title: No. 278 Squadron RAF
text: # No. 278 Squadron RAF
  
  No. 278 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an air-sea rescue unit in World War II.
  
  ## History
  
  ### Formation in World War II
  
  The squadron formed at RAF Matlaske on 22 December 1941 equipped with the Lysander, Walrus and then the Anson. Spitfires were then supplied for spotting downed aircrew. The area of operations of the squadron was the coast of East Anglia and North East England. There were also detachments in Scotland.
  
  The Warwick was operated from April 1944 and the Sea Otter from May 1945. The squadron was disbanded at Thorney Island on 15 October 1945.
  
  ## Aircraft operated
  
  Aircraft operated by no. 278 Squadron RAF :
  
  | From | To | Aircraft | Variant |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Oct 1941 | Feb 1943 | Westland Lysander | IIIA |
  | Feb 1943 | May 1944 | Avro Anson | I |
  | Apr 1944 | May 1944 | Supermarine Spitfire | IIA |
  | Apr 1944 | Jan 1945 | Vickers Warwick | I |
  | May 1944 | Feb 1945 | Supermarine Spitfire | VB |
  | May 1945 | Oct 1945 | Supermarine Sea Otter | II |
  