Flights - 1600s

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 mainly carried out anti aircraft co-operation, target towing and bomber defence training. Later in the war many of the flights were amalgamated into squadrons.

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'A' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Weston Zoyland on 1 November 1942 to work with AA units at Watchet. It disbanded into No 587 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Battle I	P6637, P6682, P6733, R7477,
Henley III	L3262, L3325, L3362,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'P' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Weston Zoyland on 1 November 1942 to work with AA units at Watchet. It disbanded into No 587 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3247, L3249, L3266, L3267, L3287, L3310, L3315, L3319, L3396, L3429, L3442,
Master I	T8781,
Tiger Moth II	T6824, T7227,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'D' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Cleave on 1 November 1942 to work with No 12 Light AA Practice Camp at Penhale. It moved to Trebelzue on 14 December and then back to Cleave on 28 February 1943, where it disbanded into No 639 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3254, L3270, L3282, L3292, L3317, L3324, L3347, L3395, L3412, L3420, L3434,
Tiger Moth II	T7118,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'G' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Cleave on 1 November 1942 to work with No 6 Heavy AA Practice Camp at Cleave. It moved to Davidstow Moor on 16 December and then back to Cleave on 27 January 1943, where it disbanded into No 639 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Battle I	P6637, P6733,
Henley III	L3255, L3262, L3268, L3286, L3328, L3371, L3389, L3397,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'O' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Cleave on 1 November 1942 to work with No 10 Light AA Practice Camp at St Agnes. It operated detachments at Trebelzue (14 Dec 1942 - 23 Mar 1943) and Perranporth (23-30 Nov 1943) before disbanding into No 639 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3260, L3300, L3326, L3349, L3350, L3395, L3437, L3439,
Tiger Moth II	T8192,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'C' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Towyn on 1 November 1942 to work with No 7 Heavy AA Practice Camp at Tonfanau (Towyn), disbanding into No 631 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3243, L3251, L3299, L3297, L3321, L3325, L3334, L3355, L3393, L3410, L3425, L3438,
Tiger Moth II	N9253,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'J' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Bodorgan on 1 November 1942 to work with No 4 Heavy AA Practice Camp at Ty Croes. It operated detachments at Mona (17-26 Feb 1944), Woodvale (Jun 1944) and Valley (Dec 1944), disbanding on 1 December 1943.

Battle I	P6727, R7378,
Henley III	L3394,
Queen Bee	N9161,
Tiger Moth II	T7612,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'B' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Carew Cheriton on 1 November 1942 to work with School of AA Artillery at Manorbier. It moved to Templeton on 3 November 1943 but was back at Carew Cheriton on 11 November, disbanding into No 595 Squadron on 1 December 1943 at Aberporth.

Henley III	L3252, L3274, L3279, L3283, L3311, L3335, L3336, L3369, L3407, L3439,
Tiger Moth II	R4750,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'L' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Aberporth on 1 November 1942 to work with No 1 Light AA Practice Camp at Aberporth. It disbanded into No 595 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3386, L3403, L3438, L3439,
Hurricane I	P2887, P3827, V7687,
Oxford II	W6634,
Tiger Moth II	R5013,
Wallace I	K4344,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'Q' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Aberporth on 1 November 1942 to work with No 13 Light AA Practice Camp at Aberavon. It disbanded into No 595 Squadron on on 1 December 1943.

Battle I	P6638, P6643, P6727, R7378,
Henley III	L3248, L3249, L3287, L3306, L3364, L3387, L3399, L3403, L3409, L3422, L3440,
Tiger Moth II	T5625,

This was to have formed in No 70 Group from either 'E' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at West Freugh or at Bodorgan on 1 November 1942 but the formation did not take place.

