No. 1459 Flight RAF | |
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![]() An A-20 Havoc of the USAAF, like the ones used by the flight | |
Active | 20 Sep 1941 – 2 Sep 1942 |
Country |
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Branch |
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Role | Night Fighter ( Turbinlite) |
Part of | No. 12 Group RAF, Fighter Command [1] |
Insignia | |
Squadron Badge heraldry | No known badge |
Squadron Codes | No 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]
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) |
From | To | Base |
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20 September 1941 | 21 September 1941 | RAF Hunsdon, Hertfordshire |
21 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | RAF Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire |
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 |
No. 1459 Flight RAF | |
---|---|
![]() An A-20 Havoc of the USAAF, like the ones used by the flight | |
Active | 20 Sep 1941 – 2 Sep 1942 |
Country |
![]() |
Branch |
![]() |
Role | Night Fighter ( Turbinlite) |
Part of | No. 12 Group RAF, Fighter Command [1] |
Insignia | |
Squadron Badge heraldry | No known badge |
Squadron Codes | No 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]
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) |
From | To | Base |
---|---|---|
20 September 1941 | 21 September 1941 | RAF Hunsdon, Hertfordshire |
21 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | RAF Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire |
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 |