top of page

55 Squadron Royal Air Force

Pages 4 and 5 of "An Introduction to Iraq" provide a brief history of 55 Squadron (one of the Royal Air Force squadrons to be based at RAF Hinaidi during the inter-war years). At the time of publication (August 1935) the commanding officer of 55 Squadron was Squadron Leader A R M Rickards OBE, AFC. The photograph is a view of the airfield at RAF Hinaidi, looking towards the south-west with a cluster of hangars on the left-hand side, the nearest to the camera used by 70 Squadron and 55 Squadron. Hussar Road runs diagonally across the top right corner of the photograph.

Early history of 55 Squadron, from May 1916 until 1935 when it was based in Iraq at RAF Hinaidi
Details of 55 Squadron's involvement in local peace-keeping around Baghdad until Iraq became independent in 1930

Gloucester (Nieuport) Nighthawk

Though 55 Squadron officially operated the two-seater DH9a medium bomber from June 1920 to February 1930 when it was re-equiped with the two-seater Westland Wapiti, it did test one of three Gloster Nighthawk fighters that were sent to Iraq for evaluation. This photo was taken of the 55 Squadron Nighthawk when it was parked outside the 55 Squadron Hangar at RAF Hinaidi during trials of the aircraft in 1923. Note the custom desert exhaust. 

​

Photo taken by Pilot Officer (later Air Commodore) D.W.F Bonham-Carter DFC (via his grandson Jim Cownie)

Gloster (Nieuport) Nighthawk fighter being tested by 55 Squadron RAF in 1923, parked outside 55 Sqn hangars at RAF Hinaidi, Baghdad. Note the modified vertical exhaust pipe for desert conditions.

Westland Wapiti (55 Squadron)

A flight of 55 Squadron Wapitis C1930, including J9595 and J9631
bottom of page