42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron is an ISTAR Operational Conversion Unit, based at RAF Lossiemouth. The Squadron currently trains aircrew and engineers for the P-8A Poseidon.
42 (TB) Squadron commenced engineer training for E-7 Wedgetail in 2024 and will start training E-7 aircrew in 2025.
1916 Formed from No. 19 Squadron Royal Flying Corps at RAF Filton.
1919 Disbanded at RAF Netheravon, after the war.
1936 Reformed from 22 Sqn ‘B’ Flight, into 42 Squadron, equipped with Vickers Vildebeests, before acquiring Bristol Beauforts.
1942 Operated as a Bomber Unit and fighter-bomber unit operating Blenheims and Hurricanes.
1945 42 Squadron again disbanded on 30 June, but on the following day No. 146 Squadron become 42 Squadron, before disbanding again on 30 December at Meiktela.
1946 No. 254 Squadron renumbered to No. 42 Squadron at RAF Thorney Island, equipped with Bristol Beaufighters, as a strike unit.
1947 No. 42 Squadron disbanded again.
1952 No. 42 Squadron reformed at RAF St. Eval, operating Avro Shackleton MR.1, as Maritime Reconnaissance.
1958 Relocated to RAF St. Mawgan.
1971 No. 42 Squadron converted to Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR. 1s.
1982 Unit operated out of Wideawake Airfield, Ascension Island, during the Falklands War.
1992 Disbanded as a front-line unit but reformed as the Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Kinloss.
2011 Disbanded alongside other Nimrod Units
2023 Reformed at RAF Lossiemouth, taking on the Operational Conversion Unit for Poseidon
1916 Somme
1916-1918* Western Front
1917-1918* Italian Front & Adriatic
1917 Arras
1917 Ypres
1939-42* Lys: Channel & North Sea
1940* Biscay
1941* Baltic
1941 Fortress Europe
1943-45 Pacific
1943* Eastern Waters
1943-44* Arakan
1944* Manipur
1944-45 Burma
1982 South Atlantic
1991 Gulf War
Honours marked with an asterisk (*) are those emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
