No. 1426 Flight RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 1426 Flight RAF, nicknamed "the Rafwaffe", was a Royal Air Force
flight formed during the Second World War
to evaluate captured enemy aircraft and demonstrate their characteristics to other Allied units. Several aircraft on charge with the RAE Farnborough
section were also used by this unit. The RAE facilities at Farnborough were utilized for the flight testing of German and Italian aircraft during the war.
Many crash-landed airframes were brought to Farnborough for examination, testing and cannibalisation of spare parts to keep other airframes in serviceable condition. The main flight testing work was carried out by the Aerodynamics Flight of the Experimental Flying Department and the Wireless & Electrical Flight (W&EF), the latter responsible for evaluation and examination of radar-equipped aircraft later in the war.
(AW177
) that had been in British hands for two years, a Messerschmitt Bf 109
that had been captured during the Battle of France
(AE479) and a Junkers Ju 88A-5
(HM509). The Ju 88 was a more recent British acquisition after the pilot landed at night at RAF Chivenor in the belief it was an airfield in France –the crew had made a navigational error after being deceived by a Meacon; decoy, navigational radio beacons set up by the British to mimic German ones. A General Aircraft Monospar
was also assigned to the unit for general communication tasks and collecting spare parts.
The aircraft in the unit changed throughout the war as further later marques came into the RAF's hands in various ways, including capture by Allied troops, forced or mistaken landings by German pilots, and defections. They were then passed to the Air Fighting Development Unit
(RAF Duxford 1940-1943) where they were extensively tested before passing them on to the Flight. Several aircraft were lost to crashes, or damaged and then cannibalized for spare parts. Others were shipped to America for further evaluation. The unit later moved to RAF Collyweston
.
The flight ceased operations at Collyweston on 17 January 1945.,, reforming at RAF Tangmere
on the same date, with unit codes EA, as the "Enemy Aircraft Flight" of the Central Fighter Establishment
, which finally disbanded in December 1945.
Following disbandment of No. 7 Squadron RAF
in December 1955, four crews and their aircraft were detached and sent to the Aden "troubles" to carry out patrols, as No. 1426 (Photographic Reconnaissance) Flight at RAF Khormaksar
, Aden
on 1 January 1956, and disbanded at Khormaksar on 31 December 1956, being the last time the Avro Lincoln
flew operationally as a bomber.
were flown by 1426 flight. Others were flown by the Air Fighting Development Unit
(AFDU) and the Royal Aircraft Establishment
(RAE).
displays Bf 109 E-3 AE479, Bf 109 G2 RN228 (known as 'Black 6'), Fiat CR42 BT474 and Ju 88R-1 PJ876.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
flight formed during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to evaluate captured enemy aircraft and demonstrate their characteristics to other Allied units. Several aircraft on charge with the RAE Farnborough
Royal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
section were also used by this unit. The RAE facilities at Farnborough were utilized for the flight testing of German and Italian aircraft during the war.
Many crash-landed airframes were brought to Farnborough for examination, testing and cannibalisation of spare parts to keep other airframes in serviceable condition. The main flight testing work was carried out by the Aerodynamics Flight of the Experimental Flying Department and the Wireless & Electrical Flight (W&EF), the latter responsible for evaluation and examination of radar-equipped aircraft later in the war.
History
The unit was established in November 1941 at RAF Duxford, made up of a small group of pilots who had previously been maintenance test pilots with No. 41 Group RAF. Initially, it operated a Heinkel He 111Heinkel He 111
The Heinkel He 111 was a German aircraft designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter in the early 1930s in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Often described as a "Wolf in sheep's clothing", it masqueraded as a transport aircraft, but its purpose was to provide the Luftwaffe with a fast medium...
(AW177
United Kingdom military aircraft serials
In the United Kingdom to identify individual aircraft, all military aircraft are allocated and display a unique serial number. A unified serial number system, maintained by the Air Ministry , and its successor the Ministry of Defence , is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force , Fleet...
) that had been in British hands for two years, a Messerschmitt Bf 109
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called Me 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser during the early to mid 1930s...
that had been captured during the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
(AE479) and a Junkers Ju 88A-5
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...
