Throughout the 1930s, Hucknall hosted an annual Empire Air Day with the resident squadrons giving aerobatic and air attack demonstrations. The last of these was on 20 May 1939, when No. 504 Squadron had just replaced the Gauntlet with the new monoplane fighter, the Hawker Hurricane I. During the middle part of 1939 and as part of the work up of the squadron for war, Squadron Leader Seely initially took a post at the RAF Duxford Operations Room with Squadron Leader Victor Beamish AFC assuming command and the Rt. Hon. Lord Mottistone (see J. E. B. Seely, 1st Baron Mottistone) agreeing to be the first Honorary Air Commodore. On 27 August 1939 Squadron Leader Beamish was signalled to move the Squadron to RAF Digby for intensive war training. On 26 April 1939 the Mayor of Derby visited No. 98 Squadron, they had been affiliated to Derby as part of the Air Ministry Municipal Liaison Scheme. After No. 504 Squadron had departed No. 98 Squadron remained as the sole unit at Hucknall and in turn on 2 March 1940 were signalled to leave for Nantes, France.