No. 420 “City of London” Squadron (Auxiliary)
Badge A snowy owl, wings elevated and adorsed
Motto Pugnamus finitum (We fight to the finish)
Authority King George VI, March 1943
The snowy owl is indigenous to Canada and hunts by night.
Formed at London, Ontario on 15 September 1948, the squadron flew Mustang aircraft in a fighter role until disbanded on 1 September 1956.
Brief Chronology: Formed as No. 420 (F) Sqn (Aux), London, Ont. 15 Sep 48 (1). Titled No. 420 “City of London” (F) Sqn (Aux) 4 Sep 52. Disbanded 1 Sep 56.
Title: “City of London”
Nickname: “Snowy Owl”
Commanders
- W/C A.O. Haylett, AFC 15 Sep 48 – 14 Dec 53.
- W/C G.M. Burns, DFC 15 Dec 53 – 1 Sep 56.
Higher Formations and Squadron Location
Training Command,
Air Defence Command (1 Aug 51):
No. 22 Wing (Auxiliary) (15 Dec 53),
- Crumlin airport (London), Ont. 15 Sep 48 – 1 Sep 56.
Representative Aircraft (Unit Code AW)
North American Harvard Mk.II (Aug 49 – Aug 56)
- 2942 AW-F 3176 AW-G 3337 AW-B 3785
North American Mustang Mk.IV (Dec 50 – Aug 56)
- 9223 AW-J 9224 AW-N 9228 AW-K 9229 AW-L 9256 AW-X
Canadair Silver Star Mk.3 (Oct 54 – Aug 56)
- 21447
(1) Formation had been authorized on 1 May 1947, but on 1 October was postponed to September 1948.