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'K' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Langham on 1 November 1942 to work with No 5 Heavy AA Practice Camp at Weybourne. It moved to Bircham Newton on 9 November 1942, where it disbanded into No 695 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'M' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Langham on 1 November 1942 to work with No 11 Light AA Practice Camp at Stiffkey. It moved to Bircham Newton on 8 December 1942, where it disbanded into No 695 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3256, L3296, L3330, L3331, L3341, L3354, L3378, L3420, L3421,
Tiger Moth II	N6540,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'N' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at West Hartlepool on 1 November 1942 to work with No 15 Light AA Practice Camp at Whitby. It moved to Driffield on 20 February 1943 and then Hutton Cranswick on 13 July, where it disbanded into No 291 Squadronon 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3258, L3259, L3327, L3338, L3342, L3343, L3353, L3360, L3394, L3442,
Tiger Moth II	T6809,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'F' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Cark on 1 November 1942 to work with No 9 Light AA Practice Camp at Flookburgh and No 14 Light AA Practice Camp at Netherton. It operated from Morpeth from April to June 1943 and disbanded into No 650 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3287, L3295, L3323, L3380, L6683,
Tiger Moth II	N6728,

This was to have formed in No 70 Group from 'R' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Cark but the formation did not take place.

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'H' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Martlesham Heath on 1 November 1942 to work with No 16 Light AA Practice Camp at Clacton. It moved to Ipswich on 13 March 1943, where it disbanded into No 679 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3248, L3280, L3286, L3295, L3304, L3321, L3358, L3360, L3373, L3374, L3380, L3381, L6683, L3419, L3429,
Hurricane I	P3827,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'S' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Newtownards on 1 November 1942 to work with No 18 Light AA Practice Camp at St John's Point. It amalgamated with No 1480 Flight on 17 September1943 and disbanded into No 290 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'V' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Cleave on 1 November 1942 to work with No 6 Heavy AA Practice Camp at St Agnes. It disbanded into No 639 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Queen Bee	L5888, P4680, P4761, P4806, P5737, V4752, V4761,
Tiger Moth II	N9399,

This was to have formed in No 70 Group from 'U' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Towyn but the formation did not take place.

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'Z' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Bororgan on 1 November 1942 to work with No 4 Heavy AA Practice Camp at Ty Croes. It disbanded into No 595 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Queen Bee	P4685, P4774, P4788, P4805, P4810, P5737,
Tiger Moth II	R5103, T7449,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'X' Flight of No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Aberporth on 1 November 1942 to work with No 1 Heavy AA Practice Camp at Aberporth. It disbanded into No 595 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Queen Bee	P4685, P4761, P5770, V4750, V4788,
Tiger Moth II	R5238,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'A' Flight of No 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Gosport on 14 February 1943 but was redesignated No 667 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Gladiator I	K6149, K8044, K8045,
Hurricane I	L1706, L1934, N2338, N2344, P3151, W9218,
Oxford I	V3985,
Roc I	L3082,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'C' Flight of No 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Roborough on 14 February 1943 but was redesignated No 691 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3442,
Hurricane I	L1715, L1846, L2064, P2575, P2865, Z7059,
Hurricane X	AF995,
Oxford I	L4536, N6274, P8827,
Roc I	L3072,

This was formed in No 70 Group from 'D' Flight of No 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit at Detling on 14 February 1943 but was redesignated No 691 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Gladiator I	K7894,
Gladiator II	L8031, L8032,
Hurricane I	V7075, V7659, Z7056,
Hurricane X	P5194,
Oxford I	N6250, V3400, V4261, V4262,

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 1 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Weston Zoyland on 17 June 1943, disbanding into No 587 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 2 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Langham on 17 June 1943, moving to Bircham Newton on 30 November 1943, where it disbanded into No 695 Squadron 1 December 1943.

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 3 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Ipswich on 17 June 1943, disbanding into No 679 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Hurricane I	Z4853,
Lysander TT III	R9068,

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 4 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Towyn on 17 June 1943, disbanding into No 631 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Henley III	L3276, L3323, L3337, L3382, L3400,
Lysander III	T1697,
Lysander TT III	P1682, P1743, R9107, T1688,

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 5 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Hutton Cranswick on 17 June 1943, disbanding into No 291 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 6 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Acklington on 17 June 1943, disbanding into No 291 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Lysander TT II	N1210,
Lysander TT III	P9111, T1747,

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 7 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Shoreham on 17 June 1943, disbanding into No 667 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

Lysander TT III	P1682, P1743, T1755,
Tomahawk IIB	AK279,

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 8 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Montrose on 17 June 1943, disbanding into No 598 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

This was to have been formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 9 RAF Regiment AA Practice Camp at Eastchurch on 17 June 1943 but formation never took place.

