Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Flight Histories - 1400 Series

Third series

At the beginning of WW2 it became necessary to form a number of units for specific operational and non-operational duties which did not require a unit of squadron size and so began the formation of what would eventually become a large number of independent numbered flights.  Initially these flights were numbered from 400 as it had been decided to allocate the 300 series to squadrons to be composed of European personnel.  However, on 1 March 1941 these numbered flights had 1000 added to their designation to avoid confusion with the Article XV Commonwealth squadron that were beginning to form in the UK.

Flights in this series carried out a wide range of duties including meteorological reconnaissance, target towing and transport/communications.  Later in the war many of the flights were amalgamated into squadrons and numbers in this series continue to be used to the present day.

No 401/1401 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed within No 3 Group from the RAF Meteorological Flight as No 401 Meteorological Flight at Mildenhall on 4 February 1941.  It was equipped with two Gladiators, was redesignated No 1401 Meteorological Flight on 1 March 1941 and moved to Bircham Newton on 25 October where it received some Hurricanes and on 1 November 1941, administrative control was transferred to No 16 Group, whilst operational control  was transferred to HQ Coastal Command.  It absorbed No 1403 Flight and its Hudsons on 7 February 1942 and received some Spitfires in July with which it commenced THUM flights.  It was redesignated No 521 Squadron on 1 August 1942.

It reformed at Bircham Newton on 1 April 1943 from the PRATA element of No 521 Squadron, which disbanded the previous day, its tasks including RHOMBUS, PRATA and THUM flights.  It moved to Manston on 10 August 1943, Docking on 25 August and then back to Manston on 1 September, where it was transferred to Fighter Command.  On 23 November 1944 it was transferred to No 136 Wing of the 2nd TAF and then to No 34 (Reconnaissance) Wing on 14 January 1945, when it moved to Melsbroek.  It moved to Eindhoven on 15 April, joined No 35 (Reconnaissance) Wing on at Celle on 16 September, where it disbanded on 28 June 1946.. 

Aircraft used: -

No 402/1402 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed within RAFNI from the 'C' Flight at Aldergrove as No 402 Meteorological Flight on 15 January 1941 equipped with Gladiators for THUM flights. It was redesignated No 1402 Meteorological Flight on 1 March 1941 and on 14 September 1941, administrative control was transferred to No 15 Group, whilst operational control  was transferred to HQ Coastal Command.  Spitfires arrived in October and and the Blenheims and Hudsons of No 1405 Flight being absorbed on 7 February 1942, which were used to carry out Bismuth flights over the Atlantic.  It moved to Ballyhalbert on 1 December 1944 and then back to Aldergrove on 9 August 1945, where it was redesignated No 518 Squadron on 1 October.

Aircraft used: -

No 403/1403 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed within No 16 Group as No 403 Meteorological Flight at Bircham Newton on 24 December 1940 to carry out meteorological reconnaissance flights over the North Sea.  It was redesignated No 1403 Meteorological Flight on 1 March 1941, with operational control being transferred to HQ Coastal Command on 1 November 1941, but was reduced to a 'number only' basis by being absorbed into No 1401 Flight on 7 February 1942.

It was reformed at North Front in Gibraltar on 6 March 1943 equipped with Gladiators in order to undertake THUM flights and later received some Hudsons for night sorties.  It was officially disbanded on 7 August 1943 but may have continued to operate as it formed the basis of No 520 Squadron formed on 20September 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 404/1404 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed within No 15 Group as No 404 Meteorological Flight at St Eval on 24 December 1940 with three Blenheims.  It was redesignated No 1404 Meteorological Flight on 1 March 1941, with operational control being transferred to HQ Coastal Command on 1 November 1941 and in January 1942 was transferred to No 19 Group with the Blenheims being replaced by Hudson in June, which were later supplemented with some Albemarles.  By November 1942 it had four Hudson IIIs, four Hampdens and a Ventura, being redesignated No 517 Squadron on 11 August 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1405 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed within RAFNI as at Aldergrove on 24 December 1940 equipped with three Blenheim IVs for long range 'Bismuth' sorties over the Atlantic and on 14 September 1941, administrative control was transferred to No 15 Group, whilst operational control was transferred to HQ Coastal Command on 1 November 1941.  It received some Hudsons in December 1941 but was reduced to a 'number only' basis on being absorbed into No 1402 Flight on 7 February 1942.

Aircraft used: -

No 1406 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed within No 18 Group at Wick on 9 May 1941 with one Spitfire, with operational control being transferred to HQ Coastal Command on 1 November 1941.  It acquired Hudsons on 7 February 1942 when it absorbed No 1408 Flight but was absorbed into No 519 Squadron on 7 August 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1407 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed on 2 October 1941 at Reykjavik and was included in the establishment of the station, with operational control being transferred to HQ Coastal Command on 1 November 1941.  It was to operate two long range Hudsons on meteorological sorties over the North Atlantic but these didn't arrive until 12 April 1942 and was later increased to four.    Four Hampdens were acquired in November but the were replaced by Venturas when they proved unsuitable.  It was redesignated No 251 Squadron on 1 August 1944.

Aircraft used: -

No 1408 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed within No 18 Group at Wick on 3 December 1941 with two Hudsons but was reduced to a 'number only' basis on being absorbed into No 1406 Flight on 7 February 1942.

Aircraft used: -

No 1409 Flight

This was formed as No 1409 Meteorological Flight within No 8 Group at Oakington on 1 April 1943 from the Mosquito Flight of No 521 Squadron to conduct meteorological reconnaissance flights over Europe for Bomber Command and the USAAF.  It moved to Bourn in November and to Wyton on 8 January 1944, where it remained until 5 July 1945 when it moved to Upwood.  On 10 October 1945 it transferred to No 47 Group, Transport Command and moved to Lyneham, where it received some Liberators, being redesignated No 1409 (Long Range Meteorological) Flight.  It transferred to No 44 Group on 1 February 1946, disbanding on 15 May.

