No. 1453 Flight RAF
Encyclopedia
1453 Flight Royal Air Force
was first formed in 1941 as a night-fighter unit at RAF Wittering
, equipped with Douglas Turbinlite
Havoc aircraft. In the 1950s the flight was briefly resurrected as an early warning flight and during the 1980s it was employed as a ground attack and air defence unit on the Falkland Islands
.
in 1940, outstanding contracts for Douglas DB-7
& DB-7A medium bomber aircraft were appropriated by the British Purchasing Commission
. With relatively few aircraft available and the good performance of the DB-7/A, named Havoc in UK service, made them suitable for use as intruders and night-fighters.
Thirty-one of the DB-7's (Havoc I) were converted to carry the 2,700 million candela (2.7Gcd) Helmore Turbinlite
searchlight
in the nose, as well as Airborne Interception Mk.IV (A.I. Mk.IV) radar
. These aircraft were to operate in conjunction with Hawker Hurricane
nightfighters, illuminating the targets after tracking them with the radar, for the Hurricane fighters to despatch.
1453 (Turbinlite) Flight was one of the flights formed -in their case on 10 July 1941- especially to use the Turbinlite Havoc operating in conjunction with Hawker Hurricane
s of No. 151 Squadron RAF
and No. 486 Squadron RNZAF
, also housed, like 1453 Flight, at RAF Wittering
Thirty-nine DB-7A's (Havoc II) were also converted to use the Turbinlite searchlights and these also saw service with the Turbinlite flights and the squadrons formed from the flights from 2 September 1942, the flight being replaced with 532 Squadron
on 8 September 1942 (not on 2 September due to administrative reasons) and the flight officially disbanded as late as 31 January 1943.
Results of the combined operations were not spectacular, (only one confirmed kill with 31 aircraft lost), but valuable experience in the use of the A.I. (Airborne interception) radar was gained. The Helmore Turbinlite was also evaluated as an anti-submarine attack searchlight, but the Leigh Light
was found to be superior.
aircraft ( WX547
, WX499, WX500 and WX501) formed the complement of Vanguard Flight of Fighter Command at RAF Kinloss
, to research and develop tactics for use by Airborne Early Warning
aircraft.
in Yorkshire
. Despite their innocuous public role the Neptunes of 1453 Flight retained the full armament of the P2V-5 variant with nose, dorsal and tail turrets.
Details of 1453 Flight's operations are few and far between, leading to speculation that they may have been involved in highly classified reconnaissance missions over or near Eastern Bloc
countries (more info/evidence required), similar to the US Navy's Martin P4M Mercator ELINT (ELectronic INTelligence) aircraft, and the 'Ghost' North American RB-45 Tornado
's that flew with RAF crews and markings from RAF Sculthorpe
, over eastern Europe to provide radar images of potential targets for RAF and Strategic Air Command
(SAC) bombers.
Neptune flying at RAF Topcliffe continued till 1453 (Airborne Early Warning) Flight was disbanded on 30 June 1956.
, a detachment of six Harrier GR.3A's was established at Stanley airport, which became RAF Stanley, part of BFFI (British Forces Falkland islands). As the rudimentary facilities at RAF Stanley improved HarDet (Harrier Detachment) Stanley was made autonomous with the formation of 1453 (Tactical Ground Attack) Flight, operating from a MEXE pad apron by the side of the runway
at the extreme Western end. Later, semi-permanent facilities were constructed, with Portakabin
offices and RUBB hangars, during the extension and reinforcement of the runway.
The Harriers were tasked initially with mostly air defence of the Falklands Garrison. After the arrival of No. 23 Squadron RAF
, with their McDonnell-Douglas/Hawker-Siddeley F-4M Phantom
FGR.2's, 1453 flight's mission was focused more on ground attack missions, but supplying a back-up QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) in daylight hours.
Operations at RAF Stanley were challenging to say the least, with make-shift accommodation, few asphalt roads, army discipline, extreme weather, long supply lines, lack-lustre catering supplies (e.g. several weeks with nothing but spinach and beetroot for vegetables), not to mention the close proximity of unclearable minefield
s, and danger of unexploded ordnance
.
