It was originally equipped with Lockheed Hudson fitted, from 1943, to carry Mark I airborne lifeboats.

[7] In October 1944 No 279 Squadron was transferred to RAF Thornaby and re-equipped with Vickers Warwick aircraft.

Following the end of the war the Warwicks were replaced with Avro Lancasters in September 1945.

These were flown until the squadron was disbanded on 10 March 1946 at RAF Beccles by being renumbered to No.

A detachment had left in January 1946 for Pegu in Burma and upon arrival there around March was designated 1348 Air Sea Rescue Flight.