No 1411 (Meteorological) Flight

A Meteorological Flight was originally formed at Heliopolis on 14 April 1941 equipped with three Gladiators to provide meteorological data for Egypt and Palestine.   It was redesignated No 1411 Flight on 1 January 1942 and moved to Almaza on 22 August, where it re-equipped with Hurricanes in July 1943.  It disbanded on 15 August 1943, transferring its duties to the Royal Egyptian Air Force.

Aircraft used: -

No 1412 (Meteorological) Flight

Originally formed as the Meteorological Flight, Khartoum at Heliopolis on 21 September 1941 it was equipped with three Gladiators to provide meteorological data over the Sudan.   It was redesignated No 1412 Flight on 1 January 1942 and operated detachments at Summit (15 Jan - 7 Nov 1942), Cartargo (7 Nov - 12 Dec 1942) and Wadi Seidna (6 Mar - 1 Apr 1943).  The Gladiators were replaced by Hurricanes in June 1943 with night flights beginning in 1944.  Spitfires replaced the Hurricanes in June 1945  and the flight disbanded on 30 April 1946.

Aircraft used: -

No 1413 (Meteorological) Flight

A Meteorological Flight was originally formed at Ramleh on 21 September 1941 equipped with three Gladiators to provide meteorological data for Syria and Cyprus.   It was redesignated No 1413 Flight on 1 January 1942 and moved to Lydda on 18 November from where detachments were operated at  Rayak, Aqir and St Jean in August 1943.  On 15 June 1943, the flight's personnel moved to No 20 Personnel Transit Camp at Beit Daras, presumably without any aircraft, as Hurricanes didn't arrive until the following month.  It moved to St Jean on 2 November 1944 and returned to Lydda on 14 January 1945, where it received some Spitfires, disbanding on 31 January 1946.

Aircraft used: -

No 1414 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed at Eastleigh, Kenya on 1 January 1942 equipped with three Gladiators and provided aircraft at a number of detachments throughout East Africa.  These included Mogadishu (Aug 1942 - 30 Apr 1945), Port Reitz (xxx 194? - Sep 1943, 15 May 1945 - ?), Myndishu (1943 - 1945), Kisumu (Jul - xxx 1944, Aug 1945 - ?), Mombasa (xxx 1943 - 15 May 1946).  By the time it disbanded on 15 May 1946 its equipment was composed of four Spitfire Vs.

Aircraft used: -

No 1415 (Meteorological) Flight

This was formed at Habbaniya on 18 July 1942 within No 215 Group equipped with four Gladiators, which were exchanged Hurricanes in November 1943.  It moved to Baghdad on 5 April 1944, where it began night sorties.  A move back to Habbaniya came on 29 June but it returned to Baghdad on 9 July 1944, before returning to Habbaniya on 9 December.  In January 1945 it carried out anti-aircraft co-operation exercises and received Spitfires in July, finally disbanding on 15 May 1946.

Aircraft used: -

No 416/1416 Flight

This was formed within No 22 Group at Hawkinge as No 416 (Army Co-operation) Flight on 1 March 1940 equipped with nine Lysanders but disbanded on 31 March.

It was reformed at Hawkinge as No 416 (Army Co-operation) Flight on 17 April 1940 and operated a detachment at Exeter from 7 May to 5 June 1940.  The Flight HQ moved to Cosford on 26 May 1940 leaving a detachment at Hawkinge but then moved to Aldergrove on 27 June, where it was redesignated No 231 Squadron on 1 July 1940.

It reformed, once again as No 1416 (Reconnaissance) Flight at Hendon within No 71 Group on 10 March 1941 to carry out visual strategical reconnaissance in the UK for GHQ Home Forces.  Equipped with four Spitfire PR Gs, it joined No 34 (Reconnaissance) Wing in August 1941 and received some Blenheims.  It moved to Benson on 5 September 1941, from where it began to carry out photographic Reconnaissance sorties over Northern Europe but was redesignated No 140 Squadron on 17 September.

Aircraft used: -

No 417/1417 Flight

This was formed within No 15 Group at St Athan as No 417 (General Reconnaissance) Flight on 15 July 1940 equipped with four Ansons and operated a detachment from Bircham Newton until it departed for West Africa on 1 October 1940.  It arrived at Freetown, Sierra Leone before the end of 1940 but on 23 January 1941 was in transit back to the UK, arriving at St Athan on 24 February.  It was redesignated No 1417 (General Reconnaissance) Flight on 1 March 1941 but disbanded on 18 March.

It reformed as No 1417 (Leigh Light Trials) Flight within No 19 Group at Chivenor on 13 January 1942 with four Wellington VIIIs but was redesignated No 172 Squadron on 4 April.

Its third incarnation began on 1 November 1953 as No 1417 Communications Flight at Muharraq, Bahrain under the control of AHQ Iraq.  Equipped with five Anson C 19s it provided general transport and communications support in the Trucial States.  It was re-equipped with Pembrokes in October 1955 and redesignated No 152 Squadron on 1 October 1958.

So far it final incarnation began at Khormaksar in Aden on 1 March 1963 when the fighter reconnaissance element of No 8 Squadron became No 1417 (Fighter Reconnaissance) Flight.  It was equipped with four Hunter FR 10a and four T 7s, which it used to support both air and ground forces involved in the Radfan operations during 1964.  It was eventually absorbed back into No 8 Squadron on 8 September 1967.

Aircraft used: -

No 418/1418 Flight

This was formed as No 418 Flight at Abbotsinch on 18 July 1940 equipped with tropicalised Hurricanes to be sent to Malta.  It embarked on board HMS Argus on 21 July 1940 and sailed two days later with the aircraft being flown off on 2 August.  On arriving at Hal Far ad Luqa the aircraft were absorbed into No 261 Squadron, effectively disbanding the flight.

