the squadron was initially equipped with hawker hinds. on 2 october 1939 the squadron moved from raf ringway to raf odiham near basingstoke and hawker hectors were delivered to the unit during november to replace the hinds. from 2 april 1940, westland lysanders served alongside the hectors. the hectors and lysanders were used to dive-bomb german positions and drop supplies to friendly troops near calais during the late may 1940 dunkirk evacuation.