No. 1439 Flight RAF
Military unit
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There is unconfirmed evidence that a No. 1439 (Strategic Reconnaissance) Flight RAF was formed during the Western Desert Campaign ca. June 1942, flying Bristol Blenheim aircraft.[1][2]
Active? - June 1942
8 May 1957 – 20 November 1957
8 May 1957 – 20 November 1957
Garrison/HQWestern Desert (Egypt)
RAF Hemswell
RAF Christmas Island
RAF Hemswell
RAF Christmas Island
| No. 1439 Flight RAF | |
|---|---|
A Westland Whirlwind helicopter, like the ones used in the flight | |
| Active | ? - June 1942 8 May 1957 – 20 November 1957 |
| Role | Strategic Reconnaissance Transport |
| Garrison/HQ | Western Desert (Egypt) RAF Hemswell RAF Christmas Island |
| Equipment | Bristol Blenheim Vickers Varsity Avro Anson> Westland Whirlwind |
The flight was reformed as No. 1439 (Communication Support) Flight at RAF Hemswell on 8 May 1957 to support the Nuclear Weapons Task Force during the Operation Grapple nuclear weapon tests on or near Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in a remote Pacific region.[1] Flying continued for six months until the Flight was dis-banded on 20 November 1957.[1]
Aircraft operated
| From | To | Aircraft | Version | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1942 | ? | Bristol Blenheim | ||
| 1 May 1957 | 20 November 1957 | Vickers Varsity | T.1 | WL676 |
| 1 May 1957 | 20 November 1957 | Avro Anson | Mk.XIX | TX196 |
| 1 May 1957 | 20 November 1957 | Westland Whirlwind | HAR.2 | XD164 |
Flight bases
| From | To | Base |
|---|---|---|
| June 1942 | ? | Western desert |
| 1 May 1957 | 22 August 1957 | RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire |
| 22 August 1957 | ? | LRWRE Woomera, Australia |
| ? | 20 November 1957 | RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire |
