The three-day event runs from April 7 to 9, 2006 and it will mark the 90th Anniversary of the squadron’s formation, which occurred on April 1st, 1916 at Filton near Bristol. With an illustrious history spanning both World Wars, in more recent times 42 Squadron is perhaps best most noted for its post – Second World War maritime operations using both Avro Shackleton and HSA Nimrod aircraft, with operations taking place around the world over five decades.

During its time in the UK 42 Squadron’s main operating locations have been at RAF St Mawgan, Cornwall and RAF Kinloss, Moray, whilst significant overseas deployments have included Majunga, Madagascar participating in Beira Patrols during the 1960s; Ascension Island during operations in 1982 to help recover the Falkland Islands; and in 1991 from Oman and Cyprus as part of ‘Operation Granby’ during the first Gulf War.

So far fifty [50] former squadron members have expressed an interest in participating at the anniversary reunion in April 2006, but as event organiser Sqn Ldr Ian Muir explains 42 [R] Squadron is keen to contact even more people. “We are looking to attract as many former squadron members as possible to our 90th Anniversary Reunion”, commented Sqn Ldr Muir, he continued. “The event is open to all former 42 Squadron members of all ranks, from all trades and from all squadron eras.” Sqn Ldr Muir concluded, “I would urge anyone interested in participating in this important Anniversary Reunion to contact me as soon as possible so that I can supply further participation details”.

Details of the 42 Squadron 90th Anniversary Reunion can be obtained by contacting:
Sqn Ldr Ian Muir, 42(R) STU, RAF Kinloss, Forres, Moray, IV36 3UH.
Telephone: [01309] 672161 Ext - 7722
Email: 42sqn90th@kinloss.raf.mod.uk

42 Squadron plate as worn on Avro Shackleton Mk.3 Phase 3 WR977 at the Newark Air Museum. [Credit: Howard Heeley – Down To Earth Promotions]

Avro Shackleton Mk.3 WR977 pictured on active service at Majunga, Madagascar in 1967, flying "Beira Patrols" as part of Operation MIZAR. [Credit: Newark Air Museum Archive]

Nimrod from the Kinloss Wing pictured at Waddington Air Display 2005, crewed by 42[R] Sqn members. [Credit: Howard Heeley – Down To Earth Promotions]

Key dates and aircraft types in the history of 42 Squadron:
April 1, 1916 - Number 42 Squadron formed at Filton o from a nucleus provided by No 19 Squadron, moving to France in August with BE2s for reconnaissance duties over the Western Front.
April 1917 - The Squadron re-equipped with RE8s and moved to northern Italy to cover the Austro-Italian Front.
March 1918 – returned to France.
February 1919 – The unit returned to the UK and disbanded at Netheravon on June 26.
December 14, 1936 - Reformed at Donibristle with Vildebeests becoming one of only two torpedo strike units in the UK.
April 1940 - Exchanged Vildebeests for Beauforts at Bircham Newton and specialised in anti-shipping and mine laying along the coasts of northern Europe.
June 1942 - Left for the Far East but delayed in the Middle East for operations there until December, when it finally arrived in Ceylon. Later converted to Blenheims, which were used for bombing missions over Burma from March 1943.
October 1943 - Re-equipped with Hurricanes for ground attack duties.
July 1945 - Changed to Thunderbolts and the Squadron disbanded at Meiktala, Burma on December 30, 1945.
October 1946 - Reformed as part of Coastal Command's Strike Wing with Beaufighters at Thorney Island, but disbanded on October 15, 1947.
June 28, 1952 – The Squadron reformed at St Eval in Cornwall equipped with Shackleton MR1s for maritime reconnaissance duties.
April 1954 – Updated to Shackleton MR.2s
December 1965 – Updated to Shackleton MR.3s
April 1971 – Nimrods replaced the Shackletons.
April 1982 – 42 Squadron despatched two aircraft to Ascension Island as part of the first phase of Operation 'Corporate' - the recovery of the Falkland Islands.
October 1990 - 42 Squadron provided crews as part of the Nimrod detachment in Oman involved in Operation 'Granby'.
January 1991 – 42 Squadron set up a major detachment in Cyprus to provide additional further support to the Allied forces.
October 1, 1992 – 42 Squadron disbanded as a front-line unit on and the squadron-plate was then assigned to the Nimrod OCU, formerly No 236 OCU, at Kinloss in Scotland, where it now resides as 42 [Reserve] Squadron.

42 Squadron Battle Honours
Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard.
North West Frontier 1916-1918*
Afghanistan 1919-1920
Mahoud 1919-1920
Waziristan 1919-1925
North West Frontier 1939
Iraq 1941*
Syria 1941
Egypt and Libya 1941-1942*
Burma 1941-1942*
North Burma 1943-1944*
Arakan 1943-1944*
Manipur 1944*
Burma 1944-1945*
Gulf 1991