No. 543 Squadron RAF
| No. 543 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 19 October 1942 – 18 October 1943 24 September 1955 – 24 May 1974 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Role | Photographic reconnaissance |
| Part of |
No. 16 Group, RAF Coastal Command (42–43) No. 3 Group, RAF Bomber Command (55–68) No. 1 Group, RAF Strike Command (68–74) |
| Motto(s) | Valiant and Vigilant |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | A crane's head, the crane carrying an open padlock, with key, in its beak |
| Squadron Codes | No codes are known to have been carried |
No. 543 Squadron RAF was a photographic reconnaissance squadron of the Royal Air Force, active in two periods between 1942 and 1974.
The squadron was formed on 19 October 1942 at RAF Benson as a photo-reconnaissance unit with the Supermarine Spitfire. A detachment was stationed at RAF St Eval, Cornwall to carry out reconnaissance flights over France. The rest of the squadron carried out operational training. On 18 October 1943 the squadron was disbanded.
On 24 September 1955 the squadron was reformed at RAF Gaydon to operate the Vickers Valiant for reconnaissance duties. It moved to RAF Wyton in November 1955. The squadron re-equipped with the Handley Page Victor in 1965. It was disbanded on 24 May 1974 at RAF Wyton.
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