No 1418 Flight was formed at Marham as the GEE Development Unit on 6 June 1942.  Equipped with Wellingtons it moved to Tempsford on 1 March and then Gransden Lodge on 8 April, finally being absorbed into the Bombing Development Unit on 20 July 1942.

Aircraft used: -

No 419/1419 Flight

This was formed at North Weald as No 419 (Special Duties) Flight on 21 August 1940 equipped with two Lysanders, with which to carry out agent dropping and other clandestine flights in occupied Europe.  It moved to Stapleford Tawney in September and began operations using Tangmere as an advanced base.  It was transferred to Stradishall on 9 October 1940 where it received two Whitleys, being redesignated No 1419 (Special Duties) Flight on 1 March 1941.  A Maryland was received around this time for trials but it was redesignated No 138 Squadron on 25 August 1941.

It was reformed at Benson on 4 March 2005 equipped with Merlins from No 28 Squadron for service in Iraq.  It moved to Al Amarah later that month where it worked alongside the Chinooks of No 1310 Flight.  When British forces withdrew from Iraq in 2009 it moved to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan remaining until May 2013 when it disbanded.

Aircraft used: -

No 420/1420 Flight

This was formed as No 420 Flight at Christchurch on 25 September 1940 to conduct Operation 'Mutton', a plan to lay aerial mines in the path of enemy bombers, moving to Middle Wallop on 29 September.  Initially using Harrows, but was planed to receive Havocs and Bostons using the code name PANDORA but was redesignated No 93 Squadron on 7 December 1940.

Aircraft used: -

On 5 May 1941 a detachment of No 114 Squadron was redesignated No 1420 Flight at Thornaby equipped with Blenheims.  On 10 May the flight was assigned for overseas and embarked fives days later but when this was cancelled the flight was disembarked at Selkirk on 5 June and it moved Leuchars.  It then moved to West Raynham on 19 July, along with No 114 Squadron where it disbanded on 15 November with its personnel going to Nos 17 and 232 Squadrons.

No 421 (Reconnaissance) Flight

This was formed at Gravesend on 8 October 1940 from a nucleus of personnel from No 66 Squadron and equipped with six Spitfire IIs, which were replaced by ten Hurricanes on 12 October.  It was set up to fly at high altitude along the French coast in order to spot enemy bomber formations as they crossed the Channel and report their strength, direction and height to HQ No 11 Group at Uxbridge.  It moved to West Malling on 31 October and early the following month re-equipped with Spitfires before moving to Biggin Hill on 6 November.  It moved again on 15 November, this time to Hawkinge, where it was redesignated No 91 Squadron on 11 January 1941.

Aircraft used: -

 8 Oct 1940                                    Flt Lt C P Green

No 422/1422 Flight

This was originally formed as No 422 (Fighter Interception) Flight at Shoreham on 14 October 1940 equipped with Hurricanes to carry out trials in using single-seat fighters in the night fighting role.  It moved to Cranage on 9 December 1940 where it was redesignated No 96 Squadron on 18 December.

Aircraft used: -

On 12 April 1941 the Airborne Target Illumination Flight at Heston was redesignated No 1422 (Night Fighter) Flight.  It was tasked with carrying trials with various devices including the Turbinlite airborne searchlight and the Helmore projectile using mainly Bostons and Havocs but also a small number of other types.  In July 1943 the Hurricanes and Bostons were disposed of followed by the Turbinlite equipment in August, the flight being disbanded on 3 June 1944, with it role being transferred to the RAE (Special Projectile) Flight.

Aircraft used: -

No 1423 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed from a flight of No 98 Squadron at Kaldadarnes, Iceland on 10 June 1941 equipped with 10 Hurricanes and two Battles to provided air defence of Reykjavik.  It moved to Reykjavik on 15 July 1941 from where it flew escort sortie on 16 August to HMS Prince of Wales, which was transporting Winston Churchill.  It moved to Ouston in the UK on 19 December 1941 and gradually reduced in size until it was a number-plate only and officially disbanded on 22 November 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1424 (Air Observation Post) Flight

This was formed from 'D' (Army Co-operation) Flight at Larkhill on 20 September 1941 to train pilots in the techniques required in conducting artillery shoots using a variety of type.  As its size increased it was redesignated No 43 Operational Training Unit on 1 October 1942.

Aircraft used: -

No 1425 (Communications) Flight

This was was to have formed under the control of Ferry Command at Hurn on 9 October 1941 with Liberators but this was cancelled.  It actually formed in No 44 Group at Prestwick on 30 October 1941 equipped with two Liberators with which to undertake long range ferry duties to the Middle East and eventually to Russia.  It relocated to Honeybourne on 16 November 1941 but used Hurn as a servicing base and from where the first flight departed on 17 January 1942.  It moved to Lyneham n 5 April 1942, where it was redesignated No 511 Squadron on 10 October 1942.

Aircraft used: -

No 1426 Flight

This was formed as No 1426 (Enemy Aircraft Circus) Flight at Duxford on 21 November 1941 to operate a number of captured German aircraft around the UK for aircraft recognition purposes as well a conducting air-to-air fighting exercises.  It moved to Collyweston to be near the AFDU at Wittering on 12 March 1943 and disbanded on 17 January 1945 with its aircraft going to the Enemy Aircraft Flight of the Central Fighter Establishment at Tangmere.

A detachment of No 7 Squadron at Khormaksar, Aden was redesignated No 1426 (Photographic Reconnaissance ) Flight on 1 January 1956, equipped with four Lincoln B2s.  It tasks included border patrols along the borders with Saudi Arabia and Yemen to prevent gun running into Aden and convoy escorts.  It operated detachments in Bahrein from 8 March to 17 May 1956 and 17 November to 20 December 1956 before disbanding on 31 December.

