For the "Aztec Eagle Squadron" of the Mexican Air Force, see Escuadrón 201. For the 1942 film, see Eagle Squadron (film).
Eagle Squadrons
RAF Eagle Squadron Emblem, 1940
Active
19 September 1940 – 29 September 1942
Country
United Kingdom
Allegiance
United Kingdom United States (September 1942)
Branch
Royal Air Force
Aircraft flown
Fighter
Miles Master Hawker Hurricane Supermarine Spitfire
Military unit
The Eagle Squadrons were three fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) formed with volunteer pilots from the United States during the early days of World War II (1940), prior to America's entry into the war in December 1941.
With the United States still neutral, many Americans simply crossed the border and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to learn to fly and fight. Many early recruits had originally gone to Europe to fight for Finland against the Soviet Union in the Winter War.
Charles Sweeny, a wealthy businessman living in London, persuaded the British Government to form an RAF squadron composed of Americans.[1] (His uncle, also named Charles Sweeny, had been working along similar lines, recruiting American pilots to fight in France.[1]) Sweeny's efforts were also coordinated in Canada by the World War I air ace Billy Bishop and the artist Clayton Knight, who formed the Clayton Knight Committee, which by the time the United States entered the war, had processed and approved 6,700 applications from Americans to join the RCAF or RAF. Sweeny and his rich society contacts bore the cost (over $100,000) of processing and sending the men to the United Kingdom for training.
^ abMehuron, Tamar A. (October 2007). "The Eagle Squadrons" (PDF). Air Force Magazine.
The EagleSquadrons were three fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force (RAF) formed with volunteer pilots from the United States during the early days...
Debden Eagles because it was created from the three EagleSquadrons of the Royal Air Force: No. 71, No. 121 Squadron RAF, and No. 133 Squadron RAF. These...
businessman and socialite who played a major role in the formation of the EagleSquadrons, composed mostly of volunteer American pilots eager to fight in the...
The bronze sculpture of an eagle which tops the memorial is by Elisabeth Frink. The EagleSquadrons were RAF fighter squadrons, mostly manned by US citizens...
Air Service (RNAS) squadrons incorporated into the RAF when it was formed on 1 April 1918, during the First World War. Other squadrons of the RAF include...
during World War II. He then became a member of the Royal Air Force EagleSquadrons, before transferring to the United States Army Air Forces in 1942....
unit formed from the members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) EagleSquadrons. These fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force formed prior to the United States...
121 (Eagle) Squadron of the Royal Air Force, formed on 14 May 1941 as the second of three EagleSquadrons of the Royal Air Force. These squadrons were...
in Europe which hosts two F-15E Strike Eaglesquadrons. The wing also hosts two F-35A Lightning II squadrons. The 48 FW was given the name "Statue of...
Duchess of Argyll.) He would later be instrumental in forming the EagleSquadrons. Another nephew, Robert "Bob" Sweeny, was an accomplished golfer on...
was the EagleSquadrons, which were RAF squadrons made up of American volunteers and British personnel. The first to be formed was No. 71 Squadron on 19...
4 November/December 2010, pp.36 Caine, Philip D. Eagles of the RAF: The World War II EagleSquadrons (PDF). National Defense University Press. p. 69....
Israeli Air Force aircraft squadrons. 150 Squadron (Israel) 199 Squadron (Israel) 248 Squadron (Israel) "Emblems of IAF Squadrons". Archived from the original...
laws. Eventually, she makes it to the United Kingdom and joins the EagleSquadrons of the Royal Air Force. The book covers the period from May 1940 through...
"Casualty Details | CWGC". "Wedding". Caine, Philip D. Eagles of the RAF: The World War II EagleSquadrons (PDF). National Defense University Press. p. 69....
Force (CAF) such as fighter squadrons and serves as a break out of the comprehensive List of United States Air Force squadrons. Units in this list are assigned...
squadrons. Deactivated or disestablished squadrons are listed in the List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons. Navy aircraft squadrons are...
67th is equipped with the F-15C/D Eagle. The 67th Fighter Squadron is one of two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eaglesquadrons in the Asian-Western Pacific area...
RAF No. 71 Squadron RAF (one of the three "EagleSquadrons" flown by Americans in the RAF), RAF Gravesend No. 81 Squadron RAF No. 87 Squadron RAF No. 91...
the original on 13 October 2008. Caine, Philip D. Eagles of the RAF: The World War II EagleSquadrons (PDF). National Defense University Press. p. 69....
Global Information
United Kingdom
United States (September 1942)
Royal Air Force