This was formed in No 70 Group from the Target Towing Flight of No 1 RAF Regiment School, Filey at Hutton Cranswick on 17 June 1943, disbanding into No 291 Squadron on 1 December 1943.

This was formed as No 1676 (Target Towing) Flight at North Front, Gibraltar on 12 October 1942 but at some point became 'C' Flight, No 253 Squadron. It was reformed as No 1676 (Gibraltar Defence) Flight on 12 September 1943, equipped with six Spitfires but became 'C' Flight, No 253 Squadron again on 5 April 1944. In the meantime an advance party of the Gibraltar Defence Flight had been sent to La Senia, arriving on 4 May 1944, followed by the remainder of the flight fives days later. Here it joined No 337 Wing but once again absorbed into a Squadron, this time No 256, on 11 May.

This was formed in No 38 Group at Netheravon on 1 March 1944, moving to Rivenhall on 12 October, from where it operated a detachment at Tarrant Rushton in November and December. It moved to Wethersfield on 28 December followed by Gosfield on 14 January 1945, Shepherds Grove on 28 January, Matching on 18 April before returning to Wethersfield on 19 October, where it disbanded on 15 January 1946. By the time it disbanded its title had changed to No 1677 (Towed Target) Flight.

This was formed in No 44 Group as No 1680 (Western Isles) Communication Flight on 24 May 1943 at Abbotsinch to take the ferrying of VIP to the Western Isles from the Station Flight. It moved to Prestwick on 6 March 1944, where it was redesignated No 1680 (Transport) Flight on 8 April and on 17 August it joined No 116 (Transport) Wing. It was transferred to No 47 Group on 1 January 1945 and then No 46 Group on 1 December being disbanded on 15 April 1946.

DH89	Z7258 (ex G-AFMH),
Dominie I	R5928, X7323, X7327, X7372, X7407, X7416, X7513,
Harrow I	K7032,
Tomahawk IIB	AK162,
Walrus I	P5650,
Wellington I	L4263,

This was formed in No 91 Group on 5 June 1943 at Pershore, equipped with six Tomahawks to provide fighter affiliation facilities to No 23 OTU. It operated a detachment at Kinloss (Nos 19 & 20 OTUs) from 1 July 1943 to 8 March 1944 and moved to Long Marston on 8 March 1944, where it disbanded on 21 August 1944.

Tomahawk I	AH746, AH776, AH797, AH822, AH833, AH852, AX900,
Tomahawk IIA	AH881, AH885, AH920, AH939,
Tomahawk IIB	AK141, AK156, AK163,

This was formed in No 91 Group on 2 July 1943 at Stanton Harcourt, equipped with five Tomahawks to provide fighter affiliation facilities to Nos 10, 15 and 21 OTUs. Affiliation exercises began in August but on 26 February 1944 it was forced to move to Enstone due to runway construction at Abingdon, requiring its aircraft to take over Stanton Harcourt. It disbanded on 1 August 1944.

Tomahawk I	AH799, AH822, AH846, AH852, AH857, AH860, AH862,
Tomahawk IIA	AH882, AH896, AH903, AH995,
Tomahawk IIB	AK120,

Officers Commanding:

29 Jun 1943 Flt Lt Hodges

This was formed in No 92 Group on 5 June 1943 at Bruntingthorpe, equipped with six Tomahawks to provide fighter affiliation facilities to local squadrons and bomber OTUs. It moved to Market Harborough on 3 February 1944, where re-equipped with Hurricanes in March, disbanding on 1 August 1944.

Tomahawk I	AH753, AH775, AH836, AH842, AH853, AH864,
Tomahawk IIA	AH882, AH884, AH899, AH929, AH941,
Tomahawk IIB	AK101, AK116, AK136, AK190, AK276,

This was formed from the Bomber Defence element of No 26 OTU in No 92 Group on 5 June 1943 at Little Horwood, equipped with six Tomahawks to provide fighter affiliation facilities to local Bomber Command units. It moved to Wing on 17 July 1943, where re-equipped with Hurricanes in March, disbanding on 1 August 1944.