(HM509). The Ju 88 was a more recent British acquisition after the pilot landed at night at RAF Chivenor in the belief it was an airfield in France –the crew had made a navigational error after being deceived by a Meacon; decoy, navigational radio beacons set up by the British to mimic German ones. A General Aircraft Monospar
General Aircraft Monospar
-Bibliography:*The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft . Orbis Publishing, 1985, p. 2158.*Jackson, A.J. 1973. British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 2. Putnam ISBN 0370100107....
was also assigned to the unit for general communication tasks and collecting spare parts.
Air Fighting Development Unit
The Air Fighting Development Unit was an air technical intelligence part of the Royal Air Force which developed operational tactics and tested captured enemy aircraft. It was based at Royal Air Force Stations at Northolt, Duxford and Wittering....
(RAF Duxford 1940-1943) where they were extensively tested before passing them on to the Flight. Several aircraft were lost to crashes, or damaged and then cannibalized for spare parts. Others were shipped to America for further evaluation. The unit later moved to RAF Collyweston
RAF Collyweston
RAF Collyweston was a satellite station of RAF Wittering used by Enemy Aircraft Flight during World War II.-History:Founded in 1917 as Easton on the Hill, becoming the home of No. 5 Training Depot. Re-named RAF Collyweston following formation of the Royal Air Force, via merger of the RFC and RNAS...
.
The flight ceased operations at Collyweston on 17 January 1945.,, reforming at RAF Tangmere
RAF Tangmere
RAF Tangmere was a Royal Air Force station famous for its role in the Battle of Britain, located at Tangmere village about 3 miles east of Chichester in West Sussex, England. American RAF pilot Billy Fiske died at Tangmere and was the first American aviator to die during World War II...
on the same date, with unit codes EA, as the "Enemy Aircraft Flight" of the Central Fighter Establishment
Central Fighter Establishment
The Central Fighter Establishment was a Royal Air Force formation that dealt with the development Fighter aircraft tactics. It also tested new fighter aircraft and equipment. It also dealt with the training of squadron and flight commanders. It was formed on 1 October 1944 as part of No. 12 Group...
, which finally disbanded in December 1945.
Following disbandment of No. 7 Squadron RAF
No. 7 Squadron RAF
No. 7 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Boeing Chinook HC.2 from RAF Odiham, Hampshire.-Formation and early years:No. 7 Squadron was formed at Farnborough Airfield on 1 May 1914 as the last squadron of the RFC to be formed before the First World War, but has been disbanded and reformed...
in December 1955, four crews and their aircraft were detached and sent to the Aden "troubles" to carry out patrols, as No. 1426 (Photographic Reconnaissance) Flight at RAF Khormaksar
RAF Khormaksar
RAF Khormaksar was a Royal Air Force station in Aden. Its motto was "Into the Remote Places". During the 1960s, it was the base for nine squadrons and became the RAF's busiest-ever station. It later became Aden International Airport.-History:...
, Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
on 1 January 1956, and disbanded at Khormaksar on 31 December 1956, being the last time the Avro Lincoln
Avro Lincoln
The Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...
flew operationally as a bomber.
Axis Aircraft
Note this list may be incomplete, and that not all Axis aircraft captured and allocated RAF serial numbersUnited Kingdom military aircraft serials
In the United Kingdom to identify individual aircraft, all military aircraft are allocated and display a unique serial number. A unified serial number system, maintained by the Air Ministry , and its successor the Ministry of Defence , is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force , Fleet...
were flown by 1426 flight. Others were flown by the Air Fighting Development Unit
Air Fighting Development Unit
The Air Fighting Development Unit was an air technical intelligence part of the Royal Air Force which developed operational tactics and tested captured enemy aircraft. It was based at Royal Air Force Stations at Northolt, Duxford and Wittering....
(AFDU) and the Royal Aircraft Establishment
Royal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
(RAE).
