List of Royal Air Force aircraft independent flights

This is a list of Royal Air Force independent Flights. An independent Flight is a military administrative structure which is used to command flying units where the number of aircraft is not large enough to warrant a fully fledged squadron.

RAF Coastal based numbered Flights 1918–1929

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(Flying Boat) Flights[1][2][3][4]

(Seaplane) Flights[4][5][6]

(Fighter) Flights[6][7]

(Light Bomber) Flights[7]

(Special Duty) Flights[7][8][9]

(Light Bomber) Flights[9][10]

(Anti-Submarine) Flights[10]

Royal Air Force Numbered Flights 1923–36

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later Fleet Air Arm of the RAF numbered Flights.[10][11]

Flight Formed at Formed on Disbanded at Disbanded on Notes
No. 401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 1 April 1923 RAF Netheravon 3 April 1933 Renamed No. 401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 801 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 402 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 1 April 1923 RAF Netheravon 3 April 1933 Renamed No. 402 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 800 Naval Air Squadron
No. 403 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 1 April 1923 RAF Kai Tak,
Hong Kong
15 July 1936 Renamed No. 403 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 715 (Catapult) Flight FAA
No. 404 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 1 July 1923 RAF Netheravon 3 April 1933 Renamed No. 404 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 800 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 405 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA RAF Leuchars 31 May 1924 RAF Netheravon 3 April 1933 Became 803 Naval Air Squadron
No. 406 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA RAF Leuchars 31 May 1924 RAF Seletar,
Malaya
15 July 1936 Became No. 714 (Catapult) Fight FAA
No. 407 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA RNAS Donibristle 1 September 1927 RAF Mount Batten 15 July 1936 Became No. 712 (Catapult) Flight FAA
No. 408 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA RNAS Donibristle 30 March 1929 Aboard
HMS Glorious
3 April 1933 Became 802 Naval Air Squadron
No. 409 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA RAF Gosport 7 October 1932 Aboard
HMS Glorious
3 April 1933 Became 802 Naval Air Squadron
No. 420 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF RAF Gosport 1 April 1923 Aboard
HMS Glorious
26 April 1929 Renamed No. 420 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 449 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.
No. 421 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF RAF Gosport 1 April 1923 Aboard
HMS Glorious
26 April 1929 Renamed No. 421 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 447 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.
No. 422 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF RAF Gosport 1 April 1923 Aboard
HMS Argus
26 April 1929 Renamed No. 422 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 450 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.
No. 423 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF RAF Gosport 21 November 1923 Aboard
HMS Eagle
26 April 1929 Renamed No. 423 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 448 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.
No. 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 1 May 1923 RAF Kai Tak,
Hong Kong
11 June 1933 Renamed No. 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Absorbed by 824 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 441 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 1 April 1923 Aboard
HMS Glorious
3 April 1933 Renamed No. 441 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 823 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 442 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 1 April 1923 RAF Netheravon 3 April 1933 Renamed No. 442 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 822 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 443 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 21 May 1923 RAF Mount Batten 15 July 1936 Renamed No. 443 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 716 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 718 (Catapult) Flight FAA.
No. 444 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF RNAS Lee-on-Solent 15 January 1925 RAF Kalafrana,
Malta
15 July 1936 Renamed No. 444 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 701 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 705 (Catapult) Flight FAA.
No. 445 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF RAF Leuchars 1 September 1927 RAF Mount Batten 15 July 1936 Renamed No. 445 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 30 August 1935. Became No. 713 (Catapult) Flight FAA.
No. 446 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA RAF Leuchars 1 September 1927 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 821 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 447 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA Aboard
HMS Furious
26 April 1929 RAF Kalafrana,
Malta
15 July 1936 Divided to form No. 701 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 711 (Catapult) Flight FAA.
No. 448 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA Aboard
HMS Eagle
26 April 1929 Aboard
HMS Glorious
3 April 1933 Became 823 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 449 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA Aboard
HMS Furious
26 April 1929 RAF Netheravon 3 April 1933 Became 822 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 450 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA ? 26 April 1929 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 820 Naval Air Squadron.
No. 460 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight RAF RAF Gosport 1 April 1923 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 824 Naval Air Squadron
No. 461 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight RAF RAF Gosport 1 April 1923 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 812 Naval Air Squadron
No. 462 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA RAF Gosport 31 May 1924 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 812 Naval Air Squadron
No. 463 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA RAF Gosport 1 September 1927 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 810 Naval Air Squadron
No. 464 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA RAF Gosport 1 September 1927 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 810 Naval Air Squadron
No. 465 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA RAF Gosport 20 March 1931 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 811 Naval Air Squadron
No. 466 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA RAF Gosport 31 March 1931 RAF Gosport 3 April 1933 Became 811 Naval Air Squadron

Fleet Air Arm of the RAF numbered Flights

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Numbered flights RAF 1940 on

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Air Experience Flights

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Air Observation Post Flights

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Air Sea Rescue Flights

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Aircraft Delivery Flights

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Anti-Aircraft Co-operation/Calibration Flights

