RAF Patch j 57 Squadron Royal Air Force Victor K2 Tanker a

RAF Patch 57 Squadron Royal Air Force LVII Phoenix 1978 Victor K2 Tanker RAF Marham Embroidered on twill cut edge 66mm by 81mm two and nine sixteenth inches by three and three sixteenth inches.

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Badge  Issuant from two logs fesse wise in saltire a phoenix The badge commemorates that during the First World War all the flying personnel became casualties within a few days but the Squadron remained in action with new personnel.

Motto  Corpus non animum muto Latin I change my body not my spirit

Squadron history 1945 2015

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 K1A tankers following the problems with the RAFs Valiant tanker fleet which had to be taken out of service and replacements quickly found. The Squadron upgraded to Victor K2 tankers in 1976 and 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 on the renumbering of 2 Squadron 1 EFTS Elementary Flying Training School providing elementary flying training equipped with Tutor trainers.

This patch dates from 1978.