No. 423 Squadron

Badge: A bald-headed eagle volant

Motto: Quaerimus et petimus (We search and strike)

Authority: King George VI, March 1943

The bald-headed eagle is a powerful bird of prey from the Canadian side of the Atlantic. The motto refers to the squadron’s role as a coastal unit.

Formed as an All-Weather (Fighter) unit at St Hubert (Montreal), Quebec on 1 June 1953, the squadron flew CF-100 aircraft on North American air defense until February 1957 when it then joined No. 1 Air Division Europe to replace No. 416 (Fighter) Squadron in No. 2 (Fighter) Wing at Grostenquin, France. On the withdrawal of CF-100 aircraft from operational service, the squadron was disbanded on 31 December 1962.

Brief Chronology: Formed at St Hubert, Que. 1 Jul 53. Disbanded at Grostenquin, Fr. 31 Dec 62.

Nickname: “Eagle” (1)

Commanders

• W/C R.J. Lawlor, DFC, CD 1 Jul 53 – 31 Oct 54.
• S/L L.P.S. Bing, DFC, CD 1 Nov 54 – 14 Aug 55.
• W/C J.H.L. Lecomte, DFC, CD 3 Sep 55 – 8 Nov 56.
• W/C K.B. Handley, CD 9 Nov 56 – 10 Mar 58.
• W/C R.B. Murray, CD 13 Apr 58 – 4 Oct 59.
• W/C J.D.W. Campbell, DFC, CD 5 Oct 59 – 16 Jul 61.
• W/C W.J. Buzza, CD 2 Aug 61 – 30 May 62.
• W/C R.D. Sloat, CD 1 Jun 62 – 31 Dec 62.

Higher Formations and Squadron Locations

Air Defence Command:

• St Hubert, Que. 1 Jul 53 – 11 Feb 57.
• En route overseas (Operation “Nimble Bat II”) 12 Feb 57 – 15 Feb 57.

No. 1 Air Division Europe:

No. 2 (Fighter) Wing,

• Grostenquin, Fr. 16 Feb 57 – 31 Dec 62.

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code NQ)

Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk.3B (Jul 53 – May 55)

• 18149  18160  18170  18177

Avro CF-100 Canuck Mk.4B (Feb 55 – Dec 62)

• 18321  18369  18383  18431

From April to December 1956 the squadron flew Mk.S’s while their Mk.4B’s were sent to Malton for overhaul and camouflaging by Avro prior to departure for Europe.

(1) Also adopted by No. 405 (MP) Squadron.