No. 251 Squadron

No. 251 Squadron RAF was formed on 1 August 1944 at Reykjavik, Iceland, when No. 1407 (Meteorological) Flight was renumbered to squadron status under RAF Coastal Command. Operating throughout from its Icelandic base, the unit carried out two complementary duties: regular meteorological reconnaissance flights over the North Atlantic, and air-sea rescue patrols. Its principal aircraft was the Lockheed Hudson, two of which were fitted with air-droppable lifeboats for rescue work; Lockheed Venturas and Avro Ansons were also on strength in the early months, with Boeing Fortress IIs arriving from March 1945 and Vickers Warwicks from August of that year. The squadron’s badge — a weathercock — and its motto “However wind blows” reflected the primacy of its meteorological mission. It was disbanded on 30 October 1945 following the end of hostilities.