Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Flight Histories - First Series
First Series
From around 25 May 1918 the small ex RNAS coastal units located around the coasts of the UK were given identities as numbered flights beginning at 300 as squadron numbers at that time only went into the 200s.
The breakdown of units was as follows: -
Flight No | Role/Type |
300 - 367 | Large flying boats |
400 - 442 | Seaplanes |
450 - 455 | Sopwith Baby seaplanes |
470 - 487 | Land based fighters for defence against enemy torpedo equipped aircraft |
490 - 499 | Light bombers for anti-submarine patrols |
500 - 533 | Special duties flights for anti-submarine patrols equipped with DH6s |
534 | Light bombers for anti-submarine patrols |
550 - 561 | Light bombers for anti-submarine patrols |
562 | Anti-submarine flight based in Malta |
Eventually these flights were absorbed into squadrons in the 200 series but retained their numbered identities and by the end of 1919 most had been disbanded.
Where flights were formed within an existing squadron the aircraft used were probably listed under the squadron rather than the flight.
This was formed within No 28 Group at Catfirth on 15 June 1918 equipped with the Felixstowe F3 and Porte FB2. It was never attached to a squadron and probably disbanded when the station closed on 15 April 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F3 |
N4407, |
No 301 - 305 (Flying Boat) Flights
These were to have joined No 300 Flight at Catfirth but their formation was put in abeyance on 23 September 1918.
Aircraft used: -
301 |
Felixstowe F3 |
N4232, |
No 306 (Flying Boat) Flight
This was formed on 31 July 1918 within No 28 Group at Houton Bay from where it operated detachments at Pierowall and Dundee. It was never attached to a squadron and disbanded in September 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F3 |
N4235, N4237, N4244, N4247, N4252, N4403, N4405, N4406, N4407, N4408, N4410, N4411, |
Curtiss H16 |
N4065, N4895, N4896, |
No 307 & 308 (Flying Boat) Flight
These were planned to form at Houton Bay on 15 and 31 August 1918 respectively but these plans were placed in abeyance on 23 September 1918.
No 309 - 311 (Flying Boat) Flights
These flights was formed within No 28 Group at Stenness, the first two in May and the third on 15 July 1918, disbanding in September 1919.
Aircraft used: -
309/10 |
Felixstowe F3 |
N4245, |
No 312 - 317 (Flying Boat) Flights
These were planned to form at Strathbeg under No 22 Group between 15 July and 15 October 1918 but plans were placed in abeyance on 23 September 1918.
No 318 & 319 (Flying Boat) Flights
These were formed at Dundee on 30 May 1918 and joined No 257 Squadron in July 1918. On 8 August 1918 they came under the control of No 78 Wing, disbanding on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
N4084, N4285, N4431, N4432, N4433, N4440, N4484, |
Felixstowe F3 |
N4235, N4417, N4418, N4419, N4420, N4421, |
Curtiss H16 | N4061, N4062, N4066, N4069, N4070, N4072, |
No 320 - 323 (Flying Boat) Flights
The first two formed at East Halton near Killingholme in May 1918 under the control of No 18 Group with No 323 due to form by the end of October but they all ceased to exist on 20 July 1918 when the station closed and their aircraft were handed over to the US Navy.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
|
Curtiss H12 | |
Curtiss H12 | |
Curtiss H16 |
No 324 - 326 (Flying Boat) Flights
The first two formed at Great Yarmouth in May 1918 followed by No 326 on 15 July 1918. They were taken under the control of No 73 Wing on 20 Jul 1918 and joined No 228 Squadron on 20 August 1918. They all disbanded on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
N4282, N4283, N4289, N4295, N4303, N4512, N4518, |
Curtiss H8 | 8660, 8662, |
Curtiss H16 | N4063, |
Hamble Baby |
N1205, N1475, |
Sopwith Baby |
N1412, N2068, N2069, N2071[K], |
Short 184 |
9056, N1250, N1598, N1599, N1658, N1663, N2819, |
Short 320 |
N1693, |
No 327 & 328 (Flying Boat) Flights
These were formed at Felixstowe between 25 - 30 May 1918, coming under the control of No 70 Wing on 20 July. They joined No 230 Squadron on 20 August 1918 and disbanded in June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
N4298, N4545, |
No 329 & 330 (Flying Boat) Flights
These were formed at Felixstowe on 30 May 1918, coming under the control of No 70 Wing on 20 July. They joined No 231 Squadron on 20 August 1918 and disbanded on 7 July 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
|
No 331 (Flying Boat) Flight
This was planned to form at Felixstowe but these plans were cancelled on 5 September 1918 and No 442 Flight was formed within No 230 Squadron instead.
No 332 (Flying Boat) Flight
This was planned to form at Felixstowe on 15 October 1918, later changed to 15 November but the formation did not proceed.