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Beam Approach Training Flights

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Blind Approach Training Flights

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Calibration Flights

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Coast Defence / Co-operation Flights

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Communication Flights

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Conversion Flights

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Meteorological flights

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Seaplane Training Flights

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Ferry flights

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Specific Aircraft Type Flights

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Special Flights

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Special Duty/Duties

Other Special flights

Miscellaneous Flights

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Target Towing Flights

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See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Lake 1999, p. 72.
  2. ^ Lake 1999, p. 73.
  3. ^ Lake 1999, p. 74.
  4. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 75.
  5. ^ Lake 1999, p. 76.
  6. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 77.
  7. ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 78.
  8. ^ Lake 1999, p. 79.
  9. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 80.
  10. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 81.
  11. ^ Lake 1999, p. 82.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Lake 1999, p. 83.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Lake 1999, p. 84.
  14. ^ "Reaper Takes to the Air". General Atomics. 8 November 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Lake 1999, p. 85.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Lake 1999, p. 86.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Lake 1999, p. 87.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Lake 1999, p. 88.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lake 1999, p. 89.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Lake 1999, p. 90.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Lake 1999, p. 91.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 92.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Lake 1999, p. 95.
  24. ^ "Despite the best efforts of the weather 1563 Flt has recently achieved Initial Operating Capability in Brunei with a further 2 Puma aircraft undertaking air testing prior to being available for tasking and training". RAF Benson (Facebook). 12 October 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  25. ^ "Last week, on the 18th May, 230 Squadron officially re-mustered in Brunei marking its return to South East Asia". RAF Benson (Facebook). 24 May 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Lake 1999, p. 96.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Lake 1999, p. 97.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Lake 1999, p. 98.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Lake 1999, p. 99.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lake 1999, p. 15.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 130.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 131.
  33. ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 183.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Lake 1999, p. 22.
  35. ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 23.
  36. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 136.
  37. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 184.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 26.
  39. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 37.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 36.
  41. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 48.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lake 1999, p. 49.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 50.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i Lake 1999, p. 138.
  45. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 94.
  46. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 18.
  47. ^ Gratton G.B., The Meteorological Research Flight and its predecessors and successors, J Aeronaut Hist, 2012/06, pp 83-111 https://www.aerosociety.com/media/4853/the-meteorological-research-flight-and-its-predecessors-and-successors.pdf
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lake 1999, p. 176.
  49. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 281.
  50. ^ Lake 1999, p. 265.
  51. ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 9.
  52. ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 35.
  53. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 41.
  54. ^ Lake 1999, p. 56.
  55. ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 57.
  56. ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 66.
  57. ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 109.
  58. ^ a b c d e Lake 1999, p. 158.
  59. ^ Lake 1999, p. 28.
  60. ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 42.
  61. ^ Lake 1999, p. 108.
  62. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 131.
  63. ^ Lake 1999, p. 55.
  64. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 134.
  65. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 135.
  66. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 154.
  67. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 289.
  68. ^ a b c d e f Lake 1999, p. 290.
  69. ^ a b c d e f g Lake 1999, p. 187.
  70. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Lake 1999, p. 188.
  71. ^ Lake 1999, p. 246.
  72. ^ Lake 1999, p. 232.
  73. ^ Lake 1999, p. 47.
  74. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 65.
  75. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 127.
  76. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 288.
  77. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 161.
  78. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 279.
  79. ^ Lake 1999, p. 156.
  80. ^ Lake 1999, p. 11.
  81. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 14.
  82. ^ Lake 1999, p. 19.
  83. ^ Lake 1999, p. 20.
  84. ^ Lake 1999, p. 25.
  85. ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 31.
  86. ^ Lake 1999, p. 34.
  87. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 39.
  88. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 40.
  89. ^ Lake 1999, p. 51.
  90. ^ Lake 1999, p. 58.
  91. ^ Lake 1999, p. 64.
  92. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 43.
  93. ^ a b c d e f g h i Lake 1999, p. 71.
  94. ^ Lake 1999, p. 44.
  95. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 101.
  96. ^ Lake 1999, p. 117.
  97. ^ Lake 1999, p. 118.
  98. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lake 1999, p. 130.
  99. ^ Lake 1999, p. 45.
  100. ^ Lake 1999, p. 204.
  101. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 132.
  102. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 133.
  103. ^ Lake 1999, p. 137.
  104. ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 140.
  105. ^ Lake 1999, p. 142.
  106. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 153.
  107. ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 159.
  108. ^ Lake 1999, p. 171.
  109. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 173.
  110. ^ Lake 1999, p. 174.
  111. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 177.
  112. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 179.
  113. ^ a b c d Lake 1999, p. 186.
  114. ^ a b c d e f g h Lake 1999, p. 280.
  115. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lake 1999, p. 283.
  116. ^ Lake 1999, p. 46.
  117. ^ a b Lake 1999, p. 292.
  118. ^ a b c Lake 1999, p. 293.
  119. ^ Lake 1999, p. 139.
  120. ^ Lake 1999, p. 277.

Bibliography

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