Messerschmitt Bf 109
| Model | Werk Nr. | German call-sign | RAF Serial United Kingdom military aircraft serials In the United Kingdom to identify individual aircraft, all military aircraft are allocated and display a unique serial number. A unified serial number system, maintained by the Air Ministry , and its successor the Ministry of Defence , is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force , Fleet... |
Circumstances of acquisition | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-3 | 1304 | White 1 | AE479 | Aircraft of 1./JG 76 flown by Fw. Feldwebel Feldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages. The word Feldwebel is usually translated as sergeant being rated OR-6 in the NATO rank comparison scale, equivalent to the British Army Sergeant and the US Army... Karl Hier, captured by the French near Wœrth Wœrth Wœrth or Woerth is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It lies north of Strasbourg. Wœrth is known for the Battle of Wœrth, in the initial stage of the Franco-Prussian War in August 1870.-References:*... , 22 November 1939; handed over to the RAF 2 May 1940. |
Sent to the US in April 42; crashed at Wright Field Wright Field Wright Field was an airfield of the United States Army Air Corps and Air Forces near Riverside, Ohio. From 1927 to 1947 it was the research and development center for the Air Corps, and during World War II a flight test center.... 3 November 42 |
| E-4/B | 4101 | 'Black 12' | DG200 | Damaged by a Spitfire of 66 Squadron No. 66 Squadron RAF No. 66 Squadron was a Royal Flying Corps and eventually Royal Air Force aircraft squadron.-In World War I:It was first formed at Filton on 30 June 1916 as a Training Squadron equipped with BE2c,d & e, BE12 and Avroe 504A machines. The squadron received its first Sopwith Pup on 3 February 1917,... ; belly–landed at RAF Manston RAF Manston RAF Manston was an RAF station in the north-east of Kent, at on the Isle of Thanet from 1916 until 1996. The site is now split between a commercial airport Kent International Airport and a continuing military use by the Defence Fire Training and Development Centre , following on from a long... , pilot Wolfgang Teumer (of JG 51) taken prisoner, 27 November 1940. |
Repaired using parts of other aircraft and tested by Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Limited Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904.... . In February 1942 passed to Research and Development at Hatfield Hatfield Aerodrome Hatfield Aerodrome, formerly , was an airfield and aircraft factory located in the town of Hatfield, Hertfordshire from 1930 until its closure and redevelopment in the 1990s.-Early history:... for propeller tests then to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment was a research facility for British military aviation from 1918 to 1992.-History:... (A&AEE) at Boscombe Down before in March 1942 to No. 1426 Flight. Put into storage in 1943 before moving to St Athan in 1969 for refurbishment for the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon in 1976, where it is on display in the Battle of Britain Hall.Survives in the RAF Museum |
| F–2 | 12764 | << + | ES906 | Originally of I./JG 26, flown by gruppenkommandeur Hpt. Rolf Pingel Rolf Pingel Rolf Pingel was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.Pingel was born 1 October 1913 in Kiel... , it was damaged by return fire while attacking Short Stirling Short Stirling The Short Stirling was the first four-engined British heavy bomber of the Second World War. The Stirling was designed and built by Short Brothers to an Air Ministry specification from 1936, and entered service in 1941... s and belly–landed near Dover Dover Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings... , 10 July 1941. |
Repaired by the RAE and evaluated by the AFDU in October 1941, crashed near Fowlmere Fowlmere Fowlmere is one of the southernmost villages in Cambridgeshire, England. It is very close to the Imperial War Museum Duxford, and 9 miles southwest of the city of Cambridge.- History :... 20 October 1941. |
| F–4/B | 7232 | White 11 | NN644 | Originally of 10(Jabo)/JG 26, was damaged by anti-aircraft fire during an attack on a Royal Navy corvette and belly–landed at Beachy Head Beachy Head Beachy Head is a chalk headland on the south coast of England, close to the town of Eastbourne in the county of East Sussex, immediately east of the Seven Sisters. The cliff there is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, rising to 162 m above sea level. The peak allows views of the south... , 20 May 1942 |
Flown until the end of the war. |
