434 Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron

Second World War The unit was first formed at RAF Tholthorpe, United Kingdom on 13 June 1943, flying the Handley Page Halifax Mk V. On 13 August 1943 it flew its first operational sortie, a bombing raid across the Alps to Milan, Italy. In May 1944 the unit received Halifax Mk IIIs to replace its Mk Vs. The squadron was adopted by the Rotary Club of Halifax, Nova Scotia and to show its connection to the city adopted the nickname "Bluenose Squadron", the common nickname for people from Nova Scotia and a tribute to the schooner Bluenose; an image of the schooner appeared on the squadron badge. ==Aircraft==

• Handley Page Halifax • Avro Lancaster • Canadair Sabre • Canadair CF-104 Starfighter • Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter • Canadair CT-133 Silver Star • Canadair Challenger ==Badges==

Image:434SqnCrest.jpg|434 Squadron badge from the mid-1970s Image:CF5Crest.jpg|CF-5 badge worn by squadron aircrew and groundcrew in the mid-1970s ==References==