No. 1459 Flight RAF
# No. 1459 Flight RAF

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

## Description

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. Two days later Flt/Lt. C.V. Winn illuminated a He 111 which fell victim to S/Ldr. Yapp of 253 sqn. Three more contacts were made in May 1942, but all proved friendly. In July by now S/Ldr. C.V. Winn scored a probable Do 217 and P/O J.A. Gunn another Do 217 damaged. A further aircraft was claimed as damaged in August, giving a total of one destroyed, one probable and two damaged.

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

## Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 1459 Flight RAF, data from :

| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
| - | - | - | - |
| 20 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I |
| 20 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I (Turbinlite) |
| 20 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.II |
| 20 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.II (Turbinlite) |
| 20 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.II (Turbinlite) |
| 20 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.III |
| 20 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.III (Turbinlite) |

## Flight bases

Bases and airfields used by no. 1459 Flight RAF, data from :

| From | To | Base |
| - | - | - |
| 20 September 1941 | 21 September 1941 | RAF Hunsdon, Hertfordshire |
| 21 September 1941 | 2 September 1942 | RAF Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire |

## Commanding officers

Officers commanding no. 1459 Flight RAF, data from :

| From | To | Name |
| - | - | - |
| 20 September 1941 | March 1942 | S/Ldr. J.B. Nicholson, VC |
| March 1942 | May 1942 | S/Ldr. V.R. Oats |
| May 1942 | 2 September 1942 | S/Ldr. C.V. Winn, DFC |
