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No. 639 Squadron RAF

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No. 639 Squadron RAF
Active1 December 1943 – 30 April 1945
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Roleanti aircraft co-operation
Part ofNo. 70 Group RAF, Fighter Command[1]
BaseRAF Cleave
Insignia
Squadron CodesR9 (Dec 1943 – Apr 1945)[2]

No. 639 Squadron RAF was an anti aircraft co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1945.

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Cleave on 1 December 1943, from 1602 Flight, 1603 Flight, 1604 Flight and 1618 Flight[3] for anti-aircraft co-operation duties with the Hawker Henley. The main role was to provide target towing duties over Cornwall. In addition the Hawker Hurricane was used as a radar target and to fly low-level simulated attacks on troops. The squadron was disbanded on 30 April 1945.[4][5]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 639 Squadron RAF, data from[4][5][6]
From To Aircraft Version
December 1943 April 1945 Hawker Henley Mk.III
August 1944 April 1945 Hawker Hurricane Mks.IIc, IV

Squadron bases

Bases and airfields used by no. 639 Squadron RAF, data from[4][5][6]
From To Base Remarks
1 December 1943 30 April 1945 RAF Cleave, Cornwall Dets. at RAF Portreath, Cornwall and RAF Perranporth, Cornwall

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ Delve 1994, p. 72.
  2. ^ Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 104.
  3. ^ Sturtivant and Hamlin 2007, p. 128.
  4. ^ a b c Rawlings 1982, p. 258.
  5. ^ a b c Halley 1988, p. 443.
  6. ^ a b Jefford 2001, p. 102.

Bibliography

  • Delve, Ken. The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1994. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • 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, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • 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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