| No. 666 Squadron AAC (V) No. 666 Squadron AAC 666 Aviation Squadron No. 666 (Scottish) Squadron RAuxAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 May 1949 – 10 March 1957 (RAuxAF) 19 Aug 1969 - 1 Apr 1978 1979 - 1 April 2009 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Part of | 7 Regiment Army Air Corps |
| Motto(s) | Latin:Speculatus ascendimus (Translation: "We ascend to observe")[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | Badge: In front of two gun barrels in saltire, a lion rampant charged with theCross of St. Andrew[1] |
| Squadron Codes | ROG (May 1949 – Apr 1951)[2][3] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Reconnaissance | Auster AOP.6 |
No. 666 Squadron AAC (V) is a former squadron of theBritish Army'sArmy Air Corps (AAC). It was previouslyNo. 666 Squadron RAF, a unit of theRoyal Air Force during theSecond World War and afterwards became aRoyal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) squadron between 1 May 1949 and 10 March 1957.
No. 666 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force air observation post (AOP) squadron associated with the Canadian 1st Army and later part of theRoyal Auxiliary Air Force. Numbers 651 to 663 Squadron of the RAF wereair observation post units working closely withBritish Army units in artillery spotting and liaison. A further three of these squadrons, 664–666, were manned with Canadian personnel. Their duties and squadron numbers were transferred to the Army with the formation of theArmy Air Corps on 1 September 1957[4][5]
No. 666 Squadron RCAF was first formed on 5 March 1945[1] atRAF Andover as an air observation post (AOP) squadron associated with theCanadian 1st Army. After a period working together with the Canadian army and later with the occupation forces in Germany the squadron disbanded on 30 September 1946.[1][6]
As the number was not transferred to the Canadian authorities, it was revived post-war when the squadron was reformed asNo. 666 (Scottish) Squadron RAuxAF, part of theRAuxAF on 1 May 1949 atScone. Equipped withAuster AOP.6 aircraft, the squadron's headquarters was located atRAF Perth/Scone, with three detached flights, Nos. 1966, 1967 and 1968 Reserve AOP Flight RAF[7] at respectively RAF Perth/Scone,RAF Renfrew (laterRAF Abbotsinch) andRAF Turnhouse,[1] before it was disbanded on 10 March 1957 by transferring to theArmy Air Corps.[8]
| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1949 | November 1951 | Taylorcraft Auster | V |
| June 1949 | February 1957 | Auster | AOP.6 |
| From | To | Base | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1949 | 10 March 1957 | RAF Perth/Scone,Perth and Kinross,Scotland | No. 1966 Reserve AOP Flight RAuxAF |
| 1 May 1949 | 10 March 1957 | RAF Turnhouse,Edinburgh, Scotland | No. 1968 Reserve AOP Flight RAuxAF |
| 1 December 1951 | 5 December 1952 | RAF Renfrew,Renfrewshire, Scotland | No. 1967 Reserve AOP Flight RAuxAF |
| 5 December 1952 | 10 March 1957 | RAF Abbotsinch, Renfrewshire, Scotland |
666 Aviation Squadron was formed on 19 August 1969 at Coypool,Plymouth within3 Division Aviation Regiment,Army Air Corps. On 1 January 1973, 3 Division Aviation Regiment was renamed to3 Regiment Army Air Corps and 666 Aviation Squadron AAC became 666 Squadron AAC. On 1 January 1973 the squadron moved toAlanbrooke Barracks, Topcliffe to support24th Airportable Brigade, however on 1 April 1978 the squadron was disbanded and becameNo. 655 Squadron AAC.
666 Squadron was reformed as666 Squadron AAC (V) during 1979 atAirfield Camp, Netheravon within7 Regiment Army Air Corps (V) operatingWestland Gazelle AH.1's.
666 Squadron AAC (V) was reformed on 26 April 1986 at Netheravon with the Scout AH.1.[9][10]
The squadron was disbanded on 1 April 2009, still at Netheravon.[11]
A fictional 666 Squadron featured in theAir Ace Picture Library storyThe Bomber Barons. This 666 Squadron was a bomber unit founded at the outbreak ofWorld War II, operatingHandley Page Hampdens (September 1939 – December 1940),Avro Manchesters (January 1941 – 1942),Avro Lancasters (1942–1944) andAvro Vulcans (1960s – 1982).[12] In the long-running series of 'Biggles' books byW. E. Johns, 666 Squadron, RAF, is the Special Duties squadron led by the eponymous hero James Bigglesworth during World War II. In theCharles Stross novel "The Fuller Memorandum" 666 Squadron is a secret RAF unit involved on occult activities.
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