Aircraft used: -

No 1427 (Ferry Training) Flight

This was formed at Thruxton on 13 December 1941 in No 41 Group and was tasked with training ATA pilots to fly four-engined aircraft using a mixture of Stirlings and Halifaxes.  Various moves followed, Hullavington on 18 May 1942, Marham on 5 September and finally Stradishall on 2 October, where it merged with No 1657 HCU, although it didn't lose its separate identity until 1 April 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1428 (Ferry Training) Flight

This was formed within No 7 Group at Horsham St Faith and Oulton on 29 December 1941 with one section training bomber crews on Hudson IIIs whilst the other section, Ferry Training Section, trained personnel to carry out overseas delivery of Hudsons.  It disbanded on 6 June 1942.

Aircraft used: -

No 1429 (Czechoslovak Operational Training) Flight

This was formed within No 3 Group on 1 January 1942 equipped with Wellingtons tasked with training Czech crews destined for No 311 Squadron.  Six of its aircraft took part in the first '1,000 Bomber' raid on Cologne on the 30 May 1942 and on 26 June the flight moved to Woolfox Lodge, transferring to No 92 Group.  It transferred to No 93 Group and moved to Church Broughton on 26 August 1942 but on 8 November it was transferred to No 17 Group, Coastal Command at Thornaby and was affiliated to No 6 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit until 27 February 1943 when it was absorbed into No 6 (C) OTU as the Czechoslovak Flight.

Aircraft used: -

No 430/1430 Flight

This was formed as No 430 (Army Co-operation) Flight from 'D' Flight, No 47 Squadron at Khartoum on 3 August 1940 equipped with a mixture of Gauntlets and Vincents.  It moved to Sufeiya on 19 January 1941 where it was redesignated No 1430 Flight on 1 March.   Part of the flight was merged with No 185 Squadron on 12 May at Hal Far and the flight disbanded on 7 October 1941.

It was reformed as No 1430 (Flying Boat Transport) Flight under the control of ACSEA on 5 August 1946 at Kai Tak, equipped with five Sunderlands but was redesignated No 88SQuadron on 1 September 1946.

Aircraft used: -

No 431 Flight

The nucleus of this Flight, four crews, was drawn from No 22 Squadron at North Coates on or about 16 August 1940 equipped with three Marylands.  It moved to Thorney Island on 4 September 1940 and then out to Luqa in Malta on 19 September, when it formally came into existence, with one aircraft having been left at Andover until November as a reserve.   On formation it absorbed No 3 AACU and a Blackburn Skua which had led a party of Hurricanes from HMS Argus.  It was redesignated No 69 Squadron on 10 January 1941.

Officers Commanding: -

19 Sep 1940                       Capt K L Ford RM

1 Nov 1940                        Flt Lt E A Whiteley      

Aircraft used: -

No 1432 (Photographic Reconnaissance) Flight

This was formed at Kaduna in West Africa on 5 September 1942 with eight Hurricanes to conduct tactical and photographic reconnaissance for Army units during manoeuvres and exercises.  It would also have undertaken these missions operationally if it had been required.  It moved to Kano in November 1942 and disbanded on 15 April 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1433 Flight

This was formed somewhere in the UK in February 1942 with four Lysanders to carry out meteorological and photographic reconnaissance in the Middle East.  It arrived in the Middle East Command area on 11 April 1942 and by May was located at Diego Suarez in Madagascar under the control of No 207 Group.  Various moved were made, namely Maratsipoy on 19 September, Ivato on 24 September, Tananarive in October, back to Ivato in December, where it was transferred to No 258 Wing on 17 January 1943 before returning to Maratsipoy in February 1943, disbanding there on 15 April 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1434 Flight

This was formed as No 1434 (Photographic Reconnaissance) Flight from the RAF Flight of No 60 Squadron SAAF on 23 March 1942 at Habbaniya, equipped with Blenheims.  It was tasked with conducting a photographic survey of the oil installations from the Turkish border to Bahrein in case of a German invasion through the Caucasus.  It moved to Rayak on 5 April  and Nerab on 5 May, from where it was able to photograph Northern Syria.  During this period it was attached to No 241 Wing and operated detachments at Teheran and Aqir.  It moved to Aqir on 21 May 1943 and three days later to Beit Daras, where it disbanded o 1 July 1943..

It had a further brief incarnation as No 1434 (Target Towing) Flight from March to May 1945 but its place of formation is unknown, however it may have disbanded into No 1494 Flight at North Weald.

Aircraft used: -

No 1435 Flight

It was first formed by redesignating the Malta Night Fighter Unit at Takali on 4 December 1941, equipped with Beaufighters and Hurricanes to continue the night defence of the island previously provided by MNFU, disbanding around 22 June 1942.

It was reformed on 15 July 1942 at Luqa as a Spitfire equipped fighter unit from a nucleus of pilots from No 603 Squadron.  It gradually increased in size resulting in it being raised to squadron status on 2 August 1942, but unlike other flights it was permitted to retain its number, thereby becoming No 1435 Squadron, the only RAF flying squadron to be given a four-figure number.

From 1983 to 1988 the permanent air defence for the Falkland Islands had been provided by the Phantoms of No 23 Squadron but when a new 23 Squadron was established in the UK to operate Tornado F3s the Falklands unit was redesignated, on 1 November 1988 as No 1435 Flight, taking over 23 Squadron's Phantoms.  The Phantoms were exchanged for Tornado F3s in 1992 and when the type was retired by Typhoon FGR4s in September 2009.