No 333 - 335 (Flying Boat) Flights
The first two were formed on 30 May 1918 with the third following on 15 June at Felixstowe. They come under the control of No 76 Wing on 20 July 1918 and joined No 232 Squadron on 20 August 1918. Control transferred to No 70 Wing on 1 December 1918 with No 232 Squadron being redesignated No 4 Communication Squadron on 1 January 1919, at which point No 335 Flight disbanded but the other two continued until June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
N4541, |
No 336 - 338 (Flying Boat) Flights
Only the first two of these actually formed at Felixstowe, No 336 on 31 July 1918 followed by No 337 on 15 September. They came under the control of No 76 Wing on 20 July 1918 and joined No 247 Squadron on 20 August. Control of the squadron and flights was transferred to No 70 Wing on 1 December 1918, with all units disbanding on 22 January 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
|
No 339 - 341 (Flying Boat) Flights
These three flights were planned to form within No 261 Squadron at Felixstowe, No 339 on 30 September and Nos 340 and 341 on 15 October 1918 but by the beginning of 1919 only Nos 339 and 341 were in existence and they disbanded in June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
|
No 342 - 344 (Flying Boat) Flights
These three flights were planned to form within No 259 Squadron at Felixstowe under the control of No 72 Wing, Nos 342 and 343 on 15 October 1918 and No 344 on 15 November but by the beginning of 1919 only an element of No 342 was in existence and it disbanded in June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
|
No 345 & 346 (Flying Boat) Flights
Formed at Calshot in May 1918, they came under the control of No 72 Wing on 8 August and joined No 340 Squadron on 20 August. They disbanded along with the squadron on 15 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F2A |
N4081, N4285, N4286, N4535, |
Curtiss H12B | N4334, N4340, N4346, N4347, N4350, |
No 347 - 349 (Flying Boat) Flights
These three flights were formed at Cattewater on 15 June, 15 July and 15 October 1918 respectively, coming under the control of No 72 Wing from 8 August 1918 and joining No 238 Squadron on 20 August 1918. In mid November 1918 No 347 Flight was detached to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) but by early December was at Killingholme then moved to Calshot on 11 December and later returned to Cattewater. All the flights disbanded in June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
347 |
Felixstowe F3 |
N4256, |
347/8 |
Felixstowe F3 |
N4413, N4415, N4419, N4420, N4421, |
347/9 |
Felixstowe F2A |
N4449, |
347/9 |
Felixstowe F3 |
N4239, N4248, N4250, N4416, |
No 350 - 353 (Flying Boat) Flights
These four flights were formed at Tresco in the Scilly Isles on 31 May, 30 June, 15 September and 30 September 1918 respectively, coming under the control of No 71 Wing from 8 August 1918 and joining No 234 Squadron on 20 August 1918. They presumably disbanded with the squadron on 15 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F3 |
N4000, N4001, N4002, N4234, N4238, N4240, N4241, N4243, N4413, N4415, |
Short 184 | N2828, N2954, N2955, N2962, N2963, |
Curtiss H8 | 8654, 8675, |
Curtiss H12B | N4341, |
FBA | 2727 |
No 354 - 356 (Flying Boat) Flights
These were planned to form at Alexandria as part of of No 270 Squadron, but never appear to have formed.
No 357 & 358 (Flying Boat) Flights
These were planned to form at Taranto as part of of No 271 Squadron, but never appear to have formed, the squadron was disbanded on 9 December 1918.
No 359 (Flying Boat) Flight
Originally intended to be part of No 270 Squadron, it became part of No 263 Squadron at Otranto on 27 September 1918 but whether it existed prior to this is unclear. By the beginning of 1919 it had relocated to Taranto, where it disbanded in August 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Felixstowe F3 |
N4317, N4318, N4320, |
Hamble Baby | N1981, |
No 360 - 363 (Flying Boat) Flights
These were formed as part of No 267 Squadron on 27 September 1918 at Calafrana and disbanded into the squadron in August 1919.
Aircraft used: -
360/3 |
Felixstowe F3 |
N4311, N4312, N4313, N4314, N4319, N4321, |
No 364 - 366 (Flying Boat) Flights
These flights were planned to form within No 265 Squadron at Gibraltar, but this never took place.
No 367 (Flying Boat) Flight
This flight was to form part of No 271 Squadron at Taranto but it was never embodied and the squadron disbanded on 9 December 1918.
