[1] Shortly before the Second World War broke out, on 20 March 1939, the squadron's role was changed yet again, now into that of a general reconnaissance unit flying under RAF Coastal Command and they were re-equipped for that role with Avro Ansons.

In June 1940, it began the process of transferring to the Blackburn Botha torpedo bomber, being the only squadron to use this type operationally.

The Botha was found to be unsatisfactory, and by December 1940 the squadron was using its Avro Ansons again.

It had however no operational aircraft before being redesignated as a night fighter unit in July 1947, when it received Mosquito NF.30s.

From December 1949 these were gradually replaced with de Havilland Vampires, which the squadron flew until, along with all the flying units of the RAuxAF, it was disbanded on 10 March 1957.