Officers Commanding: -

 4 Dec 1941                            Sqn Ldr I Westmacott

Aircraft used: -

No 1436 Flight

This was formed as No 1436 Balloon Flight at Hook from 'D' Flight of No 974  Squadron on 13 December 1941 and was destined for service with No 260 Wing, Aden, beginning the journey on 3 January 1942.  It arrived in Aden on 24 January 1942 and was tasked with providing balloons for the protection of shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.  It was rdiced to a nucleus in December 1942 but wasn't formally disbanded until 25 September 1944.

No 1437 (Strategic Reconnaissance) Flight

This was formed at Fuka from a Strategic Reconnaissance Flight in March 1942, equipped with Marylands, which were soon replaced by Baltimores.  It led a very mobile life moving to Maktila in March, Heliopolis on 13 June, Wadi Natrun in August, Burg el Arab by 1 September, LG201 in October, LG102 in November, Marble Arch in January 1943 and then Hazbub in April.  At Hazbub it re-equipped with ex-USAAF Mustangs and began moving again, Sorman West on 26 May, Matariya on 3 June, Luqa on 16 July, Lentini on 30 July, Francesco on 16 August, Milazzo East on 8 September and finally Gioia Del Colle on 23 September, where it disbanded on 17 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1438 (Strategic Reconnaissance) Flight

This was formed at No 28 Personnel Transit Centre, Hadera on 9 August 1942, being equipped with two Blenheims for service in the Levant. It moved to Aleppo on 31 August  and the Teheran on 28 November, where it relieved No 1434 Flight.  On 17 February 1943 it moved to Mosul and joined No 217 Group to photograph landing grounds in the area.  Its final move was to No 23 PTC at Helwan on 17 April, where it disbanded on 1 May 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1439 Flight

This was originally formed as No 1439 (Strategic Reconnaissance) Flight in the Middle East, location unknown, in June 1942 but it fate is unknown.

It was reformed within No 3 Group at Hemswell on 8 May 1957 equipped with eight Varsities and two Whirlwind HR2s for use in connection with the nuclear tests in Australia and on Christmas Island.  It arrived at Edinburgh Field for operations at Woomera on 22 August, where it worked in conjunction with the Canberras of No 76 Squadron. It disbanded at Hemswell on 20 November 1957.

No 1440 Flight

This was formed from a detachment of No 985 Balloon Squadron at Cardington on 7 December 1942 and embarked for North Africa on 8 January 1943.  It disembarked at Algiers on 17 January 1943, being redesignated No 1 Shore Servicing Unit on 9 March 1943.

No 1441 (Combined Operations Development) Flight

This was formed within No 17 Group at Abbotsinch on  20 January 1942 equipped with Ansons and Lysanders to support Combined Operations units under training in western Scotland.  It later received Mustangs and Hurricanes and on 19 October 1942 it moved to Dundonald, joining No 105 Wing, being redesignated No 516 Squadron  on 28 April 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1442 (Ferry Training) Flight

This was formed at Bicester as 'X' Flight, within No 7 Group, attached to No 13 Operational Training Unit on  21 January 1942 but disbanded on 1 August.

Commanding Officers: -

xx xxx 1941:                                Sqn Ldr N H E Messervy

Aircraft used: -

No 1443 (Ferry Training) Flight

This was formed from the Ferry Training and Despatch Flight on 21 January 1942 within No 6 (Auxiliary) Group at Harwell and was attached to No 15 Operational Training Unit.  It was transferred to No 91 Group and was redesignated No 310 Ferry Training Unit on 30 April 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1444 (Ferry Training) Flight

This was formed within No 2 Group at Horsham St Faith on  21 January 1944 to train crews in the ferrying of Hudsons overseas.  It moved to Lyneham and transferred to No 44 Group on 20 June, where it was redesignated 'B' Flight, No 301 Ferry Training Unit on 30 April 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1445 Flight

This was formed within No 44 Group at Lyneham on 27 February 1942 to training crews and prepare 32 Liberators for ferrying to the Middle East to equip Nos 159 and 160 Squadrons.  It later undertook the ferrying of Halifaxes before becoming 'C' Flight, No 301 Ferry training Unit on 1 November 1942.

Aircraft used: -

No 1446 (Ferry Training) Flight

This was formed within No 91 Group at Bassingbourn, equipped with Wellingtons on 23 March 1942, being affiliated to No 11 OTU.  It moved to Moreton-in-Marsh on 18 May becoming affiliated to No 21 OTU but was redesignated No 311 Ferry Training Unit on 1 May 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1447 Flight

This was formed from a detachment of No 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit as a lodger unit at Hooton Park to train Wireless Operator/Ai Gunners for Coastal Command on 19 March 1942.  It was due to disband in May with the formation of (Observer) Advanced Flying Units but continued and moved to Carew Cheriton 11 December 1942, where it became 'A' Flight, No 4 Radio Direction Finding School and disbanded on 15 December.

Aircraft used: -

No 1448 (Rota) Flight

This was formed from the Calibration Flight, Autogyro Section, No 74 (Signals) Wing at Duxford on 17 February 1942.  Using Cierva Autogyros on calibration duties, it moved to Halton on 2 March, where it was redesignated No 529 (Rota) Squadron on 15 June 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1449 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed from a detachment of No 87 Squadron in No 10 Group at St Mary's in the Scilly Isles on 10 April 1942 with four Hurricanes for the air defence of the Isles, disbanding on 17 September 1944.

Aircraft used: -

No 1451 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed in No 11 Group at Hunsdon on  22 May 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft.  It operated in conjunction with Hurricanes from No 1422 Flight and later No 3 Squadron.  Its duties were taken over by No 530 Squadron on 2 September 1942 and it disbanded on 25 January 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1452 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed in No 11 Group at West Malling on  7 July 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft as a trials unit.  Originally it was intended that the flight would operate its own Defiants but instead it operated in conjunction with those of No 264 Squadron and later also Hurricanes of No 32 Squadron.  Its duties were taken over by No 531 Squadron on 2 September 1942 and it disbanded on 22 January 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1453 Flight

This was formed as No 1453 (Fighter) Flight in No 12 Group at Wittering on 10 July 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft.  It operated in conjunction with Defiants and Hurricanes of No 151 Squadron and later the Hurricanes of No 486 Squadron.  A detachment operated from Hibaldstow with Hurricanes of No 253 Squadron from 27 July to 2 September 1942 when its duties were taken over by No 532 Squadron and it disbanded on 22 January 1943.

