Fighter Squadron RAAF

Fighter Squadron RAAF
Ground crew starting the engine of a Bristol Bulldog at Point Cook
Active	1930–35
Country	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Role	Fighter training/aerobatics
Part of	No. 1 Flying Training School
Headquarters	RAAF Point Cook
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Bristol Bulldog

Fighter Squadron was a flying unit of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the early 1930s. It operated Bristol Bulldog single-seat fighters. Along with Seaplane Squadron, Fighter Squadron was a component of No. 1 Flying Training School, based at RAAF Point Cook, Victoria. As well as participating in training exercises, Fighter Squadron was frequently employed for aerobatic displays and duties.

Although the first entry in Fighter Squadron records is dated 12 February 1934, the official history of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) between the wars refers to the unit as having been established for the specific purpose of operating Australia's eight Bristol Bulldog fighters, which began entering service in May 1930. Fighter Squadron was one of two formations raised at RAAF Point Cook, Victoria, under the auspices of No. 1 Flying Training School (No. 1 FTS), the other being Seaplane Squadron, which operated Supermarine Southamptons among other types. No. 1 FTS had been the first unit to be formed as part of the new Australian Air Force on 31 March 1921 (the prefix "Royal" was added in August that year). The single-seat Bulldogs were procured to give the RAAF a dedicated air defence capability following the retirement of the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 fighter in 1928. Although only a "token" combat force according to the official history, the Bulldogs represented the latest technology available and gave Fighter Squadron the aura of an elite formation.

On 15 May 1930, barely two weeks after delivery, one of the Bulldogs crashed due to structural failure while performing an inverted loop; the pilot parachuted to safety, the first time an RAAF member had done so in an emergency. In September 1931, Fighter Squadron began flight testing the prototype Wackett Warrigal general-purpose biplane; testing was still under way when the aircraft's undercarriage collapsed during landing, putting off its service trials until the following January.