No. 517 Squadron was formed on 11 August 1943 at
RAF St Eval,
Cornwall, when
No. 1404 (Meteorological) Flight RAF was re-numbered. It was equipped with
Lockheed Hudsons and
Handley Page Hampdens, which it flew daily out into the Atlantic to collect meteorological data. Between September and November 1943 four
United States Army Air Forces Flying Fortresses were temporarily attached to the squadron, awaiting the arrival of adapted
Handley Page Halifaxes. By November 1943 the squadron had re-equipped with the Halifax and then moved to
RAF St Davids in
Wales. Two further moves followed, one to
RAF Brawdy in February 1944 and then after the war to
RAF Chivenor where the squadron was disbanded on 21 June 1946. ==Aircraft operated==