No. 639 Squadron RAF
No. 639 Squadron RAF was an anti aircraft co-operation squadron of the Royal Air Force from 1943 to 1945.
| No. 639 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 December 1943 – 30 April 1945 |
| Country |  |
| Branch |  |
| 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] |
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
| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1943 | April 1945 | Hawker Henley | Mk.III |
| August 1944 | April 1945 | Hawker Hurricane | Mks.IIc, IV |
Squadron bases
| From | To | Base | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December 1943 | 30 April 1945 | RAF Cleave, Cornwall | Dets. at RAF Portreath, Cornwall and RAF Perranporth, Cornwall |
References
Notes
- Delve 1994, p. 72.
- Flintham and Thomas 2003, p. 104.
- Sturtivant and Hamlin 2007, p. 128.
- Rawlings 1982, p. 258.
- Halley 1988, p. 443.
- Jefford 2001, p. 102.
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, 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, 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.
External links
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