There is unconfirmed evidence that a No. 1439 (Strategic Reconnaissance) Flight RAF was formed during the Western Desert Campaign ca. June 1942, flying Bristol Blenheim aircraft.[1][2]
| No. 1439 Flight RAF | |
|---|---|
 A Westland Whirlwind helicopter, like the ones used in the flight | |
| Active | ? - June 1942 8 May 1957 – 20 November 1957 |
| Role | Strategic Reconnaissance Transport |
| Garrison/HQ | Western Desert (Egypt) RAF Hemswell RAF Christmas Island |
| Equipment | Bristol Blenheim Vickers Varsity Avro Anson> Westland Whirlwind |
The flight was reformed as No. 1439 (Communication Support) Flight at RAF Hemswell on 8 May 1957 to support the Nuclear Weapons Task Force during the Operation Grapple nuclear weapon tests on or near Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in a remote Pacific region.[1] Flying continued for six months until the Flight was dis-banded on 20 November 1957.[1]
Aircraft operated
edit| From | To | Aircraft | Version | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1942 | ? | Bristol Blenheim | ||
| 1 May 1957 | 20 November 1957 | Vickers Varsity | T.1 | WL676 |
| 1 May 1957 | 20 November 1957 | Avro Anson | Mk.XIX | TX196 |
| 1 May 1957 | 20 November 1957 | Westland Whirlwind | HAR.2 | XD164 |
Flight bases
edit| From | To | Base |
|---|---|---|
| June 1942 | ? | Western desert |
| 1 May 1957 | 22 August 1957 | RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire |
| 22 August 1957 | ? | LRWRE Woomera, Australia |
| ? | 20 November 1957 | RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire |
References
edit- Notes
- Bibliography
- Lake, Alan. Flying Units of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
- 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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