During the early postwar years, a large part of 402 Squadron's training was conducted in the form of summer camps held throughout western Canada. In 1951, it was converted to a fighter-bomber squadron, the squadron receiving the North American Mustang Mk. IV (P-51D series). November 1954 saw the delivery of the first Canadair Silver Star Mk. III to 402 Squadron in anticipation of a switch to this type which could be operated as an armed version of the standard trainer. The Mustang, However, was retained until its retirement in 1957.