No 400 & 401 (Seaplane) Flights
These were formed at Dundee on 30 May 1918, being placed under the control of No 22 Group on 8 August. They joined No 248 Squadron on 18 August 1918 but 3401 Flight left the squadron later in the month when it moved to Strathbeg but returned to the unit at Dundee, probably after the armistice. In March they moved to Killingholme as cadres where No 400 disbanded the same month and No 401 disbanded in June.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1835, N2641, N2644, N2794, N2800, N2946, N2947, N9027, N9030, N9044, N9046, N9049, N9053, N9056, N9057, N9073, N9089. N9092, N9097, |
Short 320 | N1408, N1409, |
No 402 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Seaton Carew within No 18 Group on 30 June 1918 but was transferred to No 68 Wing on 11 July 1918. It joined No 246 Squadron on 15 August 1918 and disbanded on 3 October 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1829, N2639, N2640, N2643, N2645, N9024, N9025, N9026, N9075, N9172, N9173, |
Short 320 |
N1703, |
No 403 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at East Halton, Killingholme within No 18 Group in May 1918 but was transferred to No 68 Wing on 11 July 1918. On 15 August 1918 it moved to Seaton Carew, where it joined No 246 Squadron on and disbanded on 31 May 1919 along with the squadron.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1829, N2639, N2638, N2643, N2996, N9019, N9020, N9172, N9173, |
Short 320 |
N4100, N1703, |
Hamble Baby | N1468, |
No 404 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at East Halton, Killingholme within No 18 Group in May 1918, equipped with Short 184s, but moved to Hornsea Mere on 15 August, where it joined No 248 Squadron. On 26 August 1918 it was transferred to the control of No 79 Wing and a month later moved to North Coates Fitties, where it re-equipped with DH6s
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N2922, N2997, |
DH6 |
No 405 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Hornsea Mere within No 18 Group on 15 June 1918, equipped with Short 184s. It joined No 248 Squadron on 20 August 1918 and was transferred to the control of No 79 Wing on 26 August. It disbanded along with the squadron on 6 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1226, N1235, N2922, N2997, N9088, |
No 406 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Westgate within No 4 Group on 25 May 1918, equipped with Short 184s. It joined No 219 Squadron on 22 July 1918 and disbanded in September 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
8364, N1229, N1264, N1273, N1275, N1782, N1962, N2635, N2642, N2807, N2921, N2927, N2937, N2938, N2995, N9001, N9007, N9058, |
Sopwith Baby |
N1019, |
Hamble Baby |
N1962, |
No 407 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Dover within No 5 Group on 20 May 1918, equipped with Short 184s. It joined No 233 Squadron on 31 August 1918 and disbanded on 31 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
8015, 8357, 9050, N1681, N2806, N2939, N2966, N2967, N2968, N2969, N2972, N2977, N9001, N9002, |
Sopwith Baby |
N1069, |
Hamble Baby |
N1962, |
No 408 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Newhaven within No 10 Group in May 1918, equipped with Short 184s. It was transferred to No 75 Wing on 15 August 1918 and joined No 242 Squadron on 15 August 1918, it disbanded along with the squadron on 15 September 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1249, N1685, N1766, N1799, N2804, N2820, N2821, N2928, N2964, N2970, N2974, N2980, N2985, N2998, N9061, |
Campania |
N2380, N2392, N2398, N2399, |
Fairey IIIB |
N2234, N2235, N2237, |
No 409 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Newhaven within No 10 Group as part of No 242 Squadron on 15 August 1918. It was transferred to No 75 Wing on 8 August 1918 and probably disbanded along in November 1918.
It was due to reform on 30 November 1918 but this never happened.
No 410 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Calshot within No 10 Group on 31 May 1918. It was transferred to No 74 Wing on 8 August 1918 and joined No 240 Squadron on 20 August, disbanding on 15 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Campania |
N2376, N2377, N2390, N2395, N2381 |
Short 184 |
N1769, |
Short 320 |
N1360, N1707, |
Hamble Baby |
N1970, , |
No 411 (Seaplane) Flight
This was due to form around 31 August 1918 at Calshot within No 240 Squadron and be equipped with Short 184s but plans were postponed in September and cancelled on 15 December.
No 412 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Bembridge within No 10 Group on 20 May 1918. It joined No 253 Squadron on 7 June 1918 and was transferred to No 75 Wing on 8 August disbanding with the squadron on 5 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Hamble Baby |
N1333, |
Campania |
N2378, N2383, N2385, N2388, N2646, |
Short 184 |
N1595, N1755, N1764, N1792, N1798, N2646, N2801, N2928, N2971, N2975, N2980, N2986, N9003, N9006, N9060, |
No 413 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Bembridge within No 10 Group on 15 September 1918 as part of No 253 Squadron under the control of No 75 Wing on 8 August disbanding in 5 November 1918.
It was due to reform around 21 December 1918 but the formation did not proceed.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1595, N1755, N1764, N1792, N1798, N2928, N2971, N2975, N2980, N2986, N9003, N9006, N9060, |
Hamble Baby |
N1333, |
No 414 & 415 (Seaplane) Flights
These were formed at Cherbourg within No 10 Group in May 1918. They were transferred to No 75 Wing on 8 August and joined No 243 Squadron on 7 June 1918, disbanding with the squadron on 15 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1793, N1795, N2805, N2833, N2834, N2900, N2964, N2981, N9021, N9170, |
Wight |
9845, 9854, 9857, 9858, 9859, |
Campania |
N2365, N2394, |
No 416 & 417 (Seaplane) Flights
These were formed at Portland within No 10 Group in May 1918. They were transferred to No 75 Wing on 8 August and joined No 241 Squadron on 20 August 1918, disbanding with the squadron on 18 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1006, N1259, N1594, N1758, N2965, N2973, N9007, N9008, N9062, |
Wight |
9841, 9850, 9851, 9856, |
Campania |
N2363, N2375, N2382, N2384, N2386, |
No 418 (Seaplane) Flight
This flight formed at Torquay within No 4 Group on 15 June 1918. It was transferred to No 72 Wing on 8 August and joined No 239 Squadron on 20 August 1918, disbanding with the squadron on 15 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1622, N1767, N1770, N2655, N2798, N2799, N2818, N2828, N2918, N2924, N2926, N2846, N2919, N2962, N2978, N2979, N2989, N9029, N9029, N9074, N9102, |
No 419 (Seaplane) Flight
This flight was due to form at Torquay within No 4 Group on 31 July 1918 but this was postponed and then cancelled. It eventually formed as part of No 239 Squadron at Torquay on 15 November 1918 but moved immediately to Strathbeg in No 22 Group but was transferred to No 249 Squadron at Dundee. It disbanded in June 1919.
