No. 539 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 539 Squadron RAF was one of the ten Turbinlite
nightfighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force
during the Second World War.
, Northumberland
on 2 September 1942, from No. 1460 (Turbinlite) Flight
, as part of No. 13 Group RAF
in Fighter Command
. Instead of operating only Turbinlite and -rudimentary- Airborne Intercept (AI) radar equipped aircraft (Havocs and Bostons) and working together with a normal nightfighter unit, the unit now also flew with their own Hawker Hurricane
s. It was disbanded at Acklington on 25 January 1943, when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.
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....
nightfighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force
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...
during the Second World War.
History
No. 539 Squadron was formed at RAF AcklingtonRAF Acklington
The former Royal Air Force Station Acklington, commonly known as RAF Acklington, was a Royal Air Force airfield airbase situated near Acklington, in Northumberland, England....
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
on 2 September 1942, from No. 1460 (Turbinlite) Flight
No. 1460 Flight RAF
No. 1460 Flight was formed at RAF Acklington on 15 December 1941, equipped with Turbinlite Douglas Boston and Douglas Havoc aircraft.. The flight became operational in May 1942 and made its first and only contact with the enemy in June of that year. On operations they cooperated first with the...
, as part of No. 13 Group RAF
No. 13 Group RAF
No. 13 Group was a group in the Royal Air Force for various periods in the 20th century. It is most famous for having the responsibility for defending the North of Great Britain during the Battle of Britain-World War I:...
in Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
. Instead of operating only Turbinlite and -rudimentary- Airborne Intercept (AI) radar equipped aircraft (Havocs and Bostons) and working together with a normal nightfighter unit, the unit now also flew with their own 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. It was disbanded at Acklington on 25 January 1943, when Turbinlite squadrons were, due to lack of success on their part and the rapid development of AI radar, thought to be superfluous.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.I (Turbinlite) |
| 2 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | Douglas Havoc | Mk.II (Turbinlite) |
| 2 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | Douglas Boston | Mk.III (Turbinlite) |
| 2 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | Douglas Boston | Mk.I (Nightfigter) |
| 2 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | Hawker Hurricane | Mk.IIc |
Squadron bases
| From | To | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 2 September 1942 | 25 January 1943 | RAF Acklington RAF Acklington The former Royal Air Force Station Acklington, commonly known as RAF Acklington, was a Royal Air Force airfield airbase situated near Acklington, in Northumberland, England.... , Northumberland Northumberland Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region... |