RAF Patch b 57 Squadron Royal Air Force Crest c Victor Tanker a

RAF Patch 57 Squadron LVII Royal Air Force Crest Patch 1980 Victor Tanker Air Refuelling Applique Embroidered on wool cut edge 108mm by 80mm four and one quarter inches by three and one eighth inches.

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Squadron History

Following its wartime bomber role with Wellington and Lancasters 57 Squadron disbanded on 25 November 1945 at RAF West Kirkby and reformed the next day 26 November 1945 on the renumbering of 103 Squadrons Lincoln Flight at RAF Elsham Wolds. In May 1951 the squadron converted to Washington bombers before reequipping with Canberra bombers in May 1953. 57 Squadron disbanded on 9 December 1957. 

The squadron re-formed on 1 January 1959 at RAF Honington equipped with the Victor bombers forming part of the RAFs V Bomber airborne nuclear deterrent force. In December 1965 57 Squadron relocated to RAF Marham in December 1965 and converted to an air refuelling role with Victor tankers following the problems with the RAFs Valiant tanker fleet which had to be taken out of service and replacements quickly found. The squadron continued with tanker missions including vital service during the Falklands War in 1982 before disbanding on 30 June 1986. 

The Squadron was reactivated as 57 Reserve Squadron at RAF Lyneham on 1 June 1992 equipped with C 130 Hercules on the renaming of 242 OCU taking responsibility for Hercules operational conversion training. 57 Reserve Squadron was disbanded on 14 March 2002. 

57 Squadron was reactivated on 1 October 2008 at RAF Wyton assigned to 2 Squadron 1 EFTS as an elementary flying training squadron equipped with Tutor trainers. 

This patch dates from 1980.