The Harriers of 1453 Flight continued flying at Stanley
until June 1985 when the new airport/airbase RAF Mount Pleasant
was opened, after which 1453 Flight disbanded and the Harriers were returned to the UK, leaving the air defence of the Falkland Islands to the Phantoms of 23 Squadron.
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...
was first formed in 1941 as a night-fighter unit 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....
, equipped with Douglas Turbinlite
Turbinlite
The Helmore/GEC Turbinlite was a 2,700 million candela searchlight fitted in the nose of a number of British Douglas Havoc night fighters during the early part of the Second World War and around the time of The Blitz....
Havoc aircraft. In the 1950s the flight was briefly resurrected as an early warning flight and during the 1980s it was employed as a ground attack and air defence unit on the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
.
1453 Flight and the Turbinlite Havocs
After the fall of FranceBattle 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...
in 1940, outstanding contracts for Douglas DB-7
Douglas DB-7
The Douglas A-20/DB-7 Havoc was a family of American attack, light bomber and night fighter aircraft of World War II, that served with several Allied air forces, principally those of the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States. The DB-7 was also used by the air forces of Australia, South...
& DB-7A medium bomber aircraft were appropriated by the British Purchasing Commission
British Purchasing Commission
The British Purchasing Commission was a United Kingdom organization of the Second World War.Also known at some time as the "Anglo-French Purchasing Board", it was based in New York City, where it arranged the production and purchase of armaments from North American manufacturers.The Board was able...
. With relatively few aircraft available and the good performance of the DB-7/A, named Havoc in UK service, made them suitable for use as intruders and night-fighters.
Thirty-one of the DB-7's (Havoc I) were converted to carry the 2,700 million candela (2.7Gcd) Helmore Turbinlite
Turbinlite
The Helmore/GEC Turbinlite was a 2,700 million candela searchlight fitted in the nose of a number of British Douglas Havoc night fighters during the early part of the Second World War and around the time of The Blitz....
searchlight
Searchlight
A searchlight is an apparatus that combines a bright light source with some form of curved reflector or other optics to project a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays in a particular direction, usually constructed so that it can be swiveled about.-Military use:The Royal Navy used...
in the nose, as well as Airborne Interception Mk.IV (A.I. Mk.IV) radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
. These aircraft were to operate in conjunction with Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
nightfighters, illuminating the targets after tracking them with the radar, for the Hurricane fighters to despatch.
1453 (Turbinlite) Flight was one of the flights formed -in their case on 10 July 1941- especially to use the Turbinlite Havoc operating in conjunction with Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
s of No. 151 Squadron RAF
No. 151 Squadron RAF
-World War I:No. 151 squadron was founded at Hainault Farm in Essex on 12 June 1918, and was equipped with Sopwith Camel aircraft.During the five months in which 151 Squadron had taken part in hostilities overseas, the total number of hours flown by night was 1443 hrs 26 mins.Sixteen enemy aircraft...
and No. 486 Squadron RNZAF
No. 486 Squadron RNZAF
486 Squadron was a fighter squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War. It was formed under Article XV of the Empire Air Training Scheme and served in Europe under the operational command of the Royal Air Force.Second World War....
, also housed, like 1453 Flight, 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....
Thirty-nine DB-7A's (Havoc II) were also converted to use the Turbinlite searchlights and these also saw service with the Turbinlite flights and the squadrons formed from the flights from 2 September 1942, the flight being replaced with 532 Squadron
No. 532 Squadron RAF
No. 532 Squadron RAF was one of the ten Turbinlite nightfighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.-History:No. 532 Squadron RAF was formed on 2 September 1942 from 1453 Flight, based at RAF Wittering. 1453 Turbinlite Flight had previously operated in conjunction with No....
on 8 September 1942 (not on 2 September due to administrative reasons) and the flight officially disbanded as late as 31 January 1943.
