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No.56 Sqn


Aviation Art Prints Countries UK Squadron Index More Squadrons Squadrons 22 to 60 No.56 Sqn

[UP] - No.22 Sqn - No.23 Sqn - No.25 Sqn - No.28 Sqn - No.29 Sqn - No.30 Sqn - No.32 Sqn - No.35 Sqn - No.37 Sqn - No.43 Sqn - No.44 Sqn - No.45 Sqn - No.46 Sqn - No.49 Sqn - No.50 Sqn - No.54 Sqn - No.55 Sqn - No.56 Sqn - No.57 Sqn - No.58 Sqn - No.59 Sqn - No.60 Sqn


No.56 Sqn
Country : UK
Founded : 9th June 1916
Codes : , US, LR, ON,


Punjab

Quid si coelum ruat - What if heaven falls

56 Squadron was formed on 8th June 1916 and in April 1917 was posted to France as part of the Royal Flying Corps. 56 squadron was equipped with the new SE5 fighter. One of the major aerial combats of the squadron was the shooting down of Lt Werner Voss. By the end of the first world war 56 Squadron had scored 402 victories, and many famous fighter aces flew with 56 Squadron including James McCudden, Reginald Hoidge, Gerald Maxwell, Arthur Rhys-Davies, Geoffrey Hilton Bowman, Richard Mayberry, Leonard Monteagle Barlow, Cyril Crowe, Maurice Mealing, Albert Ball, Harold Walkerdine, William Roy Irwin, Eric Broadberry, Kenneth William Junor, Cecil Leiws, Keith Muspratt, Duncan Grinnell-Milne, William Spurret Fielding-Johnson, William Otway Boger, Charles Jeffs, and Harold Molyneux. The squadron lost 40 pilots during the first world war with another twenty wounded and thirty one taken prisoner. When world war two broke out on the 6th of September 1939, 56 Squadron was based at North Weald. 56 Squadron flew Hurricanes during the Battle of France and during the Battle of Britain. 56 Squadron claimed just over 100 enenmy aircraft shot down during 1940. In 1941 as part of the Duxford Wing it was the first squadron to be equipped with the new Hawker Typhoon and during 1942 and 1943 was based ay RAF Matlaske as part of No.12 Group. No 56 Squadron was the frist squadron to confirm a victory while flying the Hawker Typhoon. In 1944 56 Squadron moved to RAF Newchurch and was re equipped with the new Hawker Tempest V, becoming part of the No.150 Wing under the command of the Ace Wing Commander Roland Beamont. 56 Squadron's new role was to defend Britian against the V1 flying bombs, and the squadron shot down around 75 V1s. The squadron moved to Europe on the 28th of September 1944 to Grimbergen in Belgium as part fo 122 Wing of the Second Tactical Air Force. During this period to the end of the war 56 Squadron became joint top scorers with a total of 149 aircraft cliamed. Over its history the squadron flew, SE5's Sopwith Snipes, Gloster Grebes, Armstrong Whitworth Siskins, Bristol Bulldogs, Gloster Gauntlets, Gloster Gladiators, Harker Hurricanes, Hawker Typhoon, and Hawker Tempests. Battle of Honours of the Squadron are : Western front 1917 - 1918 , Arras, Ypres 1917, Cambrai 1917, Soome 1918, Amiens, Hindenburg Line. During World war two : France and the Low Countries 1940, Battle of Britian, Fortress Europe 1942 - 1944, Dieppe, France, Germany 1944 - 1945, Home Defence 1942 - 1945 and Arnhem.



No.56 Sqn Aviation Art Prints, Paintings and Drawings
Aviation Art

Normandy Beach Head Patrol by Geoff Lea.


Normandy Beach Head Patrol by Geoff Lea.
6 editions.
2 of the 6 editions feature up to 3 additional signatures.
£50.00 - £2600.00

Magnificent Courage by Stan Stokes.


Magnificent Courage by Stan Stokes.
One edition.
£35.00

Last Dogfight of Werner Voss by Ivan Berryman.


Last Dogfight of Werner Voss by Ivan Berryman.
9 of 10 editions available.
All 2 editions featuring an additional signature are available.
£2.70 - £1280.00


Lightning Tribute by Stephen Brown.


Lightning Tribute by Stephen Brown.
3 editions.
All 3 editions feature up to 5 additional signature(s).
£55.00 - £190.00

Oberleutnant Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen by Ivan Berryman.


Oberleutnant Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen by Ivan Berryman.
7 of 8 editions available.
£2.70 - £500.00

James McCudden by Ivan Berryman.


James McCudden by Ivan Berryman.
8 of 9 editions available.
£2.70 - £500.00


Brief Encounter by Gerald Coulson.


