No. 639 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 639 Squadron RAF was an anti aircraft co-operation
squadron of the Royal Air Force
from 1943 to 1945.
on 1 December 1943, from 1602 Flight, 1603 Flight, 1604 Flight and 1618 Flight 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.
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
squadron 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...
from 1943 to 1945.
History
The squadron was formed at RAF CleaveRAF Cleave
RAF Cleave was an airbase just north of Bude in Cornwall, United Kingdom from 1939 until 1945. Despite a few periods of intense activity it was one of Fighter Command's lesser used airfields.-History:...
on 1 December 1943, from 1602 Flight, 1603 Flight, 1604 Flight and 1618 Flight for anti-aircraft co-operation duties with the Hawker Henley
Hawker Henley
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Cooper, H.J.,O.G. Thetford and C.B. Maycock. Aircraft of the Fighting Powers - Volume II. Leicester, UK: Harborough Publishing, 1942....
. The main role was to provide target towing duties over Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
. In addition the 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...
was used as a radar target and to fly low-level simulated attacks on troops. The squadron was disbanded on 30 April 1945.
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1943 | April 1945 | Hawker Henley Hawker Henley -See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Cooper, H.J.,O.G. Thetford and C.B. Maycock. Aircraft of the Fighting Powers - Volume II. Leicester, UK: Harborough Publishing, 1942.... |
Mk.III |
| August 1944 | April 1945 | 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... |
Mks.IIc, IV |
Squadron bases
| From | To | Base | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December 1943 | 30 April 1945 | RAF Cleave RAF Cleave RAF Cleave was an airbase just north of Bude in Cornwall, United Kingdom from 1939 until 1945. Despite a few periods of intense activity it was one of Fighter Command's lesser used airfields.-History:... , Cornwall Cornwall Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of... |
Dets. at RAF Portreath RRH Portreath RRH Portreath is a Remote Radar Head operated by the Royal Air Force. It is situated at Nancekuke Common on the clifftops to the north of Portreath beach and southwest of Porthtowan in Cornwall... , Cornwall and RAF Perranporth RAF Perranporth RAF Perranporth was an RAF airfield situated near Perranporth, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. The 330 acre airfield was built as an RAF Spitfire station in World War II in 1941 and is situated on Cligga cliffs in the north of Cornwall.... , Cornwall |