It reformed at Kinloss from the Fighter Command Vanguard Flight in No 81 Group on 5 June 1953, using three Neptunes on Airborne Early Warning duties over the North Sea, relocating on the same day to Topcliffe.  It had been transferred to No 12 Group at some point but on 15 Aug 1955 it was transferred to No 19 Group, Coastal Command and disbanded on 30 June 1956.

Following the end of the Falklands War, a detachment of Harriers was station at Port Stanley and this was designated No 1453 Flight on 27 August 1983, until it was disbanded on 30 June 1985, its duties being taken over by a detachment of Phantoms provided by UK based units.

Aircraft used: -

No 1454 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed in No 10 Group at Colerne on  26 June 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft.  It operated in conjunction with Hurricanes of No 98 Squadron and moved to Charmy Down on 26 January 1942.  Its duties were taken over by No 533 Squadron on 2 September 1942 and it disbanded on 31 January 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1455 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed in No 11 Group at Tangmere on 7 July 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft, operating in conjunction with Hurricanes of Nos 1 and 3 Squadrons.  Its duties were taken over by No 534 Squadron on 2 September 1942 and it disbanded.

Aircraft used: -

No 1456 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed in No 9 Group at Hunsdon on 24 November 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft.  It operated in conjunction with Hurricanes of No 257 Squadron, moving to High Ercall on 6 June 1942.  Its duties were taken over by No 535 Squadron on 2 September 1942 and it disbanded on 25 January 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1457 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed in No 10 Group at Colerne on 15 September 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft.  It operated in conjunction with Hurricanes of No 247 Squadron and moved to Predannack on 15 November 1941.  Its duties were taken over by No 536 Squadron on 2 September 1942 and it disbanded on 31 January 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1458 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed from No 93 Squadron  in No 10 Group at Middle Wallop on 6 December 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft.  It operated in conjunction with Hurricanes of No 245 Squadron and its duties were taken over by No 537 Squadron on 2 September 1942.  It disbanded on 25 January 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1459 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed in No 11 Group at Hunsdon on 20 September 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft.  It operated in conjunction with Hurricanes of No 253 Squadron, moving to Hibaldstow on 21 September, where it became the only Turbinlite flight to actually participate in the destruction of any enemy aircraft.  Its duties were taken over by No 538 Squadron on 2 September 1942 and it disbanded on 25 January 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1460 (Fighter) Flight

This was formed in No 13 Group at Acklington on 15 December 1941 equipped with 8 Havoc Turbinlite aircraft.  It operated in conjunction with Hurricanes of No 43 Squadron and later No 1 Squadron but its duties were taken over by No 539 Squadron on 2 September 1942 and it disbanded.

Aircraft used: -

No 1471 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight

This was formed in No 70 Group at Old Sarum on 1 April 1942 equipped two Tomahawks to work with the School of Artillery to develop and teach artillery reconnaissance techniques.  It later received Mustangs and disbanded on 10 October 1942.

Aircraft used: -

No 1472 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight

This was formed in No 33 Wing at Dishforth on 15 June 1942 equipped with three Tomahawks and three Battles to provide air co-operation to the GHQ Home Forces Battle School at Barnard Castle.   It moved to Catterick on 16 January 1943 with the Battles being replaced by Hurricanes and also, later, the Tomahawks.  It disbanded on 15 November 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1473 Flight

This was formed as No 1473 (Special Duties) Flight from 'A' (Wireless Reconnaissance) Flight, No 109 Squadron on 10 July 1942 at Upper Heyford under the control of No 92 Group.  Equipped with Ansons and Wellingtons, it was involved in 'Window' trials and the investigation of German radio transmissions.  It moved to Finmere on 1 December 1942 and then Feltwell on 14 September 1943 by which time it had been retitled No 1473 (RCM) Flight and was operating eight Wellingtons, two Halifaxes and four Anson as well as a Leopard Moth and a Mosquito.  Further moves took place to Little Snoring on 28 November 1943 and Foulsham on 12 December, where it was absorbed into No 192 Squadron on 1 February 1944.

Aircraft used: -

No 1474 (Special Duties) Flight

This was formed at Stradishall on 4 July 1942 from 'B' and 'C' Flights, No 109 Squadron under the control of No 3 Group equipped with six Wellingtons.  Its main task was to investigate German radars and determine the wavelengths being used.  It moved to Gransden Lodge on 1 December 1942, where it received three Mosquitoes and was redesignated No 192 Squadron on 4 January 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1475 (Training) Flight

This was formed at Pocklington on 21 November 1942 in No 4 Group equipped with three Halifaxes to convert No 41 Group and ATA pilots, moving to Marston Moor on 7 March 1943, where it was absorbed into No 1652 HCU on 15 May 1943.

No 1476 (Advance Ship Recognition) Flight

This was formed from the Advanced Ship Recognition Flight in No 29 Group at Skeabrae on 9 February 1943 with four Ansons.  It moved to Grimsetter on 7 June before returning to Skeabrae on 25 June, where it disbanded on 1 January 1944.

Aircraft used: -

No 1477 (Norwegian) Flight

This was formed in No 18 Group from a Norwegian detachment at Woodhaven on 17 February 1943 equipped with three Catalinas.  These were used to conduct clandestine operations to Norway.  From 16 April 1943 the flight operated six Mosquitoes (ex No 235 Squadron) from Leuchars on shippin reconnaissance sorties along the Norwegian coast.  It disbanded on 5 May 1943 but its personnel were absorbed into No 333 (Norwegian) Squadron five days laer.

