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. 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,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,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 3 April 1933 Became 802 Naval Air Squadron No. 409 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA RAF Gosport 7 October 1932 Aboard 3 April 1933 Became 802 Naval Air Squadron No. 420 (Fleet Spotter) Flight RAF RAF Gosport 1 April 1923 Aboard 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 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 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 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,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 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,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 26 April 1929 RAF Kalafrana,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 26 April 1929 Aboard 3 April 1933 Became 823 Naval Air Squadron. No. 449 (Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight FAA Aboard 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 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)
Air Observation Post Flights
Air Sea Rescue Flights
Aircraft Delivery Flights 1 Aircraft Delivery Flight (1941–45) 2 Aircraft Delivery Flight (1941–44) 3 Aircraft Delivery Flight (1941–44) 4 Aircraft Delivery Flight (1941–45)
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)