No 420 - 423 (Seaplane) Flights
These were due to form at Cattewater within No 9 Group in May 1918 but only Nos 420 and 421 came into existence. They were transferred to No 72 Wing on 8 August and joined No 237 Squadron on 20 August 1918, disbanding with the squadron on 15 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
421 |
Short 184 |
N2913, N2918, N2923, N2924, N2925, |
420/1 | Short 184 | N2799, N2802, N2832, N2836, N2845, N2846, N2953, N2954, N2956, N2959, N2960, N2961, |
No 424 & 425 (Seaplane) Flights
These were formed from the War Flight at Newlyn within No 4 Group on 20 May 1918. They were transferred to No 71 Wing on 8 August and joined No 235 Squadron on 7 June 1918, disbanding with the squadron on 15 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1254, N1255, N1601, N1616, N1618, N1635, N1767, N1770, N1785, N2631, N2798, N2799, N2828, N2919, N2926, N2958, N2959, N2960, N2961, N2779, N2988, N2989, |
No 426 & 427 (Seaplane) Flights
These were formed from the War Flight at Fishguard within No 14 Group on 20 May 1918. They were transferred to No 77 Wing on 8 August and joined No 245 Squadron on 20 August 1918, disbanding with the squadron on 19 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1199, N1610, N2657, N2658, N2659, N2790, N2795, N2830, N2842, N2843, N2907, N2908, N2940, N2941, N2942, N9015, N9032, N9033, |
No 428 & 429 (Seaplane) Flights
These were formed at Yarmouth within No 73 Wing, No 4 Group on 20 May 1918. They joined No 229 Squadron on 20 August 1918, disbanding in March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N2901, |
Short 320 | N1303 |
No 430 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed from the War Flight at Houton Bay within No 28 Group on 30 May 1918 but was never attached to a squadron, disbanding in September 1918.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
8030, N1220, N1221, N1662, N2651, N2652, |
No 431 & 432 (Seaplane) Flights
Authority to form these flight at Port Said was given on 6 June 1918 but only No 431 appears to have formed under the control of No 64 Wing on 22 July 1918. It joined No 269 Squadron on 6 October 1918 and disbanded in August 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N2073, N2643, N2653, N2791, N2792, N2812, N2838, N2847, N2849, N2904, N2915, |
Felixstowe F3 | N4360, |
No 433 & 434 (Seaplane) Flights
These were formed at Calafrana, Malta as part of No 268 Squadron on 26 September 1918, disbanding in August 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1302, N1822, N1828, |
Short 320 |
N1491, N1502, N1504, |
No 435 & 436 (Seaplane) Flights
These were formed at Otranto as part of No 263 Squadron on 26 September 1918, moving to Taranto in November and disbanding with the squadron on 16 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1306, N1307, N1308, N1309, N1310, N1311, N1312, N1313, N1315, N1316, N1317, N1318, N1319, N1783, N2835, N2840, N2841, N2906, N2929, N2930, N2948, |
Short 320 | N1308, N1384, N1386, N1390, N1391, N1392, N1395, N1396, N1399, N1492, N1500, N1501, |
Sopwith Baby | N2090, |
No 437 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Mudros on 15 September 1918 as part of No 266 Squadron being fully absorbed into the squadron on 1 February 1919 when No 266 moved to South Russia.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
N1783, Probably more listed under No 266 Squadron |
No 438 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Skyros on 26 September 1918 as part of No 266 Squadron being fully absorbed into the squadron on 1 February 1919 when No 266 moved to South Russia.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
Probably those listed under No 266 Squadron |
No 439 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Suda Bay on 26 September 1918 as part of No 264 Squadron, disbanding with the squadron on 1 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
Probably those listed under No 264 Squadron |
No 440 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Syra on 26 September 1918 as part of No 264 Squadron, disbanding with the squadron on 1 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Short 184 |
Probably those listed under No 264 Squadron |
No 441 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at St Maria Di Leuca on 26 September 1918 as part of No 263 Squadron, moving to Taranto in November, where it disbanded on 16 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Hamble Baby |
N1336, N1982, N1983, |
Short 184 |
N1791, N1982, N1983, |
Short 320 |
N1500, |
Sopwith Baby |
N2081, N2090, N2091, N2092, N2093, |
No 442 (Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Felixstowe within No 4 Group on 15 October 1918 as part of No 219 Squadron as a replacement for No 331 Flight. It moved to Westgate in November 1918, disbanding with the squadron on 7 February 1920.
Aircraft used: -
Fairey IIIB |
N2230, N2243, |
This was formed at Dundee within No 22 Group on 30 May 1918, being transferred to No 78 Wing on 8 August and joining No 249 Squadron on 18 August 1918 before disbanding on 30 September 1918.
Aircraft used: -
Sopwith Baby |
N1063, N1100, N1432, N1438, N1439, N1440, N1441, |
Hamble Baby |
N1460, |
No 451 & 452 (Baby Seaplane) Flights
These were formed at Seaton Carew, as part of No 252 Squadron, within No 18 Group on 25 May 1918. They were transferred to No 68 Wing on 13 June and they moved to No 246 Squadron on 15 August. No 451 disbanded on 30 September 1918 followed by No 452 o 31 October.