Aircraft used: -

No 1478 Flight

This was formed in No 26 Group as part of the Signals Development Unit a Hinton-in-the-Hedges on 15 April 1943 equipped with seven Whitleys.  Its aircraft were modified to act as flying wireless stations to ground assault troops and it moved to Portreath on 11 June 1943 from where it departed for North Africa.  It transited through Ras el Ma the following day and arrived at Maison Blanche on 13 June but was disbanded on 30 June when it amalgamated with other units into the Communication Unit, Mediterranean Air Command.

Aircraft used: -

No 1479 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight

This was formed in No 14 Group a Peterhead on 1 May 1942 to work with local Army units.  It was transferred to No 70 Group on 14 June 1943 and disbanded into No 598 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1480 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight

This was formed from the No 81 Group Target Towing Flight at Ballyhalbert on 24 November 1941 but was now in No 82 Group.  It moved to Newtownards in December 1941 with control being transferred to RAF Northern Ireland on 15 October 1942 and then to No 70 Group on 14 June.  It was amalgamated with No 1617 Flight on 1 December 1943 to form No 290 Squadron.

Aircraft used: -

No 1481 Flight

This was formed as No 1481 (Target Towing) Flight from No 1 Group Target Towing Flight at Binbrook on 14 November 1941 equipped with Lysanders to provide target facilities to No 1 Group units.  In January the designation was changed to No 1481 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight, which in turn was changed to No 1481 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight on 2 May 1942 and then No 1481 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight on 18 December.  As well as providing target facilities to local AA units and No 1 Group squadrons it also ran Air Gunner Leaders' Courses with an Air Bomber Training Unit being affiliated to the flight from 17 June 1942 to 15 March 1943. Othoer duties carried out included Air Gunners' course, Aircraft Recognition courses and Browning Gun courses.  The flight moved to Blyton on 26 September 1942 and then to Lindholme on 2 November before returning to Binbrook on 7 May 1943 and finally to Ingham between 3 and 15 March 1944, where it disbanded into No 1687 Flight at Scampton on 4 December 1944.

Aircraft used: -

Officers Commanding: -

14 Nov 1941                         Fg Off-Flt Lt Pinkham (Flt Lt from 1 Jan 1942)

xx May 1942                         Sqn Ldr A H S Browne

27 Jul 1943                            Flt Lt A F Beechy

 6 Aug 1943                          Sqn Ldr D H Murphy

No 1482 Flight

This was formed as No 1482 (Target Towing) Flight from No 2 Group Target Towing Flight at West Raynham in November 1941 equipped with Lysanders to provide target facilities to No 2 Group units.  In January the designation was changed to No 1482 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight, which in turn was changed to No 1482 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight on 2 May 1942 and then No 1482 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight on 18 December. An Air Bomber Training Unit was affiliated to the flight from 17 June 1942 to 15 March 1943. A variety of types were added and a number of moves took place, first to Great Massingham (10 May 1943), then West Raynham (17 Sep 1943) and finally Swanton Morley on 1 December 1943, where it disbanded on 1 April 1944 and formed the nucleus of No 2 Group Support Unit.

Aircraft used: -

No 1483 Flight

This was formed as No 1483 (Target Towing) Flight from No 3 Group Training Flight at Newmarket on 18 November 1941 equipped with Lysanders and Wellingtons to provide target facilities to No 3 Group units.  In January the designation was changed to No 1483 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight, which in turn was changed to No 1483 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight on 31 July 1942 and then No 1483 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight on 18 December.  An Air Bomber Training Unit was affiliated to the flight from 17 June 1942 to 15 March 1943. A variety of types were added and a move took place to Marham on 13 July 1943 but it returned to Newmarket on 29 June, where it disbanded, being replaced by No 1688 Flight on 11 March 1944.

No 1484 Flight

This was formed as No 1484 (Target Towing) Flight from No 4 Group Target Towing Flight at Driffield on 14 November 1941 equipped with Lysanders and Battles to provide target facilities to No 4 Group units.  In January the designation was changed to No 1484 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight, which in turn was changed to No 1484 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight on 2 May 1942 and then No 1484 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight on 18 December.  An Air Bomber Training Unit was affiliated to the flight from 17 June 1942 to 15 March 1943 and on 23 July 1943 it moved to Leconfield, although from 3 January 1944 it operated from Lissett (HQ remaining at Leconfield). It disbanded, being replaced by No 1688 Flight on 15 February 1944.

Aircraft used: -

No 1485 Flight

This was supposedly formed as No 1485 (Target Towing) Flight at Coningsby on 30 October 1941, but its ORB does not begin until January 1942 when No 5 Group Training Flight was redesignated as No 1485 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight.  Equipped with Lysanders, its role was to provide refresher training for air gunners to No 5 Group units.  Its designation was changed to No 1485 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight on 31 July 1942 and then No 1485 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight on 18 December.  The HQ and Gunnery Section moved to Dunholme Lodge on 1 August 1942, whilst the Target Towing Section remained at Coningsby.  An Air Bomber Training Unit affiliated to the flight, had been formed at Wigsley on 17 June 1942 and this moved to join the HQ at Dunholme Lodge on 27 August, remaining until disbanding on 15 March 1943. 

The unit made further moves, the next being to Fulbeck on 27 October 1942, where it was joined the Target Towing detachment from Coningsby on 8 March 1943, then to Skellingthorpe on 23 August 1943 and finally Syerston on 12 November 1943 where it disbanded on 26 February 1944.

