No. 1452 (Fighter) Flight was formed at RAF West Malling on 22 May 1941, equipped with Turbinlite Douglas Boston and Douglas Havoc aircraft.[2] On operations they co-operated at first with the Boulton Paul Defiants of 264 Squadron and later with the Hawker Hurricanes of 32 Squadron. The flight was replaced with 531 Squadron on 8 September 1942[3] (not on 2 September due to administrative reasons)[4] but officially disbanded as late as 22 January 1943.[3]

No. 1452 Flight RAF
An A-20 Havoc of the USAAF, like the ones used by the flight
Active7 Jul 1941 – 8 Sep 1942
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleNight Fighter (Turbinlite)
Part ofNo. 11 Group RAF, Fighter Command[1]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryNo known badge
Squadron CodesNo known identification code for the flight is known to have been carried

531 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,[5] when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.[6]

Aircraft operated

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Aircraft operated by no. 1452 Flight RAF, data from[2][3][7]
From To Aircraft Version
7 July 1941 8 September 1942 Douglas Havoc Mk.I (Turbinlite)
7 July 1941 8 September 1942 Douglas Havoc Mk.I
7 July 1941 8 September 1942 Douglas Havoc Mk.II (Turbinlite)
7 July 1941 8 September 1942 Douglas Havoc Mk.II
7 July 1941 8 September 1942 Douglas Boston Mk.II (Turbinlite)
7 July 1941 8 September 1942 Douglas Boston Mk.III (Turbinlite)

Flight bases

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Bases and airfields used by no. 1452 Flight RAF, data from[2][3][7]
From To Base
7 July 1941 8 September 1942 RAF West Malling, Kent

Commanding officers

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Officers commanding no. 1457 Flight RAF, data from[7]
From To Name
7 July 1941 April 1942 S/Ldr. J.E. Marschall, DFC
April 1942 8 September 1942 S/Ldr. G.R. Turner


References

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Notes
  1. ^ Delve 1994, p. 57.
  2. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 89.
  3. ^ a b c d Sturtivant and Hamlin 2007, p. 123.
  4. ^ Jefford 2001, p. 97.
  5. ^ Halley 1988, p. 402.
  6. ^ Rawlings 1978, p. 463.
  7. ^ a b c Rawlings 1978, p. 464.
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.
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