to Waterbeach

1963

To West Raynham

1969

18th July -To Wittering Conversion to Harrier Squadron

Harrier GR 1A, GR 3, GR5, GR7

Brief History as a Hunter Squadron

1955

June: the squadron converted to F5 at Tangmere

Sqn Cdr.: Sqn. Ldr. Freddy Lister DSO, DFC

1956

Sqn Cdr.: Sqn. Ldr. R.S. Kingsford

1958

Disbanded in June - one week later reformed as the re-numbered 263 Sqn at Stradishall

1958

Sqn Cdr.: Sqn. Ldr. L. de Garis AFC

1958

Sqn Cdr.: Sqn. Ldr John Phipps RIP

1961

Sqn Cdr.: Sqn. Ldr. Peter Pledger

1961

November: Squadron moved to Waterbeach

1961

December Squadron became part of 38 Group

1963

Sqn Cdr.: Sqn. Ldr. Frank Travers-Smith

1963

August: Squadron moved to West Raynham

1964

Sqn Cdr.: Sqn. Ldr. Dave Brook

1966

Sqn Cdr.: Sqn. Ldr. Spike Jones

1969

Sqn Cdr.: Wg Cdr Jimmy Mansell - Killed in Flying accident

1969

Sqn. Cdr.: Sq Ldr. Brian Baker

1969

August: Squadron moved to Wittering to commence conversion to the Harrier

Reformed as a Harrier Squadron at Wittering

1 SQUADRON