I change my body, not my spirit.
About
- One of two RAF elementary flying training squadrons.
- Flies from RAF Cranwell as part of 3 Flying Training School.
- Trainees undertake a 50 hour course where they are taught basic aircraft handling, pilot navigation, instrument and formation flying, and low flying.
- Upon completion of training, trainees are 'streamed' to continue training as either Combat Air, Heavy Air or Rotary Wing pilots.
History
1916 - Formed at Copmanthorpe, Yorkshire as a flying training squadron flying Avro 504s and B.E.2s, before moving to France in December of that year as a bomber unit. At the time that 57 Squadron was sent to France, 57 Training Squadron was activated in Egypt and operated until 1918, the two numbers running concurrently.
1919 - Returned to the UK and was disbanded.
1931 - Reactivated as a day bomber unit.
1943 - Supplied the majority of the crews to 617 Squadron (The Dambusters) which stood up at RAF Scampton, where 57 was based.
1951 - Began operating the B-29 Superfortress bomber on loan from the USAF.
1982 - Supplied crews and aircraft to perform air to air refuelling supporting the long range Vulcan raids during the Falklands War.
2008 - Reformed at RAF Wyton flying the Grob Tutor T.1.
