Was there a real 633 squadron?

THIS HISTORY IS FICTITIOUS, AS THE SQUADRON WAS NEVER FORMED. However it appeared in at least two films and the Museum receives requests for a history of this unit every time they are shown on television.

Is the movie 633 Squadron a true story?

It has often been stated that "633 Squadron" was based on a true story but in fact this is not the case. Rather the story was "inspired by the exploits of the British and Commonwealth Mosquito Air Crews" (as is stated just after the main titles of the film).

Did they use real mosquitoes in 633 Squadron?

Eight Mosquitos were primarily used, five airworthy and others that could be taxied on runways or used as set dressing. The airworthy TT 35 Mosquitos were converted to resemble a fighter-bomber variant (FB Mk VI).

What airfield was 633 Squadron filmed at?

During the 1960s Bovingdon was used in the production of several World War II films including The War Lover (1961), which starred Steve McQueen and 633 Squadron (1964).

Where is the Black Swan pub in 633 Squadron?

The Black Swan public house is the Three Compasses public house, Pegmire Lane, Aldenham, Hertfordshire, still open for business. 633 Squadron aircraft landing at RAF Sutton Craddock bomber airfield. This is actually RAF Bovingdon airfield, northwest of Bovingdon, Hertfordshire.

How many de Havilland Mosquito were shot down?

From September 1944 through to May 1945 a total of 92 night-flying Mosquitos of all marks on bombing, target marking, intruder and night fighter operations were lost.

What squadron was Dambusters?

The Dam Busters were members of the RAF's 617 Squadron who were specially assembled in March 1943 to bomb three dams in Germany's industrial heartland, the Ruhr Valley, just two months later.

What was 633 Squadron famous for?

633 Squadron was the first aviation film to be shot in colour and Panavision widescreen.

What is the motto of 617 Squadron?

' - Official motto of 617 Squadron, meaning 'After me, the flood'. The idea for the Dambusters raid originated in 1940, when aeronautical designer Dr Barnes Wallis calculated the explosive power required to breach the Ruhr dams and discovered that no existing bomber could carry a large enough bomb.

What engine did the Mosquito have?

The Mosquito was powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 engines, similar to those seen in the RAF's Spitfire and Hurricane. The “Wooden Wonder” Mosquito became one of the fastest, far-flying, and most versatile aircraft of World War II.

What happened to Havilland?

De Havilland was purchased by Hawker Siddeley in 1960 and merged into British Aerospace in 1978. The BAE site then closed in 1993, and the University of Hertfordshire purchased part of the site for the de Havilland Campus.

Are there any ww2 mosquitoes still flying?

The de Havilland Mosquito is a British two-engine multi-role combat aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allied air forces during World War II. Of the 7,781 planes built, 30 survive today, four of which are airworthy. Eight planes are currently under restoration.

What aircraft did Guy Gibson fly?

Wing Cdr Gibson commanded 617 Squadron, a force of Lancaster bombers specially formed at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire to attack dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his part in the operation, which breached two of its targets in May 1943.

Are any of the Dambusters still alive?

Squadron Leader George Leonard "Johnny" Johnson, MBE, DFM (born 25 November 1921) is a retired Royal Air Force officer who is the last surviving original member of No. 617 Squadron RAF and of Operation Chastise, the "Dambusters" raid of 1943.

Which airfield did the Dambusters fly from?

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre (BBMF) - Located at RAF Coningsby, this became the home of 617 Squadron (known as the Dambusters) during the second half of the war.

How big is a RAF squadron?

A squadron in air force, army aviation, or naval aviation is a unit comprising a number of military aircraft and their aircrews, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force.

How big is a UK squadron?

A squadron is a sub-unit of a cavalry, engineer or armoured regiment. It is equivalent in status and size to an infantry company and normally consists of two or more troops. Squadrons are commanded by a captain or major and usually named by letter.

What plane dropped the bouncing bomb?

They were dropped by the modified Wellington bomber and at Reculver by a modified de Havilland Mosquito B Mk IV, one of two assigned to Vickers Armstrong for the purpose.

How many Dambusters came back?

The next day, only 11 of them came back. Fifty-six of the faces into which he had looked just a few hours before were gone, and all but three of them were dead.” The raid did succeed in breaching two dams, causing considerable chaos and loss of life.

How much did the bouncing bomb weigh?

The bomb was also fitted with a 90 second time fuse so that if the hydrostatic mechanism failed, the bomb would still detonate. The bomb weighed a total 9,250lb, 6000lb of this weight being explosive charge of TNT and RDX and possibly other materials to improve the efficiency of the explosion.