Product Code Database
No. 1426 (Enemy Aircraft) Flight RAF, nicknamed the Rafwaffe, was a Royal Air Force (RAF) independent aircraft flight formed during the Second World War to evaluate captured enemy aircraft and demonstrate their characteristics to other allied units. Several aircraft on charge with the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) at Farnborough were also used by this unit. The RAE facilities at Farnborough were used for the flight testing of German and Italian aircraft during the war.
Many crash-landed aircraft were brought to Farnborough for examination, testing, and cannibalisation of spare parts to keep other aircraft in serviceable condition. The main flight testing work was carried out by the Aerodynamics Flight of the Experimental Flying Department and the Wireless & Electrical Flight (W&EF), the latter responsible for evaluation and examination of radar-equipped aircraft later in the war.
The aircraft in the unit changed as later marques came into the RAF's hands in various ways; including capture by allied troops, forced or mistaken landings by German pilots, and . The flight cooperated with the RAF Film Unit, for which the usual British markings were removed and original German restored. Aircraft were then assigned to the AFDU at (RAF Duxford 1940-1943), where they were extensively tested before passing them on to the flight. Several aircraft were lost to crashes or damaged, and then cannibalised for spare parts. Others were shipped to America for further evaluation. In March 1943, the unit moved to RAF Collyweston in Northamptonshire. Beginning in early 1944, the flight made a round of U.S. Army Air Forces bases in Britain. After the invasion of Normandy, the perceived need for the flight declined.
The flight ceased operations at Collyweston on 17 January 1945, reforming at RAF Tangmere on the same date, with unit codes EA, as the 'Enemy Aircraft Flight' (EAF) of the Central Fighter Establishment (CFE), which finally disbanded 31 December 1945.Christopher, p.174.
No. 1426 (Photographic Reconnaissance) Flight
Following disbandment of No. 7 Squadron RAF in December 1955, four crews and their aircraft were detached and sent to the Aden during the 'troubles', to carry out patrols as No. 1426 (Photographic Reconnaissance) Flight (1426 (PR) Flt) at RAF Khormaksar in Aden on 1 January 1956, and disbanded at Khormaksar on 31 December 1956, being the last time the Avro Lincoln flew operationally as a bomber.
Aircraft operated, 1941–1945
Axis aircraft
This list may be incomplete, and not all axis aircraft captured and allocated RAF aircraft registrations were flown by 1426 Flight. Others were flown by the Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU) and the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE).
+Messerschmitt Bf 109
!model!! Werke nummer!!German call-sign!!RAF
reg!!circumstances of acquisition!!fateSent to the US in April 1942; crashed at Wright Field 3 November 42. Repaired using parts of other aircraft and tested by Rolls-Royce. In February 1942, passed to Research and Development at Hatfield for propeller tests, then to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Boscombe Down, before in March 1942 to No. 1426 Flight. In 1943, retired from RAF use as more recent Bf 109 models had been acquired and selected for long term preservation as a museum aircraft. It was eventually moved to the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon in 1978, where it is currently on display in the Battle of Britain Hall. Repaired by the RAE and evaluated by the AFDU in October 1941. Crashed near Fowlmere 20 October 1941 during test flight, killing Polish Air Force pilot F/O Marian J. Skalski. Flown until the end of the war. Repaired by 3 Sqn using parts from other aircraft. Repainted in a Desert Air Force scheme, given the squadron code 'CV-V' and evaluated in North Africa. Transferred to 1426 Flight in late 1943. Preserved in the RAF Museum. Written–off in a take-off accident at RAF Wittering, 23 November 1944/ Written–off in a forced landing at Thorney Island 19 May 1944. +Focke-Wulf Fw 190
!model!! Werke nummer!!German call-sign!!RAF
reg!!circumstances of acquisition!!fateStruck off charge, 18 September 1943. Despatched to store at 47 MU Sealand in July 1946. Crashed 13 October 1944, killing F/L E.R. Lewendon. Last flight was June 1944 when, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft suffered a major engine failure and force landed; was used for spares for PE882 and PN999. +Junkers Ju 88
!model!! Werke nummer!!German call-sign!!RAF
reg!!circumstances of acquisition!!fateAppeared in the 1943 film The Adventures of Tartu. Damaged by a ground loop on landing on 19 May 1944; although repairable, it was cannibalised for spare parts. Scrapped, October 1945. Preserved in the RAF Museum. +other types Royal Aircraft Establishment repaired this aircraft. After handling trials, was flown to the Air Fighting Development Unit at Duxford in Oct 1941. Transferred to No. 1426 Flight in Mar 1942, until moving to the Enemy Aircraft Flight of the Central Flying School at Tangmere in January 1945. Stored at No. 47 Maintenance Unit (MU) Sealand in November 1945. Scrapped in 1947. Preserved in the RAF Museum. Crashed at RAF Polebrook on 10 November 1943 while carrying a number of 1426 Flight ground crew as passengers. The pilot, F/O Barr, and six others were killed, four were injured. Received by 1426 Flight in a dismantled state 7 July 1943. Struck off charge, August 1947. Flown until 1946.
Support aircraft
Support aircraft operated by no. 1426 Flight RAF, data from
+
!aircraft!!RAF
regN9882 V3781 K8308
Aircraft operated, 1956
Avro Lincoln B.1
Survivors
Four of the aircraft operated by the flight still survive: Bf 109 E-3 'DG200', Bf 109 G2 'RN228' (known as 'Black 6'), Fiat CR42 'BT474', and Ju 88R-1 'PJ876'. All are currently displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum London.
See also
External links
|
|
