title: No. 286 Squadron RAF
text: # No. 286 Squadron RAF
  
  No. 286 Squadron RAF was a non-operational Second World War Royal Air Force squadron that operated a variety of aircraft to provide targets for anti-aircraft gun practice in the West Country of England.
  
  ## History
  
  The squadron was formed at RAF Filton on 17 November 1941 from No. 10 Group AAC Flight.
  
  From 24 January 1942 the squadron was headquartered at newly operational RAF Lulsgate Bottom. However, as the facilities there were still unfinished, from 2 March to 30 April the headquarters used RAF Colerne. It returned to Lulsgate only briefly before leaving for RAF Zeals on 26 May.
  
  The squadron served at various locations and detachments around the west country before finally moving to RAF Weston Zoyland, where it was disbanded on 16 May 1945.
  
  ## Aircraft operated
  
  | From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Nov 1941 | Jan 1942 | Westland Lysander | Mk.II |
  | Nov 1941 | Jun 1943 | Hawker Hurricane | Mk.I |
  | Nov 1941 | Jul 1944 | Boulton-Paul Defiant | Mks.I, III |
  | Nov 1941 | May 1945 | Airspeed Oxford | Mks.I, II |
  | Apr 1942 | May 1945 | Hawker Hurricane | Mks.IIc, IV |
  | Jul 1943 | Dec 1944 | Miles Martinet | Mk.I |
  | Nov 1944 | Mar 1945 | Miles Master | Mk.III |
  