List of Royal Air Force aircraft independent flights

This is a list of Royal Air Force independent Flights. An independent Flight is a military administrative structure which is used to command flying units where the number of aircraft is not large enough to warrant a fully fledged squadron.

RAF Coastal based numbered Flights 1918–1929

(Flying Boat) Flights[1][2][3][4]
  • 300, 306, 309, 310, 311, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 339, 341, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 367

(Seaplane) Flights[4][5][6]

  • 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455

(Fighter) Flights[6][7]

  • 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487

(Light Bomber) Flights[7]

  • 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499

(Special Duty) Flights[7][8][9]

  • 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533

(Light Bomber) Flights[9][10]

  • 534, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561

(Anti-Submarine) Flights[10]

  • No. 562 (Anti-Submarine) Flight RAF

Royal Air Force Numbered Flights 1923–36

later Fleet Air Arm of the RAF numbered Flights.[10][11]

FlightFormed atFormed onDisbanded atDisbanded onNotes
No. 401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars1 April 1923RAF Netheravon3 April 1933Renamed No. 401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 801 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 402 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars1 April 1923RAF Netheravon3 April 1933Renamed No. 402 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 800 Naval Air Squadron
No. 403 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars1 April 1923RAF Kai Tak,
Hong Kong
15 July 1936Renamed No. 403 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 715 (Catapult) Flight FAA
No. 404 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars1 July 1923RAF Netheravon3 April 1933Renamed No. 404 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 800 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 405 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAARAF Leuchars31 May 1924RAF Netheravon3 April 1933Became 803 Naval Air Squadron
No. 406 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAARAF Leuchars31 May 1924RAF Seletar,
Malaya
15 July 1936Became No. 714 (Catapult) Fight FAA
No. 407 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAARNAS Donibristle1 September 1927RAF Mount Batten15 July 1936Became No. 712 (Catapult) Flight FAA
No. 408 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAARNAS Donibristle30 March 1929Aboard
HMS Glorious
3 April 1933Became 802 Naval Air Squadron
No. 409 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAARAF Gosport7 October 1932Aboard
HMS Glorious
3 April 1933Became 802 Naval Air Squadron
No. 420 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAFRAF Gosport1 April 1923Aboard
HMS Glorious
26 April 1929Renamed No. 420 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 449 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.
No. 421 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAFRAF Gosport1 April 1923Aboard
HMS Glorious
26 April 1929Renamed No. 421 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 447 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.
No. 422 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAFRAF Gosport1 April 1923Aboard
HMS Argus
26 April 1929Renamed No. 422 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 450 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.
No. 423 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAFRAF Gosport21 November 1923Aboard
HMS Eagle
26 April 1929Renamed No. 423 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 448 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.
No. 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars1 May 1923RAF Kai Tak,
Hong Kong
11 June 1933Renamed No. 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Absorbed by 824 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 441 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars1 April 1923Aboard
HMS Glorious
3 April 1933Renamed No. 441 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 823 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 442 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars1 April 1923RAF Netheravon3 April 1933Renamed No. 442 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 822 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 443 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars21 May 1923RAF Mount Batten15 July 1936Renamed No. 443 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 716 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 718 (Catapult) Flight FAA.
No. 444 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAFRNAS Lee-on-Solent15 January 1925RAF Kalafrana,
Malta
15 July 1936Renamed No. 444 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 701 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 705 (Catapult) Flight FAA.
No. 445 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAFRAF Leuchars1 September 1927RAF Mount Batten15 July 1936Renamed No. 445 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 30 August 1935. Became No. 713 (Catapult) Flight FAA.
No. 446 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAARAF Leuchars1 September 1927RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 821 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 447 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAAAboard
HMS Furious
26 April 1929RAF Kalafrana,
Malta
15 July 1936Divided to form No. 701 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 711 (Catapult) Flight FAA.
No. 448 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAAAboard
HMS Eagle
26 April 1929Aboard
HMS Glorious
3 April 1933Became 823 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 449 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAAAboard
HMS Furious
26 April 1929RAF Netheravon3 April 1933Became 822 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 450 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA ?26 April 1929RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 820 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 460 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight RAFRAF Gosport1 April 1923RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 824 Naval Air Squadron
No. 461 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight RAFRAF Gosport1 April 1923RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 812 Naval Air Squadron
No. 462 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAARAF Gosport31 May 1924RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 812 Naval Air Squadron
No. 463 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAARAF Gosport1 September 1927RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 810 Naval Air Squadron
No. 464 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAARAF Gosport1 September 1927RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 810 Naval Air Squadron
No. 465 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAARAF Gosport20 March 1931RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 811 Naval Air Squadron
No. 466 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAARAF Gosport31 March 1931RAF Gosport3 April 1933Became 811 Naval Air Squadron