Results of the combined operations were not spectacular, (only one confirmed kill with 31 aircraft lost), but valuable experience in the use of the A.I. (Airborne interception) radar was gained. The Helmore Turbinlite was also evaluated as an anti-submarine attack searchlight, but the Leigh Light
Leigh light
The Leigh Light was a British World War II era anti-submarine device used in the Second Battle of the Atlantic.It was a powerful carbon arc searchlight of 24 inches diameter fitted to a number of the British Royal Air Force's Coastal Command patrol bombers to help them spot surfaced...
was found to be superior.
AEW Neptunes at RAF Kinloss
On 1 November 1952, four Lockheed Neptune MR Mk.1P-2 Neptune
The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a Maritime patrol and ASW aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and being replaced in turn with the Lockheed P-3 Orion...
aircraft ( WX547
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...
, WX499, WX500 and WX501) formed the complement of Vanguard Flight of Fighter Command at RAF Kinloss
RAF Kinloss
RAF Kinloss is a Royal Air Force station near Kinloss, on the Moray Firth in the north of Scotland. It opened on 1 April 1939 and served as an RAF training establishment during the Second World War. After the war it was handed over to Coastal Command to watch over Russian ships and submarines in...
, to research and develop tactics for use by Airborne Early Warning
Airborne Early Warning
An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack plane strikes...
aircraft.
RAF Topcliffe
Disbanded on 5 June 1953 the four Neptune aircraft of Vanguard Flight became the re-formed 1453 (Early Warning) Flight at RAF TopcliffeRAF Topcliffe
RAF Topcliffe is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire. It is a satellite station of RAF Linton-on-Ouse.Topcliffe opened in September 1940 as a bomber station in RAF Bomber Command and was home to 77 and 102 Squadrons flying the Whitley heavy bomber. There was a decoy site at Raskelf...
in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. Despite their innocuous public role the Neptunes of 1453 Flight retained the full armament of the P2V-5 variant with nose, dorsal and tail turrets.
Details of 1453 Flight's operations are few and far between, leading to speculation that they may have been involved in highly classified reconnaissance missions over or near Eastern Bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
countries (more info/evidence required), similar to the US Navy's Martin P4M Mercator ELINT (ELectronic INTelligence) aircraft, and the 'Ghost' North American RB-45 Tornado
B-45 Tornado
The North American B-45 Tornado was the United States Air Force's first operational jet bomber, and the first jet aircraft to be refueled in the air. The B-45 was an important part of the United States's nuclear deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was rapidly succeeded by the Boeing...
's that flew with RAF crews and markings from RAF Sculthorpe
RAF Sculthorpe
RAF Sculthorpe is a military training facility for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence, situated about west of Fakenham in Norfolk, England...
, over eastern Europe to provide radar images of potential targets for RAF and Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
(SAC) bombers.
Neptune flying at RAF Topcliffe continued till 1453 (Airborne Early Warning) Flight was disbanded on 30 June 1956.
RAF Stanley Falkland Islands
After the qualified success of RAF Harrier operations in the Falklands conflictFalklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, a detachment of six Harrier GR.3A's was established at Stanley airport, which became RAF Stanley, part of BFFI (British Forces Falkland islands). As the rudimentary facilities at RAF Stanley improved HarDet (Harrier Detachment) Stanley was made autonomous with the formation of 1453 (Tactical Ground Attack) Flight, operating from a MEXE pad apron by the side of the runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
at the extreme Western end. Later, semi-permanent facilities were constructed, with Portakabin
Portable building
A portable building, or demountable building , is a building designed and built to be movable rather than permanently located. A common modern design is sometimes called a modular building, but portable buildings can be different in that they are more often used temporarily and taken away later....
offices and RUBB hangars, during the extension and reinforcement of the runway.
The Harriers were tasked initially with mostly air defence of the Falklands Garrison. After the arrival of No. 23 Squadron RAF
No. 23 Squadron RAF
No. 23 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Air Force. Until October 2009, it operated the Boeing Sentry AEW1 Airborne Warning And Control System aircraft from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire.-First World War:...
