Supermarine Spitfire. European Users, part twelve. The Spitfire in Norwegian hands.

 

There were two Norwegian squadron serving with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War 2. Those were Nos. 331 & 332.

• No.331 (Norwegian) Squadron: This unit was initially equipped with the Hawker Hurricane at its formation on 21st July 1941 but it did not last long until they were switched by the Spitfire Mk. II in November 1941. They were assigned to the aerial defence of Scotland until May 1942 when they were rebased to southern England. 
  On 6th May they conducted their first sweep over France and the squadron was assigned to offensive duties for the remainder of the war, working alongside with the other Norwegian squadron of the RAF, No. 332. 
  In August this unit took part in the aerial support for the raid Dieppe raid. 
  On 31st March 1944 they were assigned to 2nd Tactical Air Force, which now was operating in the fighter-bomber role and, in August 1944 they were rebased to Normandy to support the breakthrough operations towards inland France. This squadron followed the Allied advanced east and operated from several bases in Low Countries from October onwards. They provided aerial cover for the Allies as they advanced into Germany from 1945 until the end of the war in Europe. 
  In late April 1945 the squadron went back to the United Kingdom and shortly after the war, they were rebased in Norway where, in November 1945 the whole squadron was transferred to the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
• No. 332 (Norwegian) Squadron: This unit operated the Spitfire since its inception in January 1942. It was formed at RAF Catterick (northern England) and became operational in March 1942. In June they were rebased to south of England where they performed various fighter sweeps over occupied France. 
  Based at North Weald, together with No. 331 they formed a RAF Wing which provided aerial support for the Dieppe Raid in August 1942. 
  Together with No. 331 it was assigned to the 2nd Tactical Air Force (albeit it's not clear if No. 332 was assigned sooner or later than No. 331 as sources claim that No. 332 was assigned in late 1943). With the 2nd Tactical Air Force, this squadron's role was changed to the fighter-bomber one to provide aerial cover for Operation Overlord (the Normandy Landings in June 1944). In mid-August 1944, together with No. 331 they were rebased to Normandy to provide aerial support for the Allied forces in their advance into France and later in the advance of Allied forces into the Netherlands.
  In late April 1945 the squadron was moved to Scotland and after the war, in September 1945 they were sent to Norway where on 21st September, they were transferred to the Royal Norwegian Air Force.

As both RAF's Norwegian squadrons were allowed to retain their equipment, they formed the bulk of Norway's post-war fighter force, divided into two squadrons- 331 & 332 Skvadron (Norwegian for 'Squadron') and they were kept until 1951 in service with 331 Skvadron and 1952 in service with 332 Skvadron . The Mk. IX were only replaced by the jet-powered Republic F-84G Thunderjet. 
In 1949, the Royal Norwegian Air Force acquired more than 30 Spitfire Mk. IX plus three Spitfire PR. XI, which was a reconnaissance variant of the Mk. IX. The PR.XI formed a special photo-reconnaissance flight which employed the PR.XI until March 1954 when the unit was renamed to 717 Fotorekognoseringsving and were re-equipped with the Republic RF-84E (the recon variant of the F-84E).
A total of 68 Spitfires flew with the Royal Norwegian Air Force and received the registration codes A-AB to A-AZ, A-BA to AB-Z and A-CA to A-CW.

The three PR. XIs were initially designated A-ZA to A-ZZ but their designations soon changed to A-ZA, A-ZB and A-ZC.

Sources:
1st AJ Press- Monografie Lotnicze 40 - Supermarine Spitfire 3
2nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._331_Squadron_RNoAF

3rd http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/331_wwII.html

4th https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._332_Squadron_RNoAF

5th http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/332_wwII.html

6th https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/norway/norway-defence-forces-history