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.Lake 1999, p. 89.Sturtivant and Hamlin 2007, p. 123.
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. Flying continued for six months until the Flight was dis-banded on 20 November 1957.
Aircraft operated +Aircraft operated by no. 1439 Flight RAF, data from 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 +Bases and airfields used by no. 1439 Flight RAF, data from 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
References Notes
Bibliography
Lake, Alan. Flying Units of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1999. . Sturtivant, Ray, ISO and John Hamlin. RAF Flying Training And Support Units since 1912. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. .