Generic term used to more closely define the role of a squadron in the Royal Air Force or the Fleet Air Arm. When used as a part of the unit title, the word Fighter is frequently bracketed as in "No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron RAF."
The word “fighter” was first used to describe a 2 seater aircraft, with sufficient lift to carry a machine gun and its operator as well as the pilot. The first such fighters belonged to the Gunbus series of experimental gun carriers of the British Vickers company which culminated in the Vickers F.B.5 Gunbus of 1914. The main drawback of this type of aircraft was its lack of speed. It was quickly realised that an aircraft intended to destroy its kind in the air needed at least to be fast enough to catch its quarry.
The word "fighter" did not become the official British term for a single seat fighter until after the First World War. In the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force such aircraft continued to be called "scouts" into the early nineteen twenties.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Fighter Squadron
" The Ministry of Defence has announced it is to scrap one of its squadrons at RAF Leuchars with the loss of 80 jobs. The decision follows plans to phase out the fleet of Tornado fighter jets and replace them with the more advanced Typhoon Eurofighter aircraft. Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth ..."
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" Well, the Poles fought, very bravely, on our side during WW2. Polish fighter squadrons made an enormous impact and their infantry were, by repute, excellent soldiers. I see no reason why Poles shouldn’t join today’s army. I bet more of them would volunteer than certain other nationalities I could mention ! Rocky "
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" A British soldier could face court-martial for allegedly relaying the wrong coordinates to a US fighter jet in Afghanistan that led to the bombing of a British position and 3 soldiers’ deaths last year. Citing privacy laws, Ministry of Defence representatives would not identify the soldier, ..."
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" Britain’s ability to defend itself against an attack from the Soviet Union was so diminished in the late 1970s that the Prime Minister exclaimed: "Heaven help us if there is a war!" James Callaghan’s handwritten note came after he had reviewed top-secret briefings which showed that ..."
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" There they were, a crew of 4, aboard the commercial fishing boat, the Bold Venture, about 60 miles west of Panama City, Florida. Trailing behind the vessel, connected to a hydraulic spool, was 8 miles of line with 2,000 hooks, designed to snare up to 3,800lb of fish. One of the hooks caught ..."
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