World War I No. 151 squadron was founded at Hainault Farm in
Essex on 12 June 1918, and was equipped with
Sopwith Camel aircraft. During the five months in which 151 Squadron had taken part in hostilities overseas, the total number of hours flown by night was 1443 hrs 26 mins. Sixteen enemy aircraft were destroyed at night on the Allies side of the lines, and five were destroyed on the enemy side and confirmed. Another five were unconfirmed, thus making a total of twenty six successful engagements. Of the enemy aircraft destroyed, twenty two were AEGs, Friedrichshafen or Gothas, with two engines and carrying a crew of three or more. Two were giant P 52's with five engines carrying a crew of up to eight or nine. During all the numerous combats there were very few occasions when the guns jammed or caused trouble, reflecting the devotion to duty of Lt Eggar and his gunnery staff. The squadron was disbanded on 10 September 1919.
World War II On 4 August 1936 the squadron was reformed at
RAF North Weald from 'B' Flight of
56 Squadron, as a fighter squadron, flying
Gloster Gauntlets. In December 1938 these were exchanged for
Hawker Hurricanes, when the squadron came under
Squadron Leader Edward Mortlock Donaldson. It operated throughout the
Second World War, flying with
Hawker Hurricanes,
Boulton Paul Defiants and later
de Havilland Mosquitoes, disbanding on 10 October 1946 at
RAF Weston Zoyland. One of its most successful pilots was Flight Lieutenant
Richard Stevens, who destroyed 15 aircraft during 1941 while flying the Hurricane during
The Blitz.
After World War II The squadron was reformed again at
RAF Leuchars,
Scotland on 15 September 1951 as a night fighter unit, initially operating
De Havilland Vampire NF.10s and later
Gloster Meteor NF.11s. It disbanded on 19 September 1961. On 1 January 1962 the Signals Development Squadron at
RAF Watton was redesignated as No. 151 Squadron operating a variety of aircraft on development and training duties. It was joined by the pilots and ground crew from the disbanded
No. 97 (Strategic Missile) Squadron from
RAF Hemswell on 25 May 1963. On 18 September 1981 151 Squadron reformed at
RAF Chivenor as part of
No. 2 Tactical Weapons Unit RAF (2 TWU) operating
BAE Hawk T1 & T1A aircraft. When 2 TWU became
No. 7 Flying Training School RAF in 1992, 151 Squadron was disbanded and its duties taken over by
92 Squadron. ==Aircraft operated==