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]
No. 1457 Flight RAF | |
---|---|
Active | 15 Sep 1941 – 8 Sep 1942 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Air Force |
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 |
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]
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) |
From | To | Base |
---|---|---|
15 September 1941 | 15 November 1941 | RAF Colerne, Wiltshire |
15 November 1941 | 8 September 1942 | RAF Predannack, Cornwall |
From | To | Name |
---|---|---|
15 September 1941 | May 1942 | S/Ldr. J.R. Watson |
May 1942 | 8 September 1942 | S/Ldr. Motion |