Tomahawk I	AH757, AH781, AH801, AH848,
Tomahawk IIA	AH892, AH895, AH918,
Tomahawk IIB	AK116, AK158, AK161, AK162, AK166,

Officers Commanding:

29 Jun 1943 Flt Lt F A Barnard

This was formed in No 93 Group on 5 June 1943 at Ossington, equipped with six Tomahawks to provide fighter affiliation facilities to local Bomber Command units. It re-equipped with Hurricanes in April 1944 and from 12 July 1944 if operated a detachment at Finningley, disbanding on 21 August 1944.

Tomahawk I	AH763, AH764, AH777, AH795, AH802, AH825, AH838,
Tomahawk IIA	AH903, AH947, AH949, AH986, AH997, AH999,
Tomahawk IIB	AK102, AK195, AK118,

This was formed in No 93 Group on 5 June 1943 at Hixon, equipped with six Tomahawks to provide fighter affiliation facilities to local Bomber Command units and disbanded on 21 August 1944.

Tomahawk I	AH769, AH783, AH832, AH850, AH852,
Tomahawk IIA	AH898, AH908, AH926,
Tomahawk IIB	AK122, AK128,

This was formed in No 15 Base, No 1 Group on 15 February 1944 at Ingham/Cammeringham, equipped with Spitfires to provide fighter affiliation facilities to units within the Group. It moved to Scampton on 4 December and at the same time took over some Martinets from the disbanding No 1481 Flight. It relocated again, this time to Hemswell on 2 April 1945, where it disbanded on 30 October 1946.

Oxford II	P1089, V3580,
Spitfire IIA	P7301, P7690, P7912, P7998, P8083, P8695,
Spitfire IIB	P8230, P8562,
Spitfire VB	W3231, W3439, W3518, AA413, AA553, AA753, AA487, AB194, AB487, AD413, AR390, BM343,
Martinet I	HP167, HP168, HP207, HP317, HP316, HP319, HP323, HP324, HP325, HP326, MS642, MS696, MS746,

Officers Commanding: -

xx xxx xxxx Sqn Ldr H A England

xx Dec 1945 Flt Lt A J Thompson

8 Jan 1946 Flt Lt W C Jacob

This was formed from No 1483 Flight, No 3 Group on 15 February 1944 at Newmarket with Spitfires to provide fighter affiliation facilities to units within the Group. It moved to Feltwell on 25 February 1945 and then Wyton on 19 March 1946, where it disbanded on 30 October 1946.

Oxford II	X6949, AP484,
Spitfire VB	W3180, W3656, W3822, AD182,
Tiger Moth II	T7351,

This was formed as No 1689 (Bomber) Defence Training Flight from No 1484 Flight, No 3 Group on 15 February 1944 at Holme-on-Spalding Moor with a detachment at Riccall, equipped with Spitfires to provide fighter affiliation facilities to units within the Group. It disbanded on 7 May 1945.

It reformed as from No 41 Group Training Flight as No 1689 (Ferry Pilot Training) Flight on 6 March 1946 at Aston Down as part of No 20 MU tasked with training ferry pilots for No 41 Group. It disbanded into the Ferry Training Unit at Benson on 9 April 1953

Oxford I	X6648, AT778,
Oxford II	T1075, W6557,
Spitfire VB	AD379,
Tiger Moth II	T7261,

Officers Commanding: -

xx xxx xxxx Sqn Ldr E G Badcoe (1944)

This was formed from No 1485 Flight, No 5 Group on 15 February 1944 at Syerston with Spitfires to provide fighter affiliation facilities to units within the Group, from where it operated detachments at a number of Bases. It moved to Scampton on 13 July 1944 with a detachment at Fiskerton from 11 August to 21 September 1944 before moving to Metheringham on 27 September 1944 and then back to Syerston on 4 June 1945, where it disbanded on 12 October 1945.

