List of Royal Air Force aircraft independent flights

This is a list of Royal Air Force independent Flights. An independent Flight is a military administrative structure which is used to command flying units where the number of aircraft is not large enough to warrant a fully fledged squadron.

RAF Coastal based numbered Flights 1918–1929

Royal Air Force Numbered Flights 1923–36

later Fleet Air Arm of the RAF numbered Flights.

Fleet Air Arm of the RAF numbered Flights

• No. 701 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 701 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 702 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 702 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 705 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 705 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 711 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 711 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 712 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 712 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 713 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 713 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)

• No. 714 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 714 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 715 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 715 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 716 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 716 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 718 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 718 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)
• No. 720 (Catapult) Flight FAA (became 720 Naval Air Squadron) (1936–39)

Numbered flights RAF 1940 on

A

Air Experience Flights

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• 1 Air Experience Flight (1958–95)
• 2 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 3 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 4 Air Experience Flight (1958–95 & 1997–)
• 5 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 6 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 7 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 8 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 9 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 10 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 11 Air Experience Flight (1958–)
• 12 Air Experience Flight (1958–96)
• 13 Air Experience Flight (1958–96)

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Air Observation Post Flights

Air Sea Rescue Flights

Aircraft Delivery Flights

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• 1 Aircraft Delivery Flight (1941–45)
• 2 Aircraft Delivery Flight (1941–44)
• 3 Aircraft Delivery Flight (1941–44)
• 4 Aircraft Delivery Flight (1941–45)

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Anti-Aircraft Co-operation/Calibration Flights

B

Beam Approach Training Flights

• Beam Approach Calibration Flight RAF (to Blind Approach Calibration Flight) (1941–42)
• Beam Approach Training Flight RAF, Church Lawford (1942)
• Beam Approach Training Flight RAF, Nanyuki (194?-42)

Blind Approach Training Flights

• Blind Approach Calibration Flight RAF (from Beam Approach Calibration Flight) (1941)

C

Calibration Flights

Coast Defence / Co-operation Flights

• No. 1 Coast Artillery Co-operation Flight RAF (1936–37) became No. 1 Coastal Artillery Co-operation Unit RAF
• No. 1 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940–42) became No. 101 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force
• No. 2 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940–42) became No. 102 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force
• No. 3 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940–42) became No. 103 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force
• No. 4 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940–42) became No. 104 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force
• No. 5 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940–42) became No. 105 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force
• No. 6 Coast Defence Flight, Indian Air Force Volunteer Reserve (1940–42) became No. 106 (Coast Defence) Flight, Indian Air Force
• No. 1 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939–40)
• No. 2 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939–40)
• No. 3 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939–40)
• No. 4 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939–40)
• No. 5 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1939–40)
• No. 6 Coastal Patrol Flight RAF (1940)
• Coastal Battery Co-operation Flight RAF (1919–21)
• Coastal Battery Co-operation School Flight RAF (1919) became Coastal Battery Co-operation Flight RAF
• Coast Defence Co-operation Flight RAF (1924–33) became Coast Defence Training Flight RAF
• Coast Defence Torpedo Training Flight RAF (1928) became No. 36 Squadron RAF
• Coast Defence Training Flight RAF (1933) became No. 1 Coastal Defence Training Unit RAF
• Coastal Reconnaissance Beaufighter Flight RAF (1933-??)

Communication Flights

Conversion Flights

Meteorological flights

• No. 1 Meteorological Flight RAF (1943) became No. 1300 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 2 Meteorological Flight RAF (1943) became No. 1301 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 3 Meteorological Flight RAF (1943) became No. 1302 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 4 Meteorological Flight RAF (1943) became No. 1303 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 401 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941) became No. 1401 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 402 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941) became No. 1402 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 403 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1940–41) became No. 1403 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 404 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1940–41) became No. 1404 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 405 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941) became No. 1405 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• No. 1300 (Meteorological Reconnaissance) Flight RAF (1946–47) became No. 18 Squadron RAF
• No. 1300 (Meteorological THUM) Flight RAF (19??-46) became No. 1300 (Meteorological Reconnaissance) Flight RAF
• No. 1300 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943-??) became No. 1300 (Meteorological THUM) Flight RAF
• No. 1301 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–46 & 1949–51)
• No. 1302 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–46)
• No. 1303 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–46)
• No. 1361 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1946)
• No. 1362 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1946 & 1955–58)
• No. 1363 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1946)
• No. 1364 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1946)
• No. 1401 (Meteorological) Flight RAF – combined with 1403 to form 521 Squadron in 1942. Reformed in 1943. (1941–42 & 1943–46)
• No. 1402 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941–45 & 1946–46)
• No. 1403 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941–42 & 1943) became No. 520 Squadron RAF
• No. 1404 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941–43) became No. 517 Squadron RAF
• No. 1405 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941–42)
• No. 1406 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941–43) became No. 519 Squadron RAF
• No. 1407 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941–44) became No. 521 Squadron RAF
• No. 1408 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941–42)
• No. 1409 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–45) became No. 1409 (Long Range Meteorological Reconnaissance) Flight RAF
• No. 1411 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1942–43)
• No. 1412 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1942–46)
• No. 1413 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1942–46)
• No. 1414 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1941–46)
• No. 1415 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1942–46)
• No. 1560 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1942–45)
• No. 1561 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–45 & 1945–46)
• No. 1562 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–45 & 1945–46)
• No. 1563 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1942–46)
• No. 1564 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–46)
• No. 1565 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–46)
• No. 1566 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–46)
• No. 1567 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1943–46)
• No. 1568 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1944–46)
• No. 1569 (Meteorological) Flight RAF (1944–45)
• Air Ministry Meteorological Flight Aldergrove (1936–39) became 'C' Flight, Station Flight Aldergrove
• Meteorological Flight RAF, Heliopolis (1941–42) became No. 1411 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• Meteorological Flight RAF, Khartoum (1941–42) became No. 1412 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• Meteorological Flight RAF, Ramleh (1941–42) became No. 1413 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• Meteorological Research Flight RAF (1946–2001)
• Royal Air Force Meteorological Flight Eastchurch, Duxford and Mildenhall (1924–41) became No. 401 (Meteorological) Flight RAF
• Temperature and Humidity Flight RAF (1951–58)
• Transport Command Meteorological Flight RAF (19??)

