1929 (Squadron Reformed)

Administrator

No. 35 Squadron reformed as a light, day bomber squadron at Bircham Newton on 1st March 1929

Stationed at:

  • Bircham Newton (Norfolk)

Bircham Newton 1929

Role

  • Light, day bomber squadron for despatch overseas in times of emergency, in support of the RAF’s role in maintaining law and order in overseas territories

Command

  • Wessex Bombing Area, Air Defence of Great Britain (ADGB)

Diagram showing the structure of the RAF Home Commands

Squadron Command

  • Commanding Officer:
    • Flight Lieutenant LM Elworthy
    • 12/03/1929: Handed over to Squadron Leader GSM Insall VC MC.
    • 10/07/1929: Handed over to Squadron Leader BE Harrison

Strength (Working up to HQ and 3 Flights)

Activities

Air Crew

  • Ground Training
  • Flying Training
  • Ongoing checks and assessments
  • Cross Country, Bombing, Air Defence and Fighter Affiliation Exercises
    • None Recorded
  • Armament Training (live bombing / firing practice at one of the Armament Training Camps)
    • None Recorded
  • Displays (to ensure ongoing public awareness of the need for a highly trained, efficient air force during peacetime)
    • None Recorded

Ground Personnel

  • Daily servicing, ongoing maintenance and scheduled servicing of squadron aircraft and equipment
  • Other squadron related technical and administrative duties (such as Logistics, Air Operations Support, Intelligence, Administration and Personnel / Medical support)

Aircraft

The squadron was equipped with the following aircraft types (from its own establishment):

DH9A

The squadron was initially equipped with “five DH9A airframes and four Liberty engines”. Additional DH9A were acquired and by September 1929 the squadron had 12 aircraft on charge.

DH9A Profile © Malcolm Barrass

FAIREY IIIF

On 5th November 1929, “A” Flight started to re-equip with the Fairey IIIF (with Napier XIA engines), a single-engine, general purpose / light bomber, with a two-man crew. “B” Flight started to re-equip on 12th November 1929. (C Flight re-equipped in January 1930)

Fairey IIIF Profile © Malcolm Barrass

The following pages identify the serial numbers of the aircraft that were on charge of No. 35 Squadron during 1929, along with details of known losses and incidents: