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Aviation Art Prints Countries UK Squadron Index 85 Squadron |
[UP] - 617 Squadron (Dambusters) - Red Arrows - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - 85 Squadron - 41 Squadron - 64 Squadron - More Squadrons |
No.85 Sqn
Country : UK
Founded : 1st August 1917
Disbanded 19th December 1975
Codes : , VY, NO,
Noctu diuque venamur - We hunt by day and night
No. 85 Squadron was formed on the 1st of August 1917 at Uphaven. Shortly afterwards the squadron moved to Mousehold Heath nea Norwich under the command of Major R A Archer. The squadron transferred to Hounslow in November 1917 and in March 1918 received its new commander Major William Avery Bishop VC, DSO, MC. On 1st April 1918 No.85 Squadron was transferred into the new Royal Air Force and went to France in May1918 flying the Sopwith Dolphin and later SE5A's. 85 Squadron duties were fighter patrols and ground attack sorties over the western front until the end of the war. On 21st June 1918 Major Edward Mannock DSO MC became commanding officer. On the 26th July 1918 during a patrol with Lt DC Inglis over the front line Major Mannock failed to return and on the 18th of July 1919 Major Mannock was awarded a posthumous VC. No. 85 Squadron had 99 victories during their stint on the western front, returning to the UK in February 1919, and being disbanded on the 3rd of July 1919. 85 Squadron was reformed on June 1st, 1938, as part of A Flight of 87 Squadron based at RAF Debden commanded by Flight Lieutenant D E Turner. The squadron started training on the Gloster Gladiator until the 4th of September when Hawker Hurricanes were supplied. On the outbreak of World War Two the squadron moved to Boos as part of the Air Component of the BEF 60th Fighter Wing, and their Hurricanes were given the role to support the squadrons of Bristol Blenheims and Fairey Battles. By 1st November 85 Squadron's Hurricanes were moved to Lille Seclin. 85 Squadron scored its first victory of World War Two when Flight Lieutenant R.H.A. Lee attacked an He111 which crashed into the Channel, exploding on impact while on patrol over the Boulogne area. In May 1940, during the German advance, 85 Squadron were in combat constantly and over an 11 day period the squadron confirmed 90 enemy kills. When their operating airfields were overun the squadron's last remaining three Hurricanes returned to England. The squadron lost 17 pilots (two killed, six wounded and nine missing). During the Battle of Britian the squadron took part in the conflict over southern England and in October the Squadron moved to Yorkshire and were given the new role of night fighter patrols. 85 Squadron continued in the night fighter role for most of the war, with only a brief period as bomber support as part of 100 group.
No.85 Sqn Aviation Art Prints, Paintings and Drawings Aviation Art |
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Text for the above items : |
Hurricane Patrol by Graeme Lothian. After taking part in the Battle of France early in 1940, 85 Squadron moved to Croydon on the 19th August, where, led by renowned squadron leader Peter Townsend DSO DFC, the squadron played a notable part in the Battle of Britain. Thirty Hurricane squadrons participated in the Battle of Britain compared to only eighteen Spitfire squadrons, claiming 80 percent of the RAF victories. Sir Sidney Camms innovative design ensured the Hurricane became a classic fighter. Hurricane Patrol portrays Squadron Leader Peter Townsend leading 85 Squadron on a high altitude sortie during the long hot summer of 1940. |
Defence of the Capital by Gerald Coulson. High over London, Hurricanes of 85 Squadron engage Me109s in an intense dogfight during the heavy fighting of August 1940. |
Defence of the Realm by Robert Taylor. In the azure skies above London and the south-eastern Shires of England during the long, hot summer of 1940, a small band of RAF fighter pilots, substantially out-numbered, and against all odds, flew and fought a savage aerial battle in defence of the Realm. Their success in repelling the might of the Luftwaffe has become legend. They were Churchills FEW. Fresh from the heat of battle after a dog-fight over the city, No. 85 Squadrons C.O., Peter Townsend, levels off and turns his Hurricane for home to re-fuel, re-arm, and rejoin the fight. A symbolic portrayal paying tribute to the Hawker Hurricane and its legendary pilots who, between them, accounted for four of every five enemy aircraft destroyed during the momentous Battle of Britain. |
Close Combat by Ivan Berryman. Whilst flying with A Flight of 85 Squadron on 30th July 1940, Geoffrey Allard encountered a pair of Messerschmitt Bf.110s about 40 miles from the coast, apparently patrolling near a convoy. After Squadron Leader Townsend, flying Red 1, had made two unsuccessful attacks, Allard closed to 150 yards and began to fire continuously, eventually closing to just 25 yards, whereupon the starboard engine of the Bf.110 began to disintegrate. This was just one of eight victories that Allard claimed during the Battle of Britain to add to a previous eight that he had scored flying Hurricanes during the Battle of France. |
Fury of Assault by Robert Taylor. When Luftwaffe bombers first appeared in force in the night skies over London in September 1940 they heralded the beginning of The Blitz - the most sustained period of concentrated bombing aimed at British cities during World War II. Robert Taylors evocative painting brings to life the frightening scenario of the Luftwaffes night bombing campaign. It is December 1941, and London is once again under concentrated attack. With fires raging below, the armada of German bombers is clearly visible in the night sky as they sweep across the city. Shimmering in the glow of destruction, a lone Hurricane night-fighter from 85 Squadron, based at nearby Gravesend, engages Heinkel 111s of KG55 in a desperate attempt to break up the formations. |
Hawker Hurricane MkI by Keith Woodcock. No.85 Squadron Hurricanes scramble. |
Time To Go by Philip West. Late 1944 and as the sun sets, Mark XIX Mosquito night fighters from 85 and 157 Squadrons based at RAF Swannington crew up for their next operation over hostile territory. These Mosquitoes scored many victories in the defence of Bomber Command aircraft and their crews during their relentless and dangerous missions over Germany. |
Battle of Britain - 85 Squadron Hurricanes by Graeme Lothian. (P) Hurricanes of 85 Squadron scramble during the Battle of Britain. |
Return From Combat by Simon Smith. Two 85 squadron Hurricanes returning to base after a battle over the skies of southern England in the summer of 1940. |
Hurricanes - 85 Squadron by Graeme Lothian. (P) Hawker Hurricanes of No.85 Sqn RAF take off to intercept another enemy raid during the Battle of Britain. |
Hurricane Scramble by Michael Turner. Hurricanes of 85 Sqn. scramble from Merville, France, in May 1940. |
The Fly Past by Robin Smith. Hurricane MK1 of 85 Sqdn, Debden. |
Moral Support by Robert Taylor. SOLD OUT. |
Aces for : No.85 Sqn RAF | ||
A list of all Aces from our database who are known to have flown with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking the pilots name. | ||
Name | Victories | Info |
William Billy Bishop | 72.00 | The signature of William Billy Bishop features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
Edward Mannock | 61.00 | |
Geoffrey Allard | 23.80 | |
Branse A Burbridge | 21.00 | The signature of Branse A Burbridge features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
John Cunningham | 20.00 | The signature of John Cunningham features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
John W Warner | 8.00 | |
William Henry Hodgson | 6.00 | |
Lawrence K Callahan | 5.00 |
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