Aircraft used: -
451 |
Sopwith Baby |
N1423, N1437, N2063, N2064, N2109, |
452 |
Sopwith Baby |
N1423, N1447, N2063, N2064, N2067, N2098, N2101, N2107, N2111, |
No 453 (Baby Seaplane) Flight
This was formed at Hornsea Mere within No 18 Group on 30 May 1918, joining No 249 Squadron on 20 August 1918 and being transferred to the control of No 79 Wing on 26 August. It disbanded on 30 November 1918.
Aircraft used: -
Sopwith Baby |
N1413, N1448, N1449, N2078, N2087, N2088, N2089, N2094, N2095, N2097, N2099, N2112, N2113, |
No 454 & 455 (Baby Seaplane) Flights
These were formed at Yarmouth within No 73 Wing on 25 May 1918, joining No 229 Squadron on 20 August 1918. No 454 disbanded on 30 September 1918 followed by No 455 on 31 October.
Aircraft used: -
Sopwith Baby |
N1412, N2114, N2115, N2116, N2117, |
This was formed within No 4 Group at Manston on 27 May 1918 and was also known as 'Tongue Defence Flight' or 'Manston Naval Flight'. It joined No 219 Squadron on 22 July 1918 but was transferred to No 273 Squadron 13 November 1918. From 11 November three aircraft were detached to Bacton and the following day three were detached to Burgh Castle. It disbanded in May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Camel |
N6634, B3922, B5600, B5601, B5600, B5706, B5707, B7269, C67, C69, E1559, F1518, F1520, F1522, F1524, F3196, F3918, |
No 471 (Fighter) Flight
This was formed within No 5 Group at Walmer on 14 June 1918, joining No 233 Squadron on 31 August. It moved to Stalhille in Belgium on 25 October 1918, where it remained until 17 March 1919 when it retrned to Walmer and disbanded.
Aircraft used: -
Avro 504A |
D1631, |
Camel |
N6634, B3922, B5600, B5601, B5600, B5706, B5707, B7269, C67, C69, D9434, D9436, D9488, D9490, D9496, F1526, F1528, F1530, F1534, F1536, F1537, F3959, F3965, F8510, |
No 472 - 474 (Fighter) Flights
These were formed at Pizzone as part of No 226 Squadron on 26 September 1918 and disbanded with the squadron on 18 December 1918.
Aircraft used: -
Camel | C42, | |
472/4 |
DH9 |
B7659, B7670, D1657, D1658, D1659, D1661, D1662, |
DH9A |
No 475 - 477 (Fighter) Flights
These were formed at Mudros as part of No 220 (Mobile) Squadron on 26 September 1918 and disbanded in August 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Camel | Probably those listed under No 220 Squadron |
No 478 - 480 (Fighter) Flights
These were formed at Mudros as part of No 222 Squadron on 26 September 1918 and disbanded with the squadron on 27 February 1919.
Aircraft used: -
478/80 |
DH9 |
D2853, D2854, |
No 481 - 483 (Fighter) Flights
These were formed at Andrano as part of No 225 Squadron on 26 September 1918 and disbanded with the squadron on 19 December 1918.
Aircraft used: -
1½ Strutter | N5223, |
Camel | C56 |
Hamble Baby | N1989, |
No 484 (Fighter) Flight
This was planned to form as part of No 269 Squadron at Port Said on 6 October 1918 to be equipped with Camels but disbandment was authorised on 4 October.
No 485 & 486 (Fighter) Flights
These were formed at Burgh Castle on 7 August 1918, joining No 273 Squadron on 20 August but then being attached to No 212 Squadron. They disbanded in August 1919.
Aircraft used: -
486 |
Camel |
N6621, N6624, F3128, F3133, F3196, F3241, F8527, |
486 |
Camel |
E1558, |
No 487 (Fighter) Flight
Formed as the Supernumerary Camel Flight at Butley on 1 September 1918, it was redesignated No 487 on 3 September as part of No 230 Squadron. It disbanded in January 1919.
Aircraft used: -
Camel |
F3128, |
Formed as the Temporary 'D' Flight at Yarmouth on 25 May 1918, it was redesignated No 490 Flight and joined No 212 Squadron on 20 August. In September 1918 it moved to Dover and disbanded along with the squadron on 9 February 1920.
Aircraft used: -
Hamble Baby Convert |
N1992, N1993, N1994, N1995, N2007, |
BE2C |
8411, 8417, 8492, 9971, |
Pup |
9904, 9905, |
Camel |
B5596, B5606, B5596, B5740, B5741, B5746, B7268, C68, C70, |
DH4 |
A7830, A7848, N6395, N6396, |
DH9 |
B7642, B7647, D1653, D1654, D1655, D1656, |
No 491 (Light Bomber) Flight
This was formed at Guston Road, Dover on 25 May 1918 and joined No 233 Squadron on 31 August. On 1 March 1919 it moved to Walmer and disbanded the same day with its personnel being absorbed into No 233 Squadron.
