No. 542 Squadron RAF

No. 542 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a photographic reconnaissance squadron in World War II that reformed in the post war period.

Formation in World War II
The squadron formed at RAF Benson on 19 October 1942 and was equipped with Spitfires to fly missions over Europe, until it disbanded on 27 August 1945 after hostilities ceased.

Postwar
The squadron reformed at RAF Wyton on 15 May 1955 and operated Canberras before disbanding again on 1 October 1955. It reformed the following month and was detached to Australia to conduct nuclear test surveys before it disbanded again upon renumbering on 1 October 1958.