No.541 Squadron was formed on 19 October 1942 at Benson from B and F Flights of the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. Equipped with Spitfires, it carried out photographic reconnaissance missions over Europe until the end of the war. During 1946 the squadron received some Lancasters for survey work in Africa, but disbanded on 30 September 1946, the Lancaster flight becoming No.82 Squadron. On 1 November 1947, No.541 reformed at Benson with Spitfire PR.19s for photographic reconnaissance and survey duties. The squadron moved to Germany in June 1951 and remained there until disbanding on 6 September 1957.
12 oblique and 848 vertical aerial photographs.