Aircraft used: -
1½ Strutter |
9378, 9670, N5082, N5090, |
Camel |
N6372, B6317, B6320, B7263, D8146, D8147, D8177, D8179, D8188, D8190, D9191, D9434, D9436, D9488, D9490, |
DH4 |
A3269, A7762, A7942, A8012, A8013, A8022, A8023, A8025, N6389, N6408, D1751, D1756, D1757, D1758, D8400, D8407, D8417, D8420, |
DH9 |
B7642, B7647, D5742, D7243, D7245, D7246, D7248, |
Dolphin |
C3785, |
No 492 (Light Bomber) Flight
This was formed at Prawle Point on 30 May 1918, becoming part of No 254 Squadron on 15 August. It disbanded along with the squadron on 22 February 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH9 |
B7612, B7639, B7666, C1269, C1296, C1297, C1298, C1299, D1682, D1683, D1684, D1685, D1686, D1711, D1712, D2968, D2969, |
No 493 (Light Bomber) Flight
This was formed at Mullion on 30 May 1918, becoming part of No 236 Squadron on 20 August. It probably disbanded along with the squadron on 15 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
1½ Strutter |
N5619, |
DH9 |
B7613, B7662, B7663, B7666, C1302, C1306, C1387, D1711, D1712, D5754, |
DH6 |
C7832, C7834, C7836, C7838, C7840, C7842, C7844, C7846, C7847, |
No 494 (Light Bomber) Flight
This was formed at Padstow on 2 May 1918, as a DH9 flight within No 250 Squadron, being redesignated as No 494 Flight on 30 May. It probably disbanded along with the squadron on 15 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH4 |
C5497, |
DH9 |
B7611, B7613, B7665, C1301, D1683, D1713, D1714, D2963, D2964, D2965, D2966, D2968, |
No 495 (Light Bomber) Flight
This was formed at Seaton Carew on 30 May 1918 within No 252 Squadron but was transferred to No 246 Squadron on 15 August 1918. In October it was transferred to No 256 Squadron and split between Seahouses and West Ayton to allow Seaton Carew to be used by a Vimy unit. In November 1918 the West Ayton element moved to Seahouses and it disbanded along with the squadron on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH4 |
B7985, |
Kangaroo I |
B9971, B9972, B9973, B9974, B9975, B9976, B9977, B9978, B9979, B9980, B9981, B9982, B9983, |
No 496 - 498 (Light Bomber) Flights
These were formed at Otranto within No 224 Squadron on 26 September 1918, moving to Taranto from 9 December, where they disbanded in September 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH4 |
B9484, N6421, N6422, |
No 499 (Light Bomber) Flight
This was formed on paper at Pizzone on 26 September 1918 as part of No 227 Squadron and was to have been equipped with Caproni bombers but it was never embodied and subsequently disbanded on 9 December 1918.
No 500 & 501 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Padstow on 31 May 1918 as part of No 250 Squadron, probably disbanding along with the squadron on 15 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
500/1 | DH6 | B2847, B2848, B2851, B2852, B2857, B2889, B2895, B2897, B2964, B2965, B2966, C2114, C5191, C5193, C5194, C5205, C5206, C5207, C5706, C6678, C6679, C6680, C6681, C6682, C6683, C7413, C7613, C7681, C7835, C7848, C7848, C7850, C7851, C7851, C7853, C7854, C7855,C7856, C7857, C7858, C7859, |
501 |
DH6 |
C6873, |
No 502 & 503 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Westward Ho! on 6 June 1918 as part of No 260 Squadron, before being transferred to No 250 Squadron on 15 August. They were disbanded in March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
502/3 |
DH6 |
A9569, A9659, C2087, C2088, C2112, C6671, C6672, C6680, C6872, C7417, C7418, C7419, C7422, C7423, C7431, C7432, C7554, C7848, C7849, C7850,C7852, C7854, |
No 504 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Atwick on 31 May 1918 as part of No 251 Squadron, disbanding along with the squadron on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
B3032, B3051, B3061, B3082, B3100, C5159, C5170, C5183, C5184, C5185, C5186, C5187, C5188, C5189, C5211, C6887, C6888, C6890, F3366, F3393, |
No 505 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Greenland Top on 31 May 1918 as part of No 251 Squadron, moving to West Ayton on 27 August. It moved as a cadre to Killingholme in March 1919 where it disbanded along with the squadron on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
B2784, B3064, B3065, B3067, B3068, B3079, B3100, C7335, C7339, C7340, C7348, C7655, F3403, F3407, |
No 506 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Owthorne on 7 June 1918 as part of No 251 Squadron, moving as a cadre to Killingholme in March 1919 where it disbanded along with the squadron on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
B3068, B3096, C5212, C5213, C5214, C5215, C7337, C7554, C7655, F3368, F3369, F3392, F3393, F3394, F3409, |
Pup |
B2218, |
