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]

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

Description

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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, C.G. 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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