APPENDIX C

Coastal Command of the Royal Air Force

Establishment and Expansion 1939-1943


 

Role 1st Sept., 1939 1st Jan., 1940 1st July, 1940 1st Jan., 1941 1st July, 1941 1st Jan., 1942 1st July, 1942 1st Jan., 1943 1st July, 1943
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
Squad-
rons
Air-
craft
General Reconnaissance
Very Long Range                 1 9 1 9 1 16 3 52 7 105
Long Range                         1 12 5 66 3 45
Medium Range 1 9 3 72 5 105 9 174 13 242 15 300 19 370 13 278 9 186
Short Range 9 200 8-1/2 182 8 162 7 138 4 82 1 18            
Flying Boats 5 40 6 48 7 46 7-1/2 60 10 81 9 76 10 91 11 111 10 120
 
Torpedo/Bombers
and
Torpedo/Fighters
1 16 2 34 4 84 3 60 4 80 5 100 5 100 5 100 5 100
Fighter and Fighter Strike         4-1/2 93 6 132 8 182 6-1/2 130 6 120 5 100 5-1/2 108
Special Duty                                 2 29
 
Total Squadrons 16   19-1/2   28-1/2   32-1/2   40   37-1/2   42   42   41-1/2  
 
Total Aircraft   265   336   490   564   676   633   709   707   693
NOTES: 1. Squadrons operating from Gibraltar or temporarily detached to the Mediterranean Air Command are included throughout.
2. Aircraft on loan from Bomber Command are included throughout.
3. All Hudsons are classified as Medium Range.
4. The column headed "aircraft" includes both Initial Equipment and Immediate Reserve.
5. Squadrons shown are those established, and were not necessarily all operational, or up to full strength.

 

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