| G-2/Trop | 10639 | Black 6 | RN288 | Formerly of 8./JG 27; found abandoned and in a damaged condition by No. 3 Squadron RAAF No. 3 Squadron RAAF No. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force fighter squadron. It was first formed in 1916 and currently operates F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales.-World War I:... , at an airfield near Tobruk Tobruk Tobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 .... , Libya in November 1942. |
Repaired by 3 Sqn using parts from other aircraft. Repainted in a Desert Air Force Desert Air Force The Desert Air Force , also known chronologically as Air Headquarters Western Desert, Air Headquarters Libya, AHQ Western Desert, the Western Desert Air Force, Desert Air Force, and the First Tactical Air Force , was an Allied tactical air force initially created from No... scheme, given the squadron code "CV-V" and evaluated in North Africa. Transferred to 1426 Flight in late 1943. Preserved in the RAF Museum |
| G-6/U2 | 412951 | White 16 | TP814 | Lt. Horst Prenzel, Staffelkapitan 1./JG 301, landed at RAF Manston RAF Manston RAF Manston was an RAF station in the north-east of Kent, at on the Isle of Thanet from 1916 until 1996. The site is now split between a commercial airport Kent International Airport and a continuing military use by the Defence Fire Training and Development Centre , following on from a long... by mistake after a Wilde Sau Wilde Sau Wilde Sau was the term given by the Luftwaffe, during World War II, to the technique by which British night bombers were mainly engaged by single-seat fighter planes.- Origins :... sortie over the invasion area against night-bombers on 21 July 1944. Another Bf 109 also attempted to land, but crashed |
Written–off in a take-off accident at RAF Wittering RAF Wittering RAF Wittering is a Royal Air Force station within the unitary authority area of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Although Stamford in Lincolnshire is the nearest town, the runways of RAF Wittering cross the boundary between Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.... , 23 Nov 1944 |
| G-6(trop.) | ?? | VX101 | Captured in the Middle East in 1943 | Written–off in a forced landing at Thorney Island 19 May 1944 | |
Focke Wulf Fw 190
| Model | Werk Nr. | German call-sign | RAF Serial United Kingdom military aircraft serials In the United Kingdom to identify individual aircraft, all military aircraft are allocated and display a unique serial number. A unified serial number system, maintained by the Air Ministry , and its successor the Ministry of Defence , is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force , Fleet... |
Circumstances of acquisition | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A–3 | 135313 | MP499 | Oblt. Armin Faber, Gruppe Adjutant of III./JG 2 'Richthofen' became disorientated after shooting down an RAF Spitfire over Start Point, Devon Start Point, Devon Start Point is a promontory in the South Hams district. It is one of the most southerly points in Devon, England, . It marks the southern limit of Start Bay, which extends northwards to the estuary of the River Dart.... . Attempting to return home, he accidentally flew north instead of south and landed at RAF Pembrey RAF Pembrey RAF Pembrey was a Royal Air Force station, home to 233 Operational Conversion Unit which flew de Havilland Vampires and Hawker Hunters until its closure in 1957. Site of one of only five Dome Trainer Buildings still existing in the UK... on 23 June 1942 |
Struck off charge, 18 Sept 1943 | |
| A-5/U8 | 2596 | White 6 | PN999 | Originally of I./SKG 10, flown by Uffz. Werner Ohne; landed in error at RAF Manston, 20 June 1943 | Despatched to store at 47 MU Sealand in July 1946. Aircraft pictured in image at top of article |
| A-4/U8 | 7155 | PE882 | Originally H+ of II./SKG 10,flown by Uzz. Otto Bechtolder. Disorientated en route and running short of fuel, force-landed at RAF West Malling RAF West Malling RAF West Malling was a Royal Air Force station near West Malling in Kent, England.Originally used as a landing area during the first World War, the site opened as a private landing ground and in 1930, then known as Kingshill, home to the Maidstone School of Flying, before being renamed West Malling... , 16 April 1943 |
Crashed 13 October 1944, killing F/L E.R. Lewendon, 1426 Flt. | |
| A-4/U8 | 5843 | Red 9 | PM679 | Originally of 2./SKG 10, flown by Uffz. Heinz Ehrhardt, accidentally landed at RAF Manston, Kent on 20 May 1943 | Last flight was June 1944 when shortly after take off the aircraft suffered a major engine failure and force landed. Was used for spares for PE882 and PN999. |
Junkers Ju 88
| Model | Werk Nr. | German call-sign | RAF Serial United Kingdom military aircraft serials In the United Kingdom to identify individual aircraft, all military aircraft are allocated and display a unique serial number. A unified serial number system, maintained by the Air Ministry , and its successor the Ministry of Defence , is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force , Fleet... |
