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
Active1 December 1943 – 30 April 1945
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Roleanti aircraft co-operation
Part ofNo. 70 Group RAF, RAF Fighter Command[1]
StationRAF Cleave
Insignia
Squadron CodesR9 (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
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
  1. Delve 1994, p. 72.
  2. Flintham & Thomas 2003, p. 104.
  3. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 128.
  4. Rawlings 1982, p. 258.
  5. Halley 1988, p. 443.
  6. Jefford 2001, p. 102.

Bibliography
  • Delve, Ken (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Flintham, Vic; Thomas, Andrew (2003). Combat Codes: A Full Explanation and Listing of British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Unit Codes since 1938. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84037-281-8.
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Rawlings, John D.R. (1982). Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
  • Sturtivant, Ray, ISO; Hamlin, John (2007). RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-365-X.
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