The Vickers Wellington is a British twin-engined, long-range medium bomber aircraft that was produced from 1936 to 1945 and used throughout World War II. It was operated by a number of nations and service branches around the world.
Operators
Australia Royal Australian Air Force No. 458 Squadron RAAF Code letters "FU" No. 460 Squadron RAAF Code letters "UV" and "AR" No. 466 Squadron RAAF Code letters "HD"
Canada Royal Canadian Air Force No. 405 Squadron RCAF 'Vancouver Squadron' Code letters "LQ" No. 407 Squadron RCAF Code Letters "RR" No. 415 Squadron RCAF Code Letters "6U" No. 419 Squadron RCAF 'Moose Squadron' Code letters "VR" No. 420 Squadron RCAF 'Snowy Owl Squadron' Code letters "PT" No. 424 Squadron RCAF 'Tiger Squadron' Code letters "QB" No. 425 Squadron RCAF 'Alouette Squadron' Code letters "KW" No. 426 Squadron RCAF 'Thunderbird Squadron' Code letters "OW" No. 427 Squadron RCAF 'Lion Squadron' Code letters "ZL" No. 428 Squadron RCAF 'Ghost Squadron' Code letters "NA" No. 429 Squadron RCAF 'Bison Squadron' Code letters "AL" No. 431 Squadron RCAF Code Letters "SE" No. 432 Squadron RCAF 'Leaside Squadron' Code letters "QO"
Czechoslovakia Czechoslovak Air Force in exile in Great Britain No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron Code letters "KX"
Free France Free French Air Force No. 326 Squadron RAF No. 344 Squadron RAF
France Aéronavale Flottille 2.F (earlier No. 344 Squadron RAF) operated Wellingtons between 1945 and 1952."Flottille 2.F" entry at the French Fleet Air Arm website Escadrille 55.S operated Wellingtons between 1948 and 1952."Escadrille 55.S" entry at the French Fleet Air Arm website
Nazi Germany
Luftwaffe 2./Versuchsverband OKL operated a few captured aircraft.
Greece Hellenic Air Force No. 13 Squadron RHAF No. 355 Squadron RHAF operated Wellingtons after WW2, mainly for transport duties.
New Zealand RNZAF received 30 Wellington Mark I's before WW2, the first 18 of which were training with the RAF when in August 1939 they were loaned, together with aircrew, to the UK, forming the unit which later became No. 75 Squadron RNZAF.
Royal New Zealand Air Force No. 75 Squadron RNZAF, Code letters "AA", "JN"
Poland
Polish Air Forces in exile in Great Britain No. 300 Polish Bomber Squadron "Land of Masovia" Code letters "BH" No. 301 Polish Bomber Squadron "Land of Pomerania" Code letters "GR" No. 304 Polish Bomber Squadron "Land of Silesia" Code letters "NZ" and "2" No. 305 Polish Bomber Squadron "Land of Greater Poland" Squadron Code "SM"
Portugal Portuguese Air Force One Vickers Wellington was interned in Portugal during World War II.
South Africa South African Air Force 17 Squadron SAAF 26 Squadron SAAF 28 Squadron SAAF
United Kingdom Royal Air Force
Fleet Air Arm 716 Naval Air Squadron 728 Naval Air Squadron 736 Naval Air Squadron 758 Naval Air Squadron 762 Naval Air Squadron 765 Naval Air Squadron 783 Naval Air Squadron
References
Citations
Bibliography
History of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Christopher Shores, Royce Publications, Toronto, 1984