111 Squadron RAF

[HaveQuick2]

"One Eleven Squadron" or "Treble One Squadron"?

I have heard both versions being used in various places.

Is one correct above the other? Or are they from different eras? Or is some other version "correct"?

[fantom]

Trembling One.

[wiggy]

Never heard "One Eleven Squadron" used back in the day, OTOH "Treble One" or "Tremblers" - yes..

[Tengah Type]

In 1960, while doing the Airshow circuit, as the official RAF Display Squadron looping a formation of 14 Hunters, they were introduced as "Treble One Squadron".
I have never heard them being called otherwise.( Unless they were being called The Tremblers).

Squadrons can be pretty picky about their numbers. "Two One Four" was proud to use that definition, but "Two Sixteen" got very miffed if called " Two One Six".

[Herod]

For those of us of a certain vintage, always "Treble One". In fact, used in conversation earlier today.

[Red Line Entry]

Only ever referred to it as “the girls school”, but then, I was from the Sqn on the other side of the runway! :}

[jolihokistix]

Perhaps a further question might be, when did the change from 'triple one' to 'treble one' take place?

The conversion of 'triple one' squadron to Hurricanes in 1938 made little difference to the general thrust of these reports, with unescorted formations of Blenheim, Battle, Hampden, and Wellesley bombers all finding themselves increasingly ...

https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=sYDzDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT108&lpg=PT108&dq=triple+one+squadron&source=bl&ots=YAnP2P6bgQ&sig=ACfU3U3w-lEewNomiN3elVguLgEB5NsdFw&hl=ja&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjHreW0gLjiAhXEF4gKHRqBCyUQ6AEwAnoECAQQAQ#v=onepag e&q=triple%20one%20squadron&f=false

[nipva]

Only ever referred to it as “the girls school”,

or, as I recall from my WIWOL days, often : 'one less than one hundred and twelve'

[Percy Cute]

Only ever referred to it as “the girls school”,

or, as I recall from my WIWOL days, often : 'one less than one hundred and twelve'

Or as good as 19 & 92 combined. Certainly never triple.......!

[Old-Duffer]

Treble One it is. The squadrons called eg Two One Six (216) are mostly ex RNAS squadrons whose original numbers were given a prefix of '2' when the RAF was formed.

The history of sqn numbers was once quite a 'structured' topic but things change and origins are forgotten. The RAF now has a policy on how squadron numbers will be dished out and nobody who recalls the origins is now around in a place of influence. However, the Canadians, Norwegians, Dutch and Belgians often retained the numbers their squadrons were given when associated with the RAF during the last unpleasantness between 1939 and 45. Hence 300 and 400 series units still in those air forces. Even the British Army's 600 series squadrons owe their origins, mostly to the RAF.

Inevitably, there are exceptions - hence 617, which survives despite the general 'low number' focus of RAF policy.

Old Duffer

[MPN11]

The squadrons called eg Two One Six (216) are mostly ex RNAS squadrons whose original numbers were given a prefix of '2' when the RAF was formed.
No, noooo, a thousand times no! :)

Two-Sixteen.

Otherwise, the provenance you cite is correct. Many/most expressed it the way 2-16 does.

MPN11, spouse of a former 2-16 Sqn Adjutant. ;)

[Timelord]

Never heard it called “one eleven squadron.
Never heard a Tornado called a “Tonka”
Never heard of a unit “standing up”

Times change though!

[Haraka]

216 was originally No 16 Sqn RNAS formed 8 Jan 1918..

[Blossy]

Old-Duffer says "Even the British Army's 600 series squadrons". I think the Army was allotted 650 to 699 although not all were taken up, as the FAA units start at 700.

[denachtenmai]

When they were at Wyton for a week or so in the early 70's we called them one one one, just as a wind up, happy days.

[Lou Scannon]

I was on a Hastings Squadron back in the sixties and a fellow captain, who had flown with 111 during the Battle of Britain, was adamant that it should be called "hundred and eleven squadron".

[Cole Burner]

"Eleventy one"

[The Oberon]

"Eleventy one"

As Diane Abbott would say.

[Herod]

MPN11. Quite right. Never heard it called other than two-sixteen. Funny things numbers. Six-one-seven, but two-sixteen; and of course treble one. Otherwise it's pistols at dawn.

[MPN11]

I wish we had a like button, Herod, then I could give you XV likes ;)

Contrary to Navy/Army beliefs, we have traditions as well as habits!

[weemonkey]

Northern QRA tactical reserve fleet* aka "southsiders" aka "tremblers".

* that's NOT a dig BTW, their aircraft came in quite handy one winters weekend....

[Tankertrashnav]

Back in the 70s when the fad for personalised number plates was just starting I saw 111 ACE for sale, on a moped I think, in Exchange and Mart. I remember thinking at the time that would be a great buy for some Lightning jock on 111. I wonder if it ever ended up on the squadron.

Never heard it called other than two-sixteen.

One of our guys on two one four ended up as the boss on two sixteen. I wonder if he ever got it wrong!