Seaplane Training Flights

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• 'A' Boat Seaplane Training Flight
• 'B' Boat Seaplane Training Flight
• 'C' Boat Seaplane Training Flight
• 'D' Boat Seaplane Training Flight
• 'E' Boat Seaplane Training Flight
• 'F' Boat Seaplane Training Flight
• 'G' Boat Seaplane Training Flight
• Seaplane Flight RAF, Basra (1928–29)

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Ferry flights

Specific Aircraft Type Flights

Special Flights

Special Duty/Duties

Other Special flights

Miscellaneous Flights

Target Towing Flights

• No. 1 RAF Regiment Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp Target Towing Flight (1943) became No. 1625 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 2 RAF Regiment Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp Target Towing Flight (1943) became No. 1626 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 3 RAF Regiment Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp Target Towing Flight (1943) became No. 1627 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 4 RAF Regiment Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp Target Towing Flight (1943) became No. 1628 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 5 RAF Regiment Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp Target Towing Flight (1943) became No. 1629 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 6 RAF Regiment Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp Target Towing Flight (1943) became No. 1630 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 7 RAF Regiment Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp Target Towing Flight (1943) became No. 1631 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 8 RAF Regiment Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp Target Towing Flight (1943) became No. 1632 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 1 RAF Regiment School Target Towing Flight (1942–43) became No. 1634 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 3 RAF Regiment School Target Towing Flight (1942–43) became No. 1634 (Anti-Aircraft Co-operation) Flight RAF
• No. 1 Target Towing Flight RAF (19??-42) became Air Defence Co-operation Unit RAF
• No. 1 Target Towing Flight (India) RAF (1947)
• No. 2 Target Towing Flight (India) RAF (1947)
• Target Towing Flight RAF, Nicosia (19??-50) became Middle East Air Force Target Towing Unit RAF
• Target Towing Flight RAF, Shallufa RAF (1953–54) became Middle East Air Force Target Towing Unit RAF
• No. 1 Towed Target Flight RAF (1939–42) became Air Defence Co-operation Unit RAF
• Base and Target Towing Flight, Royal Air Force Maintenance Base (Far East), Seletar RAF (1953-??)
• Middle East Air Force Target Towing Flight RAF (1952–56)
• Station and Target Towing Flight RAF, Seletar (1951–53) became Base and Target Towing Flight, Royal Air Force Maintenance Base (Far East), Seletar RAF
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Bentwaters (1945)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Changi (1962–64) became No. 1574 (Target Facilities) Flight RAF
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Gibraltar (1953–58)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Helwan (1940)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Ismailia (1935)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Khartoum (1935)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, St. Eval (1953–55)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Schleswigland (1953–58)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Seletar (1951)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Sutton Bridge (1940)
• Towed Target Flight RAF, Tangmere (1950–51)

See also

Royal Air Force

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
• List of Royal Air Force aircraft independent flights
• List of conversion units of the Royal Air Force
• List of Royal Air Force Glider units
• List of Royal Air Force Operational Training Units
• List of Royal Air Force schools
• List of Royal Air Force units & establishments
• List of RAF squadron codes
• List of RAF Regiment units
• List of Battle of Britain squadrons
• List of wings of the Royal Air Force
• Royal Air Force roundels

Army Air Corps

• List of Army Air Corps aircraft units

Fleet Air Arm

• List of Fleet Air Arm aircraft squadrons
• List of aircraft wings of the Royal Navy
• List of Fleet Air Arm groups
• List of aircraft units of the Royal Navy

Others

• List of Air Training Corps squadrons
• University Air Squadron
• Air Experience Flight
• Volunteer Gliding Squadron
• United Kingdom military aircraft registration number
• United Kingdom aircraft test serials
• British military aircraft designation systems

References

Citations

Bibliography