, with their McDonnell-Douglas/Hawker-Siddeley F-4M Phantom
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
FGR.2's, 1453 flight's mission was focused more on ground attack missions, but supplying a back-up QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) in daylight hours.
Operations at RAF Stanley were challenging to say the least, with make-shift accommodation, few asphalt roads, army discipline, extreme weather, long supply lines, lack-lustre catering supplies (e.g. several weeks with nothing but spinach and beetroot for vegetables), not to mention the close proximity of unclearable minefield
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
s, and danger of unexploded ordnance
Unexploded ordnance
Unexploded ordnance are explosive weapons that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation, potentially many decades after they were used or discarded.While "UXO" is widely and informally used, munitions and explosives of...
.
The Harriers of 1453 Flight continued flying at Stanley
Stanley, Falkland Islands
Stanley is the capital and only true cityin the Falkland Islands. It is located on the isle of East Falkland, on a north-facing slope in one of the wettest parts of the islands. At the 2006 census, the city had a population of 2,115...
until June 1985 when the new airport/airbase RAF Mount Pleasant
RAF Mount Pleasant
RAF Mount Pleasant is a military base for the Royal Air Force in the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands. The facility is part of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands...
was opened, after which 1453 Flight disbanded and the Harriers were returned to the UK, leaving the air defence of the Falkland Islands to the Phantoms of 23 Squadron.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 July 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I (Turbinlite) |
| 10 July 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I |
| 10 July 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.II |
| 10 July 1941 | 8 September 1942 | Douglas Boston | Mk.III (Turbinlite) |
| 5 June 1953 | 30 June 1956 | Lockheed Neptune | MR.1 |
| 20 August 1983 | June 1985 | Hawker-Siddeley Harrier Hawker-Siddeley Harrier The Hawker Siddeley Harrier, known colloquially as the "Harrier Jump Jet", was developed in the 1960s and formed the first generation of the Harrier series of aircraft... |
GR.3A |
Flight bases
| From | To | Base | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 July 1941 | 8 September 1942 | 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.... , Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west... |
Det. at RAF Hibaldstow RAF Hibaldstow RAF Hibaldstow, near Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire, was built with greater things in mind, but it only became a satellite airfield for RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey in 1941. When the runways were constructed, some of the hardcore was made from material taken from demolished bungalows on the site.- History :The... , Lincolnshire Lincolnshire Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders... |
| 5 June 1953 | 30 June 1956 | RAF Topcliffe RAF Topcliffe RAF Topcliffe is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire. It is a satellite station of RAF Linton-on-Ouse.Topcliffe opened in September 1940 as a bomber station in RAF Bomber Command and was home to 77 and 102 Squadrons flying the Whitley heavy bomber. There was a decoy site at Raskelf... , Yorkshire Yorkshire Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform... |
|
| 20 August 1983 | June 1985 | RAF Stanley, Falkland Islands Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland... |
External links
- http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/collections/aircraft/lockheed-sp-2h-neptune.cfm
- http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafwittering/rafcms/mediafiles/3A91A8D7_1143_EC82_2ED2C74AA3B6E274.pdf
- http://www.harrier.org.uk/service/1453.htm
- http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/380943-biggin-hill-photos-early-1950s-1-2-3-merged.html
- http://harrier.hyperlinx.cz/FAQ-falklandwar.htm
- http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Regiments/CountyAirfields.html
- http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/HARRIER/harrier.htm
- http://www.verslo.is/baldur/p2/Britain.htm
- http://bathead.com/ShawEW.html
- http://www.p2vneptune.com/m02_72.shtml
- http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Rev2/1601-1700/rev1630-freigthdogs-72001/00.shtm
- http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Rev2/1601-1700/rev1630-freigthdogs-72001/00.shtm
- http://bathead.com/ShawEW.html
- http://www.harrier.org.uk/service/1453.htm
- http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafwittering/rafcms/mediafiles/3A91A8D7_1143_EC82_2ED2C74AA3B6E274.pdf