Circumstances of acquisition | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-4 | 4D+DL | EE205 | Formerly of 3./KG 30, landed by mistake at RAF Lulsgate Bottom, after a night raid on Birkenhead Birkenhead Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool... on 23/24 July 1941. |
||
| A-5 | 6073 | M2+MK | HM509 | Originally of KuFlGr.106, accidentally landed at RAF Chivenor, 26 Nov 1941 | Damaged by a ground loop Ground loop (aviation) In aviation, a ground loop is a rapid rotation of a fixed-wing aircraft in the horizontal plane while on the ground. Aerodynamic forces may cause the advancing wing to rise, which may then cause the other wingtip to touch the ground... on landing, 19 May 1944; although repairable, cannibalised for spare parts instead |
| G-1 | 712273 | 4R+UR | TP190 | Night-fighter of III./NJG 2 flown by Obgfr. Maekle and equipped with FuG 220 'Lichtenstein' SN-2 radar Lichtenstein radar Lichtenstein radar was a German airborne radar in use during World War II. It was available in at least four major revisions, the FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C, FuG 212 Lichtenstein C-1, FuG 220 Lichtenstein SN-2 and FuG 228 Lichtenstein SN-3.- FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C :Early FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C... and homing devices FuG 227 'Flensburg Flensburg radar detector The FuG 227 Flensburg was a German passive radar receiver developed by Siemens AG and introduced into service in Spring 1944. It used wing-mounted dipole antennae and was sensitive to frequencies of 170-220 MHz... ' and FuG 350 'Naxos' Naxos radar detector The FuG 350 Naxos radar warning receiver was a World War II German countermeasure to SHF band centimetric wavelength radar produced by a cavity magnetron... . Landed in error at RAF Woodbridge RAF Woodbridge Royal Air Force Station Woodbridge, more commonly referred to as RAF Woodbridge, is a former Royal Air Force military airbase situated to the east of Woodbridge in the county of Suffolk, England... , Suffolk on 13 July 44 |
Scrapped, Oct 45 |
| R-1 | 360043 | D5+EV | PJ876 | Lichtenstein BC radar-equipped night-fighter Junkers Ju-88 of 10./NJG 3 flown to RAF Dyce, Scotland by defecting crew, 9 May 1943 | Preserved in the RAF Museum |
| S-1 | 140604 | RF+MT | TS472 | Captured at Vélizy-Villacoublay Vélizy-Villacoublay Vélizy-Villacoublay is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the south-western suburbs of Paris from the center and east of Versailles... , near Paris, Sept. 1944 |
Aircraft pictured in image at top of article |
Other types
| Type | Model | Werk Nr. | German call-sign | RAF Serial United Kingdom military aircraft serials In the United Kingdom to identify individual aircraft, all military aircraft are allocated and display a unique serial number. A unified serial number system, maintained by the Air Ministry , and its successor the Ministry of Defence , is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force , Fleet... |
Circumstances of acquisition | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bf 110 Messerschmitt Bf 110 The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Hermann Göring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten... |
C–4 | 2177 | 5F-CM | AX772 | Originally of 4.(F)/14 intercepted by RAF fighters while on a reconnaissance mission on 21 July 1940. Forced down near Goodwood Racecourse Goodwood Racecourse Goodwood Racecourse is a horse-racing track five miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, in England controlled by the family of the Duke of Richmond, whose seat is nearby Goodwood House... , Sussex. |
Royal Aircraft Establishment repaired this aircraft and after handling trials, was flown to the Air Fighting Development Unit Air Fighting Development Unit The Air Fighting Development Unit was an air technical intelligence part of the Royal Air Force which developed operational tactics and tested captured enemy aircraft. It was based at Royal Air Force Stations at Northolt, Duxford and Wittering.... at Duxford in October 1941. In March 1942 AX772 was transferred to No. 1426 Flight until moving to the Enemy Aircraft Flight of the Central Flying School at Tangmere Tangmere Tangmere is a village and civil parish in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England. Located three miles north east of Chichester it is twinned with Hermanville-sur-Mer in Lower Normandy, France.... in January 1945. It was stored at No. 47 Maintenance Unit (MU) Sealand in November 1945. Scrapped in 1947. Aircraft pictured in image above |
