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No. 1459 Flight RAF

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No. 1459 Flight RAF
An A-20 Havoc of the USAAF, like the ones used by the flight
Active20 Sep 1941 – 2 Sep 1942
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleNight Fighter (Turbinlite)
Part ofNo. 12 Group RAF, Fighter Command[1]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryNo known badge
Squadron CodesNo known identification code for the flight is known to have been carried

No. 1459 (Fighter) Flight was formed at RAF Hunsdon, Hertfordshire on 20 September 1941, equipped with Turbinlite Douglas Boston and Douglas Havoc aircraft.[2] By 21 September 1941 the flight moved to RAF Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire.[3] On operations they cooperated with the Hawker Hurricanes of 253 Squadron.[4]

1459 Flight was perhaps the most successful unit of its kind: after becoming operational in March 1942 they made their first target illumination was on 28 April 1942, but that night the satellite aircraft were not in position.[4] Two days later Flt/Lt. C.V. Winn illuminated a He 111 which fell victim to S/Ldr. Yapp of 253 sqn.[4][5] Three more contacts were made in May 1942, but all proved friendly.[4] In July by now S/Ldr. C.V. Winn scored a probable Do 217 and P/O J.A. Gunn another Do 217 damaged.[4] A further aircraft was claimed as damaged in August,[4] giving a total of one destroyed, one probable and two damaged.

The flight was replaced with 538 Squadron on 2 September 1942[3][6] but officially disbanded as late as 25 January 1943.[3] 538 Sqn, which had taken over men and machines, carried on flying the Turbinlite Bostons and Havocs till the system was abandoned on 25 January 1943,[7] when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.[8]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 1459 Flight RAF, data from[2][3][4]
From To Aircraft Version
20 September 1941 2 September 1942 Douglas Havoc Mk.I
20 September 1941 2 September 1942 Douglas Havoc Mk.I (Turbinlite)
20 September 1941 2 September 1942 Douglas Havoc Mk.II
20 September 1941 2 September 1942 Douglas Havoc Mk.II (Turbinlite)
20 September 1941 2 September 1942 Douglas Boston Mk.II (Turbinlite)
20 September 1941 2 September 1942 Douglas Boston Mk.III
20 September 1941 2 September 1942 Douglas Boston Mk.III (Turbinlite)

Flight bases

Bases and airfields used by no. 1459 Flight RAF, data from[2][3][4]
From To Base
20 September 1941 21 September 1941 RAF Hunsdon, Hertfordshire
21 September 1941 2 September 1942 RAF Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire

Commanding officers

Officers commanding no. 1459 Flight RAF, data from[4]
From To Name
20 September 1941 March 1942 S/Ldr. J.B. Nicholson, VC
March 1942 May 1942 S/Ldr. V.R. Oats
May 1942 2 September 1942 S/Ldr. C.V. Winn, DFC


References

Notes
  1. ^ Delve 1994, p. 57.
  2. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 90.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sturtivant and Hamlin 2007, p. 123.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rawlings 1978, p. 466.
  5. ^ Rawlings 1978, p. 357.
  6. ^ Jefford 2001, p. 97.
  7. ^ Halley 1988, p. 403.
  8. ^ Rawlings 1978, p. 463.
Bibliography
  • Delve, Ken. The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1994. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Lake, Alan. Flying Units of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (2nd edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO and John Hamlin. RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
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