No 507 & 508 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Cramlington on 24 May 1918 within No 18 Group as part of No 252 Squadron, moving to Tynemouth on 8 June. They were transferred to the control of No 68 Wing on 11 July and then moved as a cadre to Killingholme in March 1919 where it disbanded along with the squadron on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
507 |
DH6 |
A9571, B2720, B2843, B3011, C2079, C2081, C2082, C9336, F3396, F3398, |
508 |
DH6 |
B2843, B3081, B3085, B3090, C2083, |
507/8 |
DH6 |
B2709, B2711, B2719, B2809, B2909, B3026, B3026, B3028, B3029, B3030, B3031, B3054, B3072, B3078, B3082, C2016, C2027, C2078, C2119, C5198, C5460, C5461, C5478, C6553, C6653, C6691, C6693, C6697, C6698, C6699, C5700, C6872, C6883, C6884, C7778, C7900, C9478, C9380, C9481, C9482, F3397, F3400, F3404, F3410, F3412, F3414, F3432, |
No 509 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Cramlington on 7 June 1918 within No 18 Group as part of No 252 Squadron being transferred to the control of No 68 Wing on 11 July. It disbanded on 25 October 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
A9565, B3018, B3019, B3036, B3037, B3062, B3066, B3069, B3086, B3087, B3089, B3090, C5171, C6686, C6688, C6699, C6700, C6875, C6876, C6878, C9404, F3353, F3373, F3406, F3408, F3428, F3419, |
No 510 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Redcar on 7 June 1918 within No 18 Group as part of No 252 Squadron being transferred to the control of No 68 Wing on 11 July. In November 1918 it moved to West Ayton where it joined No 251 Squadron before moving as a cadre to Killingholme in March 1919 where it disbanded along with the squadron on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
B2856, B2933, B3003, B3005, B3063, B3079, B3086, B3100, C2035, C5730, C6685, C6689, C6692, C6694, C6695, C6696, C6697, C6699, C6700, C6862, C6871, C6873, C6881, C6882, C6885, C7655, C7657, F3430, F3433, F3435, |
No 511 & 512 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Brading on 7 June 1918 within No 10 Group as part of No 253 Squadron, moving to Now Bembridge on 8 August under the control of No 75 Wing, disbanding on 21 January 1919.
Aircraft used: -
511/12 |
DH6 |
C6565, C6566, C6578, C6582, C6587, C6590, C6591, C6592, C6593, C6677, C6877, C6889, C6891, C6897, C7875, C7877, C7878, C7883, C7885, C7889, C7891, C7892, C7893, C7896, C7897, F3413, F3417, F3424, |
No 513 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Chickerell on 7 June 1918 within No 10 Group as part of No 253 Squadron. It was transferred to the control of No 75 Wing on 8 August and joined No 241 Squadron on 20 August, disbanding on 23 January 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
C6513, C6617, C6618, C6882, C6889, C6892, C6899, C6900, F3414, F3415, F3421, |
No 514 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Telscombe Cliffs on 7 June 1918 within No 10 Group as part of No 253 Squadron. It was transferred to the control of No 75 Wing on 8 August and joined No 242 Squadron on 15 August, disbanding on 20 January 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
C6886, C6891, C6893, C6895, F3420, F3421, F3425, F3416, |
No 515 & 516 (Special Duty) Flights
A SD Flight was formed at Mullion within No 9 Group on 16 May 1918 followed by a further flight on 6 June at which point they received to designations Nos 515 and 516 and became part of No 254 Squadron. They moved to join No 236 Squadron on 20 August and disbanded along with the squadron on 15 May 1919.
Aircraft used: -
515/16 |
DH6 |
B2903, B2905, B2968, B2969, C5199, C5200, C5201, C5202, C5203, C5204, C5208, C5209, C5210, C5740, C6516, C6519, C6561, C6588, C6661, C6664, C6666, C6667, C7645, C7647, C7649, C7666, C7832, C7838, C7847, |
No 517 & 518 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Prawle Point within No 9 Group on 6 June 1918 as part of No 254 Squadron. Control was transferred to No 72 Wing on 8 August and they disbanded along with the squadron on 22 February 1919.
Aircraft used: -
517 |
DH6 |
B2856, |
517/18 |
DH6 |
B2903, B2905, B2968, B2969, C5199, C5200, C5201, C5202, C5203, C5204, C5208, C5209, C5210, C6514, C6515, C6516, C6521, C6562, C6563, C6564, C6657, C6666, C6667, C7899, |
No 519 & 520 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Pembroke within No 14 Group on 6 June 1918 as part of No 255 Squadron. Control was transferred to No 77 Wing on 8 August and they disbanded along with the squadron on 14 January 1919.
Aircraft used: -
519/20 |
DH6 |
B2771, B2781, B2796, B2789, B2903, B3038, B3039, C2067, C2076, C7346, C7350, C9412, C9415, C9423, C9439, C9440, C9443, F3349, F3351, F3353, F3357, |
No 521 & 522 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Pembroke within No 14 Group on 6 June 1918 as part of No 255 Squadron. Control was transferred to No 77 Wing on 8 August and they moved to Bangor on 15 August, joining No 244 Squadron, disbanding along with the squadron on 22 January 1919.
