II (AC) Squadron History - Inter War Years
Throughout the inter-war period the Squadron saw service in a variety of locations including Galway, Ireland and Shanghai, China. In 1937 while based at RAF Hawkinge the Squadron decided to gain the airforce some valuable publicity with a reconnaissance flight around the United Kingdom (with the alternate motive of taking a good photograph for the squadron Christmas card!). This became known as the II Squadron 'Balbo' after the Italian fascist General Balbo who had just flown from Italy to the US and back in the name of publicity.

The Squadron planned to take-off from Hawkinge in their Hawker Audaxes and fly over Catterick, Leuchers, Inverness, John O'Groats, Abbotsinch, West Freugh, Aldegrove, Sealand, Filton, Lands End, Old Sarum and then back to Hawkinge.

Compared to the first leg the rest of the 'Balbo' was a piece of cake, however upon returning to Hawkinge they found it covered in cloud. Not wishing to disappoint those waiting below Geddes ordered the formation to circle for a while until they found some thin cloud. They then lit flares on their wingtips and made an impressive formation landing. It was the first time Britain had been reconnoitered from the air and of course it was done by 'Shiny Two'.