History of Lincolnshire the RAF Officer Training College after the formation of the RAF in April 1918. RAF Swinderby was a Polish-manned RAF station and from 1964, the RAF's main Recruit Training Camp. RAF Scampton, was the home base of 617 Squadron. Lincolnshire still has the strongest claim to being the 'home' of RAF Bomber Command, playing host to many squadrons, including the Lancaster bombers of the famous 617 "Dambusters" squadron who were based at RAF Scampton. There were two Bomber Groups based in the county – No. 1 in the north and No. 5 Group in the centre and south. The Battle
RAF Scampton the Hawker Audax and later the Vickers Wellesley. The term of residence of 148 Sqn was brief being replaced by 49 Squadron (49 Sqn) and 83 Squadron (83 Sqn) in March 1938. At this time both 49 Sqn and 83 Sqn were operating the Hawker Hind before re-equipping with the Handley Page Hampden. At the outbreak of the Second World War Scampton transferred to No. 5 Group RAF in Bomber Command, playing host to the Hampdens of 49 Sqn and 83 Sqn. On 3 September 1939, six hours after the declaration of war, RAF Scampton launched the first offensive by