No. 1460 (Fighter) Flight was formed at RAF Acklington on 15 December 1941, equipped with Turbinlite Douglas Boston and Douglas Havoc aircraft.[2] The flight became operational in May 1942 and made its first and only contact with the enemy in June of that year.[3] On operations they cooperated first with the Hawker Hurricanes of 43 Squadron and later with those of 1 Squadron.[4] The flight was replaced with 539 Squadron on 2 September 1942[4][5] but officially disbanded as late as 23 January 1943.[4]
No. 1460 Flight RAF | |
---|---|
Active | 15 Dec 1941 – 2 Sep 1942 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Air Force |
Role | Night Fighter (Turbinlite) |
Part of | No. 13 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 |
539 Squadron, which had taken over the men and machines, carried on flying the Turbinlite Bostons and Havocs until 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 December 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I |
15 December 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I (Turbinlite) |
15 December 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.I |
15 December 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.II (Turbinlite) |
15 December 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.III (Turbinlite) |
From | To | Base |
---|---|---|
15 December 1941 | 2 September 1942 | RAF Acklington, Northumberland |
From | To | Name |
---|---|---|
15 December 1941 | March 1942 | S/Ldr. G.J. Denholm, DFC |
March 1942 | 2 September 1942 | S/Ldr. J.S. Morton, DFC |