No. 1457 Flight RAF | |
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![]() An A-20 Havoc of the USAAF, like the ones used by the flight | |
Active | 15 Sep 1941 – 8 Sep 1942 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | Night Fighter (Turbinlite) |
Part of | No. 10 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. 1457 (Fighter) Flight was formed at RAF Colerne on 15 September 1941, and was equipped with Turbinlite Douglas Boston and Douglas Havoc aircraft.[2] On operations they cooperated with the Hawker Hurricanes of 247 Squadron. By 15 November 1941 the flight moved to RAF Predannack, Cornwall.[3] During its operational life the flight had three sightings of possible enemy aircraft. The first occasion was on 24 June 1942,[4] when the flight lit up a suspected Ju 88 and the satellite fighters of 247 sqn fired - on a RAF Short Stirling.[4] Others sightings occurred on 27 June and in August, but no enemy aircraft was shot down.[4] The flight was replaced with 536 Squadron on 8 September 1942[3] (not on 2 September due to administrative reasons)[5] but officially disbanded as late as 31 December 1942.[3]
536 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,[6] when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.[7]
Aircraft operated
[edit]From | To | Aircraft | Version |
---|---|---|---|
15 September 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I (Turbinlite) |
15 September 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I |
15 September 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.II (Turbinlite) |
15 September 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.II |
15 September 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.II (Turbinlite) |
15 September 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.III (Turbinlite) |
Flight bases
[edit]From | To | Base |
---|---|---|
15 September 1941 | 15 November 1941 | RAF Colerne, Wiltshire |
15 November 1941 | 8 September 1942 | RAF Predannack, Cornwall |
Commanding officers
[edit]From | To | Name |
---|---|---|
15 September 1941 | May 1942 | S/Ldr. J.R. Watson |
May 1942 | 8 September 1942 | S/Ldr. Motion |
References
[edit]- Notes
- 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.