Welcome to 602 Squadron Museum Association Website
The 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron Museum Association preserves the history and traditions of “Glasgow’s Own” RAux.AF Squadron. This site provides a selection of the artefacts, images, and memories that were once housed in a dedicated Museum that was permanently closed in April 2023. The data and images found on this site are intended to be used for historical research and educational purposes.
Squadron Overview
No 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron was formed on 12 September 1925 at Renfrew as a day bomber unit of the Auxiliary Air Force. The Squadron was initially equipped with DH9As which were light bombers used by the RAF mainly in Iraq, Afghanistan and the North West Frontier. The DH9As were gradually replaced with Fawns in September 1927, though these were in turn replaced by Wapitis in 1929. In 1933 602 Squadron moved to a purpose built airfield at Abbotsinch. This is now Glasgow International Airport. Harts began to arrive in February 1934 and the squadron re-equipped with Hinds in June 1936. On 1 November 1938 No 602 was re-designated as an army co-operation squadron, then on 14 January 1939 602 became a fighter squadron, equipped with Gloster Gauntlets. These were replaced by Spitfires in May 1939 and during the early months of the war the squadron was engaged in intercepting German bombing raids from its base at RAF Drem near Haddington. During the Battle of Britain, 602 Squadron was moved south to Westhampnett, a satellite airfield of RAF Tangmere, joining 11 Group, which controlled the South East and London, and which took the brunt of the Luftwaffe’s attacks.
History of the Museum (Now Permanenty Closed)
The initial 602 museum was constructed with Rolls-Royce Plc permission and expertise and knowledge along with the involvement of the 2175 ( Rolls-Royce ) ATC cadets at Hillington. The artifacts and display material was also gathered by the cadets under the leadership of Flt. Lft. William ( Bill ) McConnell at that time the C.O. for the cadets.
Rolls-Royce Heritage Scottish branch gave on long term loan a Merlin engine which powered the Spitfire aircraft used by 602 and over 50,000 Merlin engines were manufactured between 1940 and 1945 at the Hillington facility where Bill McConnell was a personnel manager. (...continue to full article)