Oxford II	P6809,
Spitfire IIA	P7919, P8177, P8180, P8440,
Spitfire IIB	P8091, P8388, P8476, P8503,
Tiger Moth II	R5245,

Officers Commanding: -

15 Feb 1944 Sqn Ldr E M Undery

23 Jun 1944 Flt Lt H Baker (Temp)

22 Jul 1944 Sqn Ldr J L Munro

30 Jul 1945 Sqn Ldr A H Tomlin

This was formed in No 6 (RCAF) Group on 20 June 1943 at Dalton with Martinets and Oxfords, being absorbed into No 1695 Flight on 15 February 1944.

This was formed from the Radar Development Flight as No 1692 (Radar Development) Flight around 5 July 1943 at Drem with a variety of types. It moved to Little Snoring on 10 December 1943, where it joined No 100 Group to train Mosquito crews in the use of Serrate. On 21 May 1944 it moved to Great Massingham and on 17 June was redesignated No 1692 (Bomber Support) Training Flight, disbanding on 16 June 1945.

Beaufighter IF	X7555, X7567, X7614,
Beaufighter VIF	V8545, X8000, X8147,
Beaufighter VIF	V8341, V8545, V8713, V8744,
Defiant II	AA383, AA405, AA436, AA540, AA568, AA580, AA654, AA659, AA660, AA661, AA662, AA666,
Defiant TT III	AA539,
Mosquito II	W4076, W4092,
Oxford II	V3535,

This was formed in No 13 Group on 8 September1943 at Skitten equipped with Ansons to provide anti-submarine protection to exercises in the Home Fleet Exercise Area as well as ASR patrols. It moved to Wick on 11 December 1943 and then Sumburgh on 16 June 1944 with a detachment at Stornoway from 10 August 1944. On 31 May 1945 it moved to Docking in No 16 Group and on 11 August it moved to Bircham Newton and disbanded.

This was formed in No 100 Group as No 1694 (Target Towing) Flight on 24 January 1944 at West Raynham equipped with Martinets. It moved to Great Massingham on 21 May and was redesignated No 1694 (Bomber (Defence) Training Flight on 1 November 1944, disbanding on 30 July 1945.

This was formed in No 6 (RCAF) Group to replace No 1691 Flight on 15 February 1944 at Dalton with Martinets but later receiving Hurricanes and Spitfires. It moved to Dishforth on 23 April 1945, where it disbanded on 28 July 1945.

Oxford I	R6036,
Oxford II	N4739,
Spitfire I	K9825,
Spitfire IIA	P7660, P8035, P8204,
Spitfire VB	W3245, W3697, AB898, AB964, AD571, AD573, AR278,

This was formed to replace No 1499 Flight in No 8 Group on 15 February 1944 at Gransden Lodge to provide fighter affiliation facilities to units within the Group, with a detachment at Ipswich from 15 February 1944 to 29 April 1945. It moved to Bourn on 28 October 1944 and then to Warboys on 28 June 1945, where it disbanded on 28 September 1945.

Oxford II	N4739, T1386,
Spitfire ASR IIC	P7359, P7775,
Spitfire VB	W3128, W3950, AB183,
Tomahawk IIA	AH986,

This was formed in No 46 Group on22 March 1944 at Hendon, initially equipped with 12 Hurricanes, later receiving 12 Ansons. It was tasked with delivering dispatches to and from the battlefields of north Europe. It moved to Northolt on 9 May 1944, where the following month the Hurricanes were replaced by 14 Ansons but on 16 July these were in turn replaced by 18 Hurricanes. On 9 October 1944 the remaining Ansons were separated to form No 1322 Flight, with No1697 Flight being disbanded on 12 December 1944, its tasking being taken over by the Aircraft Dispatch Letter Service Squadron.

This was to have formed in No 11 Group on 15 April 1944 at Farnborough with 8 Meteors to undertake development with jet aircraft but the plans did not proceed.

This was formed in No 100 Group on 24 April 1944 at Sculthorpe to train replacement crews for No 214 Squadron. It moved to Oulton on 16 May1944, where it received three Liberators in August, being redesignated No 1699 (Training) Conversion Unit on 24 October 1944.

Fortress I	AN520, AN537,
Spitfire VB	W3902,

This was to have formed in No 44 Group on 1 December 1944 at St Mawgan but this was immediately changed to No 1529 Beam Approach Training Flight, in order to avoid confusion with the series of numbers allocated to the FAA.