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.

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Flight !! Formed at !! Formed on !! Disbanded at !! Disbanded on !! Notes

|-

| No. 401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 1 April 1923 || RAF Netheravon || 3 April 1933 || Renamed No. 401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 801 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 402 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 1 April 1923 || RAF Netheravon || 3 April 1933 || Renamed No. 402 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 800 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 403 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 1 April 1923 || RAF Kai Tak,<BR>Hong Kong || 15 July 1936 || Renamed No. 403 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 715 (Catapult) Flight FAA

|-

| No. 404 (Fleet Fighter) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 1 July 1923 || RAF Netheravon || 3 April 1933 || Renamed No. 404 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 800 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 405 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA || RAF Leuchars || 31 May 1924 || RAF Netheravon || 3 April 1933 || Became 803 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 406 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA || RAF Leuchars || 31 May 1924 || RAF Seletar,<BR>Malaya || 15 July 1936 || Became No. 714 (Catapult) Fight FAA

|-

| No. 407 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA || RNAS Donibristle || 1 September 1927 || RAF Mount Batten || 15 July 1936 || Became No. 712 (Catapult) Flight FAA

|-

| No. 408 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA || RNAS Donibristle || 30 March 1929 || Aboard<BR> || 3 April 1933 || Became 802 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 409 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA || RAF Gosport || 7 October 1932 || Aboard<BR> || 3 April 1933 || Became 802 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 420 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF || RAF Gosport || 1 April 1923 || Aboard<BR> || 26 April 1929 || Renamed No. 420 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 449 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.

|-

| No. 421 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF ||RAF Gosport || 1 April 1923 || Aboard<BR> || 26 April 1929 || Renamed No. 421 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 447 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.

|-

| No. 422 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF || RAF Gosport || 1 April 1923 || Aboard<BR> || 26 April 1929 || Renamed No. 422 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 450 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.

|-

| No. 423 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF ||RAF Gosport || 21 November 1923 || Aboard<BR> || 26 April 1929 || Renamed No. 423 (Fleet Spotter) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 448 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA.

|-

| No. 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 1 May 1923 || RAF Kai Tak,<BR>Hong Kong || 11 June 1933 || Renamed No. 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Absorbed by 824 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 441 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 1 April 1923 || Aboard<BR> || 3 April 1933 || Renamed No. 441 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 823 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 442 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 1 April 1923 || RAF Netheravon || 3 April 1933 || Renamed No. 442 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became 822 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 443 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 21 May 1923 || RAF Mount Batten || 15 July 1936 || Renamed No. 443 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 716 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 718 (Catapult) Flight FAA.

|-

| No. 444 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF || RNAS Lee-on-Solent || 15 January 1925 || RAF Kalafrana,<BR>Malta || 15 July 1936 || Renamed No. 444 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 1 April 1924. Became No. 701 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 705 (Catapult) Flight FAA.

|-

| No. 445 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight RAF || RAF Leuchars || 1 September 1927 || RAF Mount Batten || 15 July 1936 || Renamed No. 445 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA from 30 August 1935. Became No. 713 (Catapult) Flight FAA.

|-

| No. 446 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight FAA || RAF Leuchars || 1 September 1927 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 821 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 447 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA || Aboard<BR> || 26 April 1929 || RAF Kalafrana,<BR>Malta || 15 July 1936 || Divided to form No. 701 (Catapult) Flight FAA and No. 711 (Catapult) Flight FAA.

|-

| No. 448 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA || Aboard<BR> || 26 April 1929 || Aboard<BR> || 3 April 1933 || Became 823 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 449 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA || Aboard<BR> || 26 April 1929 || RAF Netheravon || 3 April 1933 || Became 822 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 450 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA || ? || 26 April 1929 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 820 Naval Air Squadron.

|-

| No. 460 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight RAF || RAF Gosport || 1 April 1923 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 824 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 461 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight RAF ||RAF Gosport || 1 April 1923 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 812 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 462 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA || RAF Gosport || 31 May 1924 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 812 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 463 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA || RAF Gosport || 1 September 1927 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 810 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 464 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA || RAF Gosport || 1 September 1927 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 810 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 465 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA || RAF Gosport || 20 March 1931 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 811 Naval Air Squadron

|-

| No. 466 (Fleet Torpedo) Flight FAA || RAF Gosport || 31 March 1931 || RAF Gosport || 3 April 1933 || Became 811 Naval Air Squadron

|}

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

<div style=column-width:18em>

  • 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)

</div>

Air Observation Post Flights

Air Sea Rescue Flights

Aircraft Delivery Flights

<div style=column-width:18em>

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

</div>

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

<div style=column-width:18em>

  • '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)

</div>

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