| Fiat CR42 Falco Fiat CR.42 The Fiat CR.42 Falco was a single-seat sesquiplane fighter which served primarily in Italy's Regia Aeronautica before and during World War II. The aircraft was produced by the Turin firm, and entered service, in smaller numbers, with the air forces of Belgium, Sweden and Hungary... |
MM5701 | 13-95 | BT474 | Made a forced–landing on the beach at Orford Ness Orford Ness Orford Ness is a cuspate foreland shingle spit on the Suffolk coast in Great Britain, linked to the mainland at Aldeburgh and stretching along the coast to Orford and down to North Wier Point, opposite Shingle Street. It is divided from the mainland by the River Alde, and was formed by longshore... due to engine failure, 11 Nov 40 |
Preserved in the RAF Museum | |
| He 111 Heinkel He 111 The Heinkel He 111 was a German aircraft designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter in the early 1930s in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Often described as a "Wolf in sheep's clothing", it masqueraded as a transport aircraft, but its purpose was to provide the Luftwaffe with a fast medium... |
H-1 | 6853 | 1H+EN | AW177 | Originally of II./KG 26. | Crashed at RAF Polebrook RAF Polebrook RAF Polebrook is a former World War II airfield located 3.5 miles east-south-east of Oundle, at Polebrook, Northamptonshire, UK. The airfield was built on Rothschild estate land starting in August 1940.... on 10 November 1943 while carrying a number of 1426 Flight ground crew as passengers. The pilot, F/O Barr, and six others were killed, four were injured. |
| Hs 129 Henschel Hs 129 The Henschel Hs 129 was a World War II ground-attack aircraft fielded by the German Luftwaffe. Its nickname, the Panzerknacker , is a deliberate pun—in German, it also means "safe cracker"... |
B-1 | 0297 | NF756 | Of I./SG 2.Captured in North Africa. | Received by 1426 Flight in a dismantled state 7 July 43. Struck off charge, August 1947. | |
| Me 410 Messerschmitt Me 410 The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse was a German heavy fighter and Schnellbomber used by Luftwaffe during World War II. Though essentially a straightforward modification of the Me 210, it was designated the Me 410 to avoid association with its notoriously flawed predecessor.-Design and... |
A–3 | 10259 | F6+OK | TF209 | This aircraft was formerly of 2(F)/122, which landed intact and was captured at Monte Corvino, Italy; crew had became lost during a photo–reconassance mission in the Naples area. | Flown until 1946 |
Support Aircraft
Support Aircraft operated by no. 1426 Flight RAF, data from| Aircraft | Serial number |
|---|---|
| Avro Anson Avro Anson The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was... Mk.I |
N9882 |
| Airspeed Oxford Airspeed Oxford The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine aircraft used for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery during the Second World War.-Design and development:... Mk.II |
V3781 |
| General Aircraft Monospar General Aircraft Monospar -Bibliography:*The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft . Orbis Publishing, 1985, p. 2158.*Jackson, A.J. 1973. British Civil Aircraft since 1919, Volume 2. Putnam ISBN 0370100107.... ST-25 |
K8308 |
Survivors
Four of the aircraft operated by the flight still survive. The RAF MuseumRAF Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum London, commonly known as the RAF Museum, is a museum located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, dedicated to the history of aviation and the British Royal Air Force. The museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and a registered charity...
displays Bf 109 E-3 AE479, Bf 109 G2 RN228 (known as 'Black 6'), Fiat CR42 BT474 and Ju 88R-1 PJ876.
See also
- Kampfgeschwader 200
- Zirkus RosariusZirkus RosariusZirkus Rosarius was an Erprobungskommando-style special test unit of the Luftwaffe, specifically of the Luftwaffe High Command, tasked with testing captured British and American aircraft, all of which were repainted in German markings...
, the Luftwaffe unit that test-flew captured Allied aircraft. - Allied Technical Air Intelligence UnitAllied Technical Air Intelligence UnitThe Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit was a joint group of the United States Navy, United States Army Air Forces, Royal Australian Air Force, and Royal Navy formed in November 1942 to recover Japanese aircraft to obtain intelligence on their technical and tactical capabilities...
, the Allied unit that evaluated Japanese aircraft - Eric "Winkle" Brown, from the Fleet Air ArmFleet Air ArmThe Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
of the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, the Commander of No. 1426 Flight, who flew most of the aircraft captured, and who holds the world record for having flown the most number of distinct aircraft types.