Vincere est vivere - To conquer is to live

No. 143 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed on 1 March 1918 and became a unit of the Royal Air Force a month later, but it disbanded on 31 October 1919 having operated the Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Snipe. On 15 June 1941, No. 143 reformed at Aldergrove as a long-range fighter unit in Coastal Command equipped with Beaufighters and became operational almost immediately. Early in June the Squadron moved first to north-east England and then to Scotland for convoy patrols along the east coast. In December 1941, No. 143 returned to Ireland and became non-operational, giving up its Beaufighters for Blenheims and becoming a training unit. In August 1942, the Squadron moved to East Anglia for convoy patrols and air-sea rescue missions and in September once more began to re-equip with Beaufighters, becoming operational on anti-shipping raids in November. On the 18 April 1943, by which time the wing was better prepared. This time all three squadrons were involved in the attack, while cover was provided by Fighter Command. The attack on a heavily armed convoy near the Dutch coast was a success, and no British aircraft were lost. The squadron remained with the Coates Wing until the late summer. In August 1943 No. 143 moved to Cornwall to provide fighter support for anti-submarine aircraft operating over the Bay of Biscay. In February 1944, it returned to North Coates to resume attacks on enemy shipping and in May moved to Manston to fly anti-E-boat patrols. In October 1944, No. 143 moved to northern Scotland where it converted to Mosquitoes as part of the Banff strike wing for attacks on enemy shipping off Norway for the rest of the war. On 25 May 1945, the Squadron was disbanded and its personnel transferred to No. 14 Squadron.

No.143 Sqn Aviation Art Prints, Paintings and Drawings Aviation Art

Rover Patrol by Richard Taylor 2 editions. Both editions feature up to 3 additional signatures. £115.00 - £135.00

Banff Raiders by Stephen Brown. 3 of 4 editions available. £80.00 - £150.00

Devastating Strike by Robert Taylor. 3 editions. All 3 editions feature up to 8 additional signature(s). £165.00 - £345.00

RAF North Coates Strike Wing by Robin Smith. 2 editions. One edition features 4 additional signatures. £90.00 - £145.00

Text for the above items :

Rover Patrol by Richard Taylor Operating from two airfields in northern Scotland were the Banff and Dallachy Strike Wings, their sole purpose was to attack all German shipping along the Norwegian coast, and they fought a bitter and dangerous campaign against Hitlers once mighty submarine fleet. Heavily defended by shore batteries, Flak ships with terrible firepower, and marauding Luftwaffe fighters, the Mosquitos and Beaufighters of Coastal Command came under intense fire during almost every sortie they flew. Powered by two big Merlin engines, fastest of these fighter-bombers was the sleek, all-wood highly manoeuvrable two seat Mosquito. Armed with four 20min cannon, four .303 Browning machine guns, and with eight 251b solid armourpiercing rockets, this graceful strike aircraft packed a lethal punch. Typically, sorties began in the dark, with pilots flying loose formation at 50 feet across the North Sea, to arrive over the target area at first light. Then, the ever-present barrage of defensive gunfire as pilots hurtled past sheer cliff faces, twisted and turned through narrow sounds, and dived in pursuit of their prey Suddenly, from the quiet peace of early dawn, the still air was shattered by the roar of Merlins, rockets, gunfire, and explosions, resounding off mountain sides in a deafening cacophony of battle. And within minutes they were gone, leaving a trail of smoke, twisted metal, and another nail in the coffin of the Third Reich.

Banff Raiders by Stephen Brown. Mosquito FB VIs of 143 Squadron, Banff Strike Wing, armed with 25-lb solid armour-piercing rockets on a mission over the north sea early in 1945. Based at Banff on the East Coast of Scotland, the Banff Strike Wing was formed in 1944. Its primary role was to combat the threat of enemy shipping operating from the bases deep within the Norwegian fjords.

Devastating Strike by Robert Taylor. It was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world, one of the most envied - and one of the most feared. Built almost entirely of wood and assembled by carpenters, the beautifully streamlined de Havilland Mosquito, or Wooden Wonder was a triumph of ingenuity at a time when resources of light alloys were in short supply. Its greatest attribute was speed. Powered by two phenomenal Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Mosquito became the finest multi-role combat aircraft of World War II. No other Allied military aircraft was built in so many versions for so many roles - a fast bomber which could carry a huge 4,000lb payload; a day or night fighter; a fighter-bomber; trainer; torpedo bomber; photo reconnaissance aircraft; maritime strike aircraft and U-boat hunter were just some of the 43 different variants produced during a long and distinguished career. Mosquitos had pioneered the role of daring precision attacks with the September 1942 raid on the Gestapo Headquarters in Oslo and were involved in the first unescorted high-speed bombing raids on Germany. It was the Mosquito strike wings of Coastal Command, however, that endured some of the fiercest battles of the war. Flying over the unforgiving icy waters of the North Sea to attack enemy shipping along the coasts of Norway, Denmark and Hollad meant that precision flying was essential for survival; especially in the deep, sheer fjords where even the slightest lapse in concentration could result in instant destruction. In this painting, Mosquito Mk.VIs from No.143 Sqn, part of the famous Banff Strike Wing, come under intense defensive fire whilst delivering a blistering strike on enemy shipping off the Norwegian coast in early 1945. Their salvo of rockets, however, will likely be enough to penetrate the hulls of the ships.

RAF North Coates Strike Wing by Robin Smith. The print depicts the three squadrons that comprised the first, and most successful Coastal Command strike wing, based at RAF North Coates, Lincolnshire. Using Beaufighters nicknamed whispering death due to their speed and armament and low noise, they worked together as a team, destroying enemy shipping with terrifying efficiency. A Beaufighter from 143 Squadron would go in first using 20mm nose cannon and wing guns. Secondly a Beaufighter from 236 Squadron would follow with eight 60lb or 25lb rockets - 25lb warheads were found to be more effective as they penetrated deeper into the hull, creating more damage. These two initial attacks reduced the on-deck anti aircraft initiative. You only have to look at some of the spectacular photos of convoys under attack, the ships can hardly be seen for water spray and explosions. This mayhem allowed a 254 Squadron Beaufighter with its 21in torpedo to finish the job off. The three squadrons operated together on three occasions during the war at North Coates, October 1942 - August 1944, February 1944 - May 1944 and September 1944 - October 1944. This painting was commissioned for a reunion of association members at the North Coates airfield in May 2001

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View No.143 Sqn RAF Aircraft

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View No.143 Sqn RAF Signatures

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