No. 639 Squadron RAF

No. 639 Squadron RAF
Active 1 December 1943 – 30 April 1945
Country United Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Role anti aircraft co-operation
Part of No. 70 Group RAF, Fighter Command[1]
Base RAF Cleave
Insignia
Squadron Codes R9 (Dec 1943 – Apr 1945)[2]

No. 639 Squadron RAF was an anti aircraft co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1945.

History

The squadron was formed at RAF Cleave on 1 December 1943, from 1602 Flight, 1603 Flight, 1604 Flight and 1618 Flight[3] for anti-aircraft co-operation duties with the Hawker Henley. The main role was to provide target towing duties over Cornwall. In addition the Hawker Hurricane was used as a radar target and to fly low-level simulated attacks on troops. The squadron was disbanded on 30 April 1945.[4][5]

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated by no. 639 Squadron RAF, data from[4][5][6]
FromToAircraftVersion
December 1943April 1945Hawker HenleyMk.III
August 1944April 1945Hawker HurricaneMks.IIc, IV

Squadron bases

Bases and airfields used by no. 639 Squadron RAF, data from[4][5][6]
FromToBaseRemarks
1 December 194330 April 1945RAF Cleave, CornwallDets. at RAF Portreath, Cornwall and RAF Perranporth, Cornwall

See also

References

Notes

Bibliography

  • Delve, Ken. The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1994. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic and Andrew Thomas. Combat Codes: A full explanation and listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied air force unit codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 2003. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • 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, Wing Commander C.G., MBE,BA,RAF (Retd). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-141-2.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • 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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