Aircraft used: -
521/22 |
DH6 |
B2791, B2937, B2971, B2973, B2976, B2977, B2978, B2979, B2982, B2983, B3010, B3020, B3026, C2021, C2074, C6560, C6655, C6656, C7217, C7862, C7864, C9447, C9447, |
522 |
DH6 |
B3023, |
No 523 & 524 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Luce Bay on 6 June 1918 as part of No 255 Squadron. They joined No 258 Squadron on its formation on 15 August, both disbanding along with the squadron on 5 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
523/24 |
DH6 |
B2960, |
523 |
Fairey IIIA |
N2850, |
524 |
DH6 |
B2965, B2966, B2967, B2970, B2972, C5520, C6642, C9402, C9407, C9408, C9409, C9410, C9411, C9413, C9419, C9416, C9420, C9436, C9438, C9442, C9452, |
No 525 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Prawle Point within No 18 Group on 6 June 1918 as part of No 254 Squadron, moving to Ashington on 28 June. Control was transferred to No 68 Wing on 11 July and it disbanded in June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
B3093, |
No 526 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at New Haggerstont within No 18 Group on 30 May 1918 as part of No 256 Squadron. Control was transferred to No 68 Wing on 11 July and it operated from Seahouses between October and December 1918, disbanding along with the squadron on 30 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
B3033, B3025, B3074, C2084, C5173, C6680, C6815, C6860, C6876, C6880, C7334, C7336, F3395, F3399, F3431, |
No 527 & 528 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Seahouses within No 18 Group on 6 Jun 1918 as part of No 256 Squadron. Control was transferred to No 68 Wing on 11 July and they moved to Killingholme as cadres in March 1919, where they disbanded.
Aircraft used: -
527 |
DH6 |
B2842, B2845, B2853, B2883, B2895, B3074, B3097, C5172, C5173, C5174, C6686, C6687, C6815, C6879, C6880, C7334, C7338, F3399, F3402, F3411, |
528 |
DH6 |
B2819, B2891, B2912, B2913, B2916, B2919, B2983, B2995, B3034, B3040, B3073, C2080, C2084, C5173, C5193, C5195, C5196, C6874, C6876, C6879, C6881, C7652, C7654, F3347, F3372, F3401, F3404, |
527/28 |
DH6 |
B2894, B3098, C6877, C7871, F3355, |
No 529 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Luce Bay within No 25 Group on 15 August 1918 as part of No 258 Squadron, disbanding along with the squadron on 5 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
B2965, B2966, B2967, B2970, B2972, C5520, C6642, C9402, C9407, C9408, C9409, C9410, C9411, C9413, C9419, C9416, C9420, C9436, C9438, C9442, C9452, |
No 530 (Special Duty) Flight
This was formed at Bangor under the control of No 77 Wing on 15 August 1918 as part of No 244 Squadron. It moved to Tallaght on 18 October before returning to Bangor on 11 December, where it disbanded along with the squadron on 22 January 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
C7796, |
No 531 - 533 (Special Duty) Flights
These were formed at Machrihanish within No 25 Group on 15 August 1918 as part of No 272 Squadron, disbanding along with the squadron on 5 March 1919.
Aircraft used: -
531/33 |
DH6 |
B2960, B2961, B2962, B2964, C2082, C2085, C2111, C2115, C2120, C2121, C2123, C5499, C7780, C7782, |
This was formed from Temporary 'D' Flight at Covehithie in August 1918 as part of No 273 Squadron, disbanding along with the squadron on 5 July 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH6 |
C5463, C6560, C7786, C7796, C7800, C7861, C7863, C9447, |
DH4 |
A8032, A8033, A8044, A8066, |
DH9 |
D612, D1053, D1079, D1654, D1655, E601, H4268, H4272, H4279, |
No 550 & 551 (Light Bomber) Flights
These were formed on paper at Pizzone on 26 September 1918 as part of No 227 Squadron to operate Capproni bombers but were never embodied being disbanded on 9 December 1919.
No 552 - 554 (Light Bomber) Flights
These were formed at Mudros on 26 September 1918 as part of No 221 Squadron. Nos 552 and 553 Flights went with the squadron to Petrovsk Zaskar between January and February 1919 and they disbanded in March 1920.
Aircraft used: -
552 |
DH9A |
F1094, F1095 [G], F1626, |
553 |
DH9 |
D2803 [1], |
No 555 & 556 (Light Bomber) Flights
These were formed at Manston within No 1 Group on 26 June 1918 and was to have been part of No 146 Squadron for service in Egypt but in July it was transferred to No 4 Group and on 22 July it joined No 219 Squadron. Both flights disbanded on 17 June 1919.
Aircraft used: -
555/56 |
DH9 |
C1326, C1327, C1328, C1329, C1330, C1331, C1332, D2921, D2922, D2923, D2924, D2925, E9022, E9025, E9031, H4223, |
555/56 |
DH9A |
F956, F958, |
No 557 & 558 (Light Bomber) Flights
These were formed at Yarmouth within No 4 Group on 26 June 1918, joining No 212 Squadron on 20 August. No 558 Flight operated from Holt in August before both flights moved to Dover in March 1919, where they disbanded in October 1919.
Aircraft used: -
557/8 |
DH9 |
D1078, D1081, D5793, D5807, D7368, E603, E9032, F1106, F1109, |
557 |
DH9 |
D5709, |
557/58 |
Camel |
F3197, F3198, |
557/58 |
DH9A |
F955, F956, F959, |
No 559 - 561 (Light Bomber) Flights
These were formed at Mudros on 26 September 1918 as part of No 223 Squadron, disbanding in August 1919.
Aircraft used: -
DH9 |
Probably those listed under No 223 Squadron |
No 562 (Malta Anti-submarine) Flight
This was formed at Marsa Racecourse, Malta under the control of No 17 Wing on 26 September 1918, disbanding on 1 January 1919.
This page was last updated on 11/09/20©