Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and Their Aircraft

Although most of the glamour of military aviation has fallen to the fighters and bombers, in fact these types were comparatively late on the scene when nations first went to war in the air. The original military squadrons were formed for the purpose of reconnaissance– to find out what was happening on the battlefield and beyond, to scour the shipping lanes for enemy vessels and especially underwater predators.
This task has never ceased – the Royal Air Force has always provided reconnaissance for the British Army, and the naval reconnaissance units, expanded into Coastal Command with all the romance of the big flying boats, became almost an air force in themselves. As the Second World War progressed other aviation tasks emerged: advances in technology led to the photo-reconnaissance force which eventually could cover all enemy territory.
Large numbers of aircraft were also used for various transport operations, in some cases maintaining whole armies by air support when they could not be reached by land or sea. RAF transport aircraft have carried out many special tasks since, from participation in the Berlin Airlift to the swift transport of troops and equipment in other emergencies.
Many other fascinating duties were and still are performed by the RAF support squadrons, including paratroop dropping, special operations, air-sea rescue and various semi-operational yet vital tasks.
Covering all these additional duties flown by more than two hundred and twenty RAF squadrons over the years, this volume complements the reference source provided by Fighter Squadrons of The RAF and Their Aircraft and Bomber Squadrons of The RAF and Their Aircraft, published by Macdonald and Jane's in the same format. Factual details include brief histories of operational service, names of commanding officers, bases and movements, and aircraft types and their markings, augmented by informative Appendices.
Illustrated with selected photographs, many never before seen in print, this book forms a permanent record of the squadrons concerned.


by John D. R. Rawlings
Published by Janes 1982 1st edition. 270pp illustrated, appendices, bibliography. 22x29 near fine including d/j.






Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.