Brief Encounter by Gerald Coulson.
3 editions.
£100.00 - £150.00

Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor


Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor
2 of 3 editions available.
All 3 editions feature up to 21 additional signatures.
£260.00 - £635.00

Blackpool Showtime by Robert Tomlin.


Blackpool Showtime by Robert Tomlin.
One edition.
The edition features 2 additional signature(s).
£40.00


McCudden, VC by Ivan Berryman.


McCudden, VC by Ivan Berryman.
3 of 4 editions available.
£9.00 - £20.00

Cruising  by Robert Tomlin.

Cruising by Robert Tomlin.
One edition.
£50.00



Text for the above items :

Normandy Beach Head Patrol by Geoff Lea.

Spitfire Mk9. of 56 squadron patrol the D-Day landings.


Magnificent Courage by Stan Stokes.

On April 6, 1916 the RFC formed several new squadrons, including the No. 56 Squadron - Scouts. In March of 1917 the unit received the first of its new SE5s. The aircraft was disappointing to the pilots, being slower than expected, and its new Vickers machine gun with interrupter gear was next to useless. Many modifications ensued in the field, and many SE5s were fitted with Lewis guns located atop the upper wing, and in some cases an additional Lewis was installed which could be fired downward through the cockpit. In early April of 1917 No. 56 was ready to see its first combat action, and the unit headed off to France. About nine months earlier the pendulum of air superiority had swung back to the Germans. The Fokker scourge of 1915 had previously been negated by the deployment of DH2 and FE8 aircraft, but the newer German Albatros and Halberstadt fighters had regained the upper hand. The RFC was once again suffering unsustainable casualties. No. 56 Squadron was immediately pressed into service upon its deployment in France, and over the next several months gave a good account of itself. The Squadrons first victory came on April 22, and went to Albert Ball who would become a high scoring ace. On September 23, 1917 many of No. 56 Squadrons pilots would become engaged in what would be considered as one of the epic battles of early aerial warfare. At about 5:00 PM in the evening eleven SE5s took off for a routine patrol. There were heavy clouds at 9,000 feet, effectively limiting the ceiling. Several engagements took place prior to James McCudden noticing a lone SE5 from No. 60 Squadron under attack by a German triplane. Unknown to McCudden was the fact that the triplane was piloted by Werner Voss, a top German ace with 48 confirmed victories. During the next several minutes 7 SE5s focused their efforts on attacking Voss triplane. Voss had several opportunities to make a dash for the German lines, but chose to stay and fight. Demonstrating beautiful flying and determination, Voss held the massed SE5s at bay, and managed to inflict damage on each and every one. With maneuvers made so quickly and so unpredictably, none of the SE5 pilots could keep Voss in their gunsights long enough to fire a meaningful burst. Voss managed to damage two of the SE5s enough that they withdrew from the fight, and a red-nosed German Albatros joined in the fray for a short time. At one point in the battle McCudden indicated that the triplane was in the cone of tracer bullets from at least five machines simultaneously. Voss could out climb and outmaneuver all the RFC craft. Minutes later at about 2,000 feet the SE5 piloted by Arthur Rhys Davids managed to catch the German ace in a straight flat dive, and approached to within feet of the triplanes tail, firing a solid burst before pulling out of his dive. Moments later the triplane hit the ground and disintegrated. Later that evening the pilots of 56 Squadron recounted the epic battle speculating as to who might have been the pilot of the German triplane. The next morning General Trenchard sent an aide to 56 Squdron to elicit details of the battle. In this report James McCudden paid the following tribute to Voss, As long as I live I shall never forget that German pilot who single-handedly fought seven of us for ten minutes, and who put some bullets through all our machines. His flying was wonderful, his courage magnificent, and in my opinion he is the bravest German airman whom it has been my privilege to see fight.


Last Dogfight of Werner Voss by Ivan Berryman.

The air battle that took place above the trenches of France on the evening of 23rd September 1917 was to go down in history as one of the most extraordinary dogfights ever. The young German ace Werner Voss found himself engaged with no fewer than eleven SE5s of 56 Sqn, among them British aces such as James McCudden and Arthur Rhys Davids. Hugely outnumbered, the brave Voss saw off several British aircraft with his amazing airmanship and accuracy of fire. Again and again he could have fled the scene due to his Triplanes superior rate of climb, but his attacks were insistent and deadly. His final moments came when Rhys Davids found himself on the tail of Voss and fired both his Lewis and Vickers guns into the little turqoise Triplane which was seen to drift toward the ground, his aircraft inverting before impact, killing Voss instantly. The painting shows Voss distinctive pre-production Fokker F. 1, with the yellow nose of Jasta 10, being pursued by the SE5 of Rhys Davids while, high above,a Spad is helping to keep a gaggle of Albatross DVs at bay.


