No. 158 Squadron RAF

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No. 158 Squadron RAF
Active	May 9, 1918 - November 20, 1918 February 14, 1942 - December 31, 1945
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Motto	Strength in unity

No. 158 Squadron RAF was formed on 9 May 1918, the squadron was originally to be equipped with Sopwith Snipes but this was postponed and the squadron eventually formed at Upper Heyford on 4 September 1918, equipped with Sopwith Salamanders. The squadron arrived too late to see action during the war, and disbanded on 20 November 1918.

The squadron reformed at Driffield on 14 February 1942, via the renumbering of No. 104 Squadron, which was equipped with the Vickers Wellington. In June 1942 the squadron re-equipped with the Handley Page Halifax and moved to East Moor. In November 1942 the squadron moved to Rufforth, followed by a move to Lissett in February 1943. In January 1944 the squadron re-equipped with the Halifax III and the squadrons 'C' flight was used to form No. 640 Squadron at Leconfield. When WWII finished, the squadron was transferred to transport duties and was re-equipped with the Short Stirling. The squadron moved to Stradishall in August 1945, where it disbanded on 31 December 1945.

One of the squadrons aircraft, "Friday the 13th", a Halifax III, serial no. LV907, completed a remarkable 128 operational missions. Incredibly this precious aircraft was not saved from the scrapheap after being displayed in London, only a section of the nose from the aircraft was saved and is exhibited at the RAF Museum Hendon.