No. 1459 (Fighter) Flight was formed at RAF Hunsdon, Hertfordshire on 20 September 1941, equipped with Turbinlite Douglas Boston and Douglas Havoc aircraft.^[2] By 21 September 1941 the flight moved to RAF Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire.^[3] On operations they cooperated with the Hawker Hurricanes of 253 Squadron.^[4]

1459 Flight was perhaps the most successful unit of its kind: after becoming operational in March 1942 they made their first target illumination was on 28 April 1942, but that night the satellite aircraft were not in position.^[4] Two days later Flt/Lt. C.V. Winn illuminated a He 111 which fell victim to S/Ldr. Yapp of 253 sqn.^[4][5] Three more contacts were made in May 1942, but all proved friendly.^[4] In July by now S/Ldr. C.V. Winn scored a probable Do 217 and P/O J.A. Gunn another Do 217 damaged.^[4] A further aircraft was claimed as damaged in August,^[4] giving a total of one destroyed, one probable and two damaged.

The flight was replaced with 538 Squadron on 2 September 1942^[3][6] but officially disbanded as late as 25 January 1943.^[3] 538 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,^[7] when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.^[8]

Notes

Bibliography

• Aircraft and Markings of no. 511-598 sqn, amongst them 538 sqn, the successor of 1459 flt.