Fleet Air Arm of the RAF numbered Flights

Numbered flights RAF 1940 on

A

Air Experience Flights

Air Sea Rescue Flights

Aircraft Delivery Flights

Anti-Aircraft Co-operation/Calibration Flights

B

Beam Approach Training Flights

Blind Approach Training Flights

C

Calibration Flights

Coast Defence / Co-operation Flights

  • No. 1 Coast Artillery Co-operation Flight RAF (1936-37) became No. 1 Coastal Artillery Co-operation Unit RAF [40]
  • No. 1 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940-42) became No. 101 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force [41]
  • No. 2 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940-42) became No. 102 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force [41]
  • No. 3 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940-42) became No. 103 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force [41]
  • No. 4 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940-42) became No. 104 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force [41]
  • No. 5 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940-42) became No. 105 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force [41]
  • No. 6 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940-42) became No. 106 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force [41]
  • No. 1 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939-40) [42]
  • No. 2 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939-40) [42]
  • No. 3 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939-40) [42]
  • No. 4 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939-40) [42]
  • No. 5 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939-40) [42]
  • No. 6 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1940) [42]
  • Coastal Battery Co-operation Flight RAF (1919-21) [41]
  • Coastal Battery Co-operation School Flight RAF (1919) became Coastal Battery Co-operation Flight RAF [41]
  • Coast Defence Co-operation Flight RAF (1924-33) became Coast Defence Training Flight RAF[40]
  • Coast Defence Torpedo Training Flight RAF (1928) became No. 36 Squadron RAF [41]
  • Coast Defence Training Flight RAF (1933) became No. 1 Coastal Defence Training Unit RAF [41]
  • Coastal Reconnaissance Beaufighter Flight RAF (1933-??) [42]

Communication Flights

Conversion Flights

Meteorological flights

Seaplane Training Flights

  • Seaplane Flight RAF, Basra (1928-29)[32]

Ferry flights

Specific Aircraft Type Flights

Special Flights

Special Duty/Duties

Other Special flights

  • No. 160 (Special) Flight RAF (1944-45)[71]
  • No. 1344 (Special Signals) Flight RAF (1945) [15]
  • Special Experimental Flight RAF (1918-19)[69]
  • Special Instruction Flight RAF (1920)[69]
  • Special Operations (Liberator) Flight RAF (1942-43)[69]
  • Special Performance Flight RAF, Aboukir (1942)[69]
  • Special Service Flight RAF, Northolt (1942-43)[69]
  • Special Survey Flight RAF (1939-40)[69]
  • Special Transport Flight RAF (1947-49)[69]

Miscellaneous Flights

Target Towing Flights

See also

References

Citations

  1. Lake 1999, p. 72.
  2. Lake 1999, p. 73.
  3. Lake 1999, p. 74.
  4. Lake 1999, p. 75.
  5. Lake 1999, p. 76.
  6. Lake 1999, p. 77.
  7. Lake 1999, p. 78.
  8. Lake 1999, p. 79.
  9. Lake 1999, p. 80.
  10. Lake 1999, p. 81.
  11. Lake 1999, p. 82.
  12. Lake 1999, p. 83.
  13. Lake 1999, p. 84.
  14. "Reaper Takes to the Air". General Atomics. 8 November 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
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  16. Lake 1999, p. 86.
  17. Lake 1999, p. 87.
  18. Lake 1999, p. 88.
  19. Lake 1999, p. 89.
  20. Lake 1999, p. 90.
  21. Lake 1999, p. 91.
  22. Lake 1999, p. 92.
  23. Lake 1999, p. 95.
  24. "Despite the best efforts of the weather 1563 Flt has recently achieved Initial Operating Capability in Brunei with a further 2 Puma aircraft undertaking air testing prior to being available for tasking and training". RAF Benson (Facebook). 12 October 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  25. Lake 1999, p. 96.
  26. Lake 1999, p. 97.
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  46. Gratton G.B., The Meteorological Research Flight and its predecessors and successors, J Aeronaut Hist, 2012/06, pp 83-111 https://www.aerosociety.com/media/4853/the-meteorological-research-flight-and-its-predecessors-and-successors.pdf
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Bibliography

  • Lake, A (1999). Flying units of the RAF. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO and John Hamlin. RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge Wells, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
  • Sturtivant, R C (15 February 1957), "Below Squadron Status Part I", Flight
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