| No. 486 (NZ) Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 7 March 1942 – 12 October 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Allegiance |  New Zealand |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Kirton in Lindsey |
| Motto(s) | Māori: Hiwa hau Maka ("Beware of the Wild Winds") |
| Aircraft | Hawker Hurricane Hawker Typhoon Hawker Tempest |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | A kea volant |
| Squadron Codes | SA (Mar 1942 – Sep 1945) |
No. 486 (NZ) Squadron was a fighter squadron established for service during the Second World War. It was a New Zealand squadron formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Plan. Although many of its flying personnel were largely drawn from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the squadron served in Europe under the operational and administrative command of the Royal Air Force.
Formed in March 1942 and equipped with Hawker Hurricane fighters, No. 486 Squadron became operational late the following month, initially flying patrols protecting convoys making their way through the North Sea. Although trained in a night fighting role it soon became a day fighter squadron, operating Hawker Typhoon fighters. From late 1942 to early 1943, it was tasked with intercepting incoming raids mounted by Luftwaffe fighter bombers. It was then switched to offensive operations, escorting bombers attacking targets in France and then flying in a fighter bomber role. In early 1944 the squadron re-equipped with the Hawker Tempest. In the run up to D-Day, it attacked numerous military targets in France and the Low Countries. For several weeks following D-Day, it was called upon to deal with incoming V-1 flying bombs launched at England by the Germans. It began operating from the continent in September, supporting the operations of the advancing Allied ground forces as they advanced in France, and then into Belgium, Holland and Germany itself. After the war it briefly served in Denmark and on occupation duties in Germany. It was disbanded in October 1945.