Lightning Tribute by Stephen Brown.

Lightning F. Mk 1As of 56 Squadron on a pilot training sortie during 1963. During the early 1960s many Lightning squadrons gave their aircraft colourful paint schemes, none was more striking than 56 Squadron (The Firebirds), who in 1963 doubled as the official RAF display team.


Oberleutnant Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen by Ivan Berryman.

On the evening of 7th May 1917, a fierce battle took place involving aircraft of Jasta 11 and 56 Sqn RFC, the former led by the brother of the Red Baron, Lothar von Richthofen. As the sun dipped beneath the heavy clouds, most expected the dogfight to break off in the fading light, but an extraordinary duel between the RFCs Captain Albert Ball and Lothar von Richthofen broke out, the two aircraft flying directly at each other, firing continuously, then turning and repeating the manoeuvre. Lothars all red Albatross was damaged, but landed safely. Albert Balls SE5, however, was seen by observers to fall through the heavy cloudbase inverted, before crashing heavily, fatally wounding Ball.


James McCudden by Ivan Berryman.

SE5As of B Flight, 56 Sqn led by James McCudden in the aircraft numbered B519, on patrol over the Western Front in 1917.


Brief Encounter by Gerald Coulson.

Royal Flying Corps SE5As of 56 squadron engaged in air combat with flying circus Fokker Dr1s commanded by the great German ace Baron von Richthofen, France 1917.


Glorious Summer by Robert Taylor

Throughout the long hot summer of 1940 the destiny of the British Isles, indeed the future of Europe, lay in the hands of a small band of young RAF fighter pilots. Against them stood the vast aerial fleets of an all-powerful Luftwaffe, gloating and confident from its victories in Poland, France and the Low Countries. Lying in wait across the Channel, anticipating an easy victory by its air force, were the armies of the most powerful tyrant the world had ever known. With Europe already succumbed to Nazi rule, Britain was alone, the last bastion among the free nations to stand against an evil empire bent upon world domination. The battle, the first ever to be fought entirely in the air, would change the course of history, whatever the outcome.

Outnumbered more than five to one at the outset, the odds were so heavily stacked against the RAF, the task looked hopeless. But as the ferocious aerial battles continued through the long summer months, the tactical skills, devotion and raw courage of the RAF's young flyers, gradually turned the tide. By September end, the battle was won and the defeated Luftwaffe retired to its plundered territories to lick its wounds.

Image shows nearest, young Pilot Officer Geoffrey Page, later to become one of the RAFs most highly decorated fighter aces, powers his Mk I Hurricane over the country lane at the edge of the airfield, as he and his fellow No 56 Squadron pilots make their third scramble of the day.


Blackpool Showtime by Robert Tomlin.

During the Air Show Season each year the Royal Air Force provides one of their latest Tornado F3 interceptors to thrill the crowds throughout Europe. The year 2002 represents the second year that the aircraft has been provided by 56 (R) Squadron from RAF Conningsby and is once again crewed by F1t Lt Simon Stevens as pilot and F1t Lt Dave Chadderton as Navigator. This will be their last year as F3 Display Team and so this print is issued to commemorate two fabulous years of thrilling and dynamic displays. Some of their highlights are the several seafront displays that take place around the shores of the UK and none more special to them that the one at Blackpool, close to Daves roots and considered their home display. With the unmistakeable form of Blackpool Tower in the background, Simon pulls the F3 up into a tight turn after a high speed pass.


McCudden, VC by Ivan Berryman.

Major James McCudden is pictured in his 56 Sqn S.E.5a B519 on a patrol during August 1917. In this month alone, he shot down four Albatross DVs. His final tally of victories totalled a remarkable 57 before he was killed in a flying accident in 1918.


Cruising by Robert Tomlin.

After a practice scramble, a Lightning F1A of 56 Squadron RAF The Firebirds, makes a gentle turn over the famous Langdale Pikes in the Lake District in preparation for a steady cruise back to base.



View No.56 Sqn RAF Aircraft


View No.56 Sqn RAF Signatures
Aces for : No.56 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.
NameVictoriesInfo
James McCudden57.00
Albert Ball44.00
Geoffrey Hilton Bowman32.00
Reginald T C Hoidge27.00
Richard A Mayberry25.00
Arthur P F Rhys-Davies23.00
Gerald J C Maxwell21.00
Leonard M Barlow18.00
F W Higginson15.00The signature of F W Higginson features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Alan Geoffrey Page12.50The signature of Alan Geoffrey Page features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Cyril M Crowe12.00
Maurice E Mealing12.00
Hugh Spencer Leslie Dundas11.00The signature of Hugh Spencer Leslie Dundas features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.
Gordon Sinclair10.00The signature of Gordon Sinclair features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available.



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