Aircraft used: -

No 1486 Flight

This was formed as No 1486 (Target Towing) Flight from No 9 Group Target Towing Flight at Valley on 30 October 1941 equipped with Lysanders, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 9 Group units.  On 22 April 1942 the designation was changed to No 1483 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight.  It disbanded into No 12 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1487 Flight

This was formed as No 1487 (Target Towing) Flight from No 10 Group Target Towing Flight at Warmwell on 30 October 1941 equipped with Lysanders, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 10 Group units.  It operated detachments at Portreath (Jan & Jun 1942), Fairwood Common (1 Apr 1942 - 13 Sep 1943), Exeter ( 2 Oct 1942 - 3 Aug 1943) and Colerne (3 Jan  - 31 Jul 1943).  On 22 April 1942 the designation was changed to No 1487 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight and it moved to Fairwood Common on 13 September 1943, where it disbanded into No 11 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1488 Flight

This was formed as No 1488 (Target Towing) Flight from No 11 Group Target Towing Flight at Shoreham on 1 December 1941 equipped with Lysanders, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 11 Group units.  On 22 April 1942 the designation was changed to No 1488 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight.  It moved to Rochford on 9 February 1942 but on 29 April it was split with No 1 Flight returning to Shoreham whilst No 2 remained at Shoreham. A further move took place on 7 June 1942 to Martlesham Heath and then to Southend on 17 August 1943, where it disbanded into No 17 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1489 Flight

This was formed as No 1489 (Target Towing) Flight at Sutton Bridge from No 12 Group Target Towing Flight, at Coltishall, on 2 October 1941.  It was equipped with Lysanders and Henleys, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 12 Group units.   On 13 April 1942 it moved to Matlask, where it was redesignated No 1489 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight on 22 April and on 2 June 1943 it moved to Hutton Cranswick.  No 1495 Flight was attached to the unit on 10 July on moving from Sawbridgeworth.

It operated detachments at East Fortune (13 Sep 1942 - xxx xxxx), High Ercall (Dec 1942 - Jun 1943), Kirton-in-Lindsey (Dec 1942 - Apr 1943) and Ludham (Dec 1942 - xxx 1943) and disbanded into No 16 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1490 Flight

This was formed as No 1490 (Target Towing) Flight from No 13 Group Target Towing Flight at Acklington on 8 December 1941 equipped with Lysanders and Henleys, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 13 Group units.  On 22 April 1942 the designation was changed to No 1490 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight, moving to Ouston on 4 September 1942, where it disbanded into No 14 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1491 Flight

This was formed as No 1491 (Target Towing) Flight from No 14 Group Target Towing Flight at Acklington on 8 December 1941 equipped with Lysanders, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 14 Group units.  On 22 April 1942 the designation was changed to No 1491 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight, moving to Skeabrae on 15 November, Castletown on 16 August 1943 and finally Peterhead in around October1943, where it disbanded into No 15 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1492 Flight

This was formed as No 1492 (Target Towing) Flight within No 70 Group at Weston Zoyland on 18 October 1941 equipped with Lysanders, to provide target facilities on the Lilstock Firing Range .  On 22 April 1942 the designation was changed to No 1490 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight and it disbanded into No 13 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1493 Flight

This was formed as No 1493 (Target Towing) Flight from No 82 Group Target Towing Flight at Ballyhalbert on 31 October 1941 equipped with Lysanders, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 82 Group units.  It moved to Newtownards on 6 January 1942 with detachments at Eglinton (Mar - 23 Aug 1942), Ballyhalbert (6 Apr 1942 - 26 Jan 1943), Kirkistown (6 Apr - xxx 1942) and on 22 April 1942 the designation was changed to No 1493 (Fighter) Gunnery Flight.  It moved back to Ballyhalbert on 26 January 1943 before moving to England arriving at Eastchurch on 14 April 1943.  It moved again on 26 July to Detling as part of No 11 Group and then Gravesend on 7 October, where it disbanded into No 18 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1494 Flight

This was formed as No 1494 (Target Towing) Flight at Long Kesh on 8 December 1941 equipped with Lysanders, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to RAF Northern Ireland units.  It moved to Sydenham on 13 April 1942 and then Ballyhalbert on 16 April, where it remained until it moved to England on 5 March 1945, arriving at North Weald, where it disbanded on 30 June 1945.

Aircraft used: -

No 1495 Flight

This was formed as No 1495 (Target Towing) Flight in No 34 (Reconnaissance) Wing at Sawbridgeworth on 8 August 1942 equipped with Lysanders to provide target towing facilities on the air-to-ground range on Mersea Island.  It moved to Hutton Cranswick on 10 July 1943 in No 12 Group, where it disbanded into No 16 Armament Practice Camp on 14 November 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1496 Flight

This was to have been formed at Hawarden on 11 November 1942 with Lysanders, but the aircraft were allocated to Nos 41 and 42  Operational Training Units instead.

No 1497 Flight

This was formed in No 33 Wing as No 1497 (Target Towing) Flight at Macmerry on 8 March 1943 equipped with Lysanders, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to local units.  It moved to Ayr on 22 June and then Shoreham, in No 11 Group, on 3 July, where it disbanded into No 17 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1498 Flight

This was formed in No 38 Wing as No 1498 (Target Towing) Flight at Hurn on 8 March 1943 equipped with Lysanders, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 10 Group units.  It moved to Colerne on 14 August 1943 and then Fairwood Common on 12 September, where it disbanded into No 11 Armament Practice Camp on 18 October 1943.

Aircraft used: -

No 1499 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight

This was formed at Wyton  on 8 March 1943 equipped with Martinets, with which it provided air gunnery refresher training to No 8 Group units.  It moved to Ipswich on 16 September 1943, where it disbanded and was absorbed into No 1696 Flight on 15 February 1944 to form a target towing section.

This page was last updated on 19/05/24

         [Top of Page]