The 42 Sqn
On september 23, 1914 a crew of Nbr 3 squadron delivers the first aerial pictures made during the Great War, thus creating aerial photography.
Nbr 7 squadron is soon tasked specifically to execute photographic reconnaissance. Its pictures prove to be of very great tactical importance for the Allied Staffs.
A variety of aircraft serve in the squadron: Farman 40 (MF-40), Georges MELIS (GM-2), 10 Farman (MF-30), Avro 504.N (*), De Havilland DH-4 in 1919. (*) I guess it must be the K-version since the N-version is only built as from 1922 onwards, the latter being the main training aircraft in the air force after 1929.
The ‘devil’ appeares for the first time in 1919 on the De Havilland DH-9 from Nbr 1 squadron, being dissolved in 1924 en re-starts as Nbr 7 squadron, 2nd Group Bis, whilst keeping the devil insigne. In January 1926, the 7th Squadron of the 4th Group of the 1st Aeronautical Regiment of Aeronautics (7/IV/1) takes over the insignia of Mephisto.
At the dawn of World War II, the Gossoncourt-based squadron is equipped with eight Fairey-Fox VI R, a single Morane MS-236 and is attached to the VIIth Army Corps.
On May 10, 1940 the squadron safely reaches its redeployment airfield in Lonzée. The next day two reconnaissance missions are carried out. Starting May 13, the slow and long retreat begins with a stopover at Pedestrian (another emergency airfield). From there, one or two missions are still carried out, then the planes join Tours via Valenciennes, and finally Monnay. The last mission is to bring an ultimate message to the encircled Belgian Army. Although hit by enemy fire, the crew manages to land in Ostend.
Several pilots reach England where they continue fighting in the Royal Air Force. They once again show impressive courage; many of them unfortunately pay with their lives.
In June 1953, four Belgian pilots are transferred with the 83rd Anglo-Belgian Group to Wahn (Cologne). Integrated into the No 2 RAF Squadron, they very quickly become familiar with their new aircraft, the Republic F-84E 'Thunderjet'. For the time being, they fly mostly visual reconnaissance.
On 15 October of the same year, they form the 'C' Flight of No 2 RAF Squadron, excluvely composed of Belgian pilots.
In November, the first F-84G 'Thunderjets' arrive. Significantly better than its predecessor, it is still not equipped with camera’s. It is not until the end of the summer of 1954 that a camera is installed in the left wingtip tank. Eight aircraft are thus transformed.
On September 15, 1954, still based in Wahn, 42nd Squadron is officially created and the first CO, Major Avi Maricq, choses 'Mephisto' as its emblem.
In August 1955, the long-awaited Republic RF-84F 'Thunderflash' finally arrives ; it is a true reconnaissance aircraft with six cameras and eight windows in its nose section, the latter allowing different configurations according to the mission. 34 aircraft are delivered to 42 Squadron.
Then follows a series of moves when Mephisto leaves Wahn in July 1957 for Brustem until November 1960. Then, after a brief stay in Beauvechain until April 1963, the Squadron finally lands in Bierset until September 1971.
The Squadron participates in many NATO exercises such as the 'Royal Flush' where it excells.
On this date marking the end of the 'Thunderflash' era, 42 Squadron migrates to Florennes where it makes its transition on 'Mirage 5 BR' within the 2nd Tactical Wing.
It remains in the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse area until November 1988 when it migrates to Bierset again to be integrated in the 3rd Tactical Wing; it was at this time that the 1st squadron takes the opposite path for Florennes, as part of its transition on 'F-16'.
During the first Gulf War in 1990-1991, and despite the fact that the 42 is not part of the Ace Mobile Force (AMF), it contributes significantly to the commitment of the Belgian Air Force in Turkey, both in terms of aircrew and aircraft.
With the dissolution of Nbr 8 Squadron in September 1991, the 42nd has its fighter-bomber role strengthened, while maintaining its recce role. The Operational Conversion Course having disappeared at the same time as Nbr 8 squadron, it also ensures the conversion of the freshly graduated pilots. The 42 Sqn thus converts many young drivers, waiting to transit to the 'F-16'. At that time, the 'F-16' OCU is in high demand for the conversion of Nbr 1 and 2 squadron pilots.
Following a drastic restructuring, 42nd squadron as well as 'Mephisto' disappeares in December 1993, at the same time as the 'Mirage 5B' is stricken from the Air Force inventory.
Throughout the so-called 'Cold War period', the squadron does not participate in any conflict, except in the First Gulf War, but it contributes within NATO to preserving peace by participating in the policy of deterrence until the end of the 1990’s.
Badge
'Mephisto': sinister devil in gules (red) with wings deployed, dancing with joy over a flaming curtain. With his long view, he watches and informs the troups in the back.
No known motto.