Thread: RAF Blind/Beam Approach Training flights
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Old May 29th 09, 01:45 AM
David Raphael David Raphael is offline
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First recorded activity by AviationBanter: May 2009
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Hello Geoffrey

My father, Squadron Leader Ralph J. Raphael, was CO of BAT Flight 1515 since about December 1941 until 1945. The Flight was based at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk (where I was born), then RAF Swanton Morley, RAF Poulton, Cheshire and ultimately at RAF Peplow .

They flew 'Airspeed Oxfords'. I have all his Flying Log Books from that time

6 years ago I was in email contact with a Bernard Johnson who was a Flying Officer Pilot who spent time with BAT 1515. I guess he is still around.

Let me know if I can help further

regards

David Raphael.















Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonathan Stilwell View Post
"Geoffrey Sinclair" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have information on the RAF Beam/Blind Approach
Training flights?

Find yourself a copy of "Flying Units of the RAF", by Alan Lake, Published
by Airlife, ISBN 1-84037-086-6

When they were created, disbanded and what formation they
reported to?

Can't help with what they reported to.

I am after the ones attached to Bomber Command, the 1501
to 1521 and 1535 flights. The earlier flights were known as 1
through 7 or 8 flight and in October 1941 had 1500 added
to their designation number, so 1 became 1501 etc.

The ones I am missing are 1504, probably formed in early 1941,
as 4 becoming 1504 in October. 1505, similar story to 1504.
Also 1511, 1512, 1514 and 1517 probably formed late 1941,
and finally 1535.

The following from the above reference:

4 Blind Approach Training Flight
Formed 17th December 1940 at Wyton
Wellington 1 L4277
Wellington 1A N2868
Wellington 1C R1528
Disbanded 8th November 1941 at Wyton to become 1504 (Beam Approach Training)
Flight

5 Blind Approach Training Flight
Formed 1st January 1941 at Honington
Wellington 1 L4341
Wellington 1A N2960
Wellington 1C L7851
Oxford 1 R6027
Disbanded 8th November 1941 at Honington to become 1505 (Beam Approach
Training) Flight

11 Blind Approach Training Flight
Formed 22nd September 1941 at Upwood
Oxford 1 V4061
Disbanded October 1941 at Upwood to become 1511 (Beam Approach Training)
Flight

12 Blind Approach Training Flight
Formed 22nd September 1941 at Dishforth
Oxford 1 V4083
Disbanded October 1941 at Dishforth to become 1512 (Beam Approach Training)
Flight

14 Blind Approach Training Flight
Formed 22nd September 1941 at Coningsby
Disbanded October 1941 at Coningsby to become 1514 (Beam Approach Training)
Flight

17 Blind Approach Training Flight
Formed October 1941 at Wattisham
Oxford 1 V4144 F
Disbanded October 1941 at Ipswich to become 1517 (Beam Approach Training)
Flight

1504 (Beam Approach Training) Flight
Formed 8th November 1941 at Wyton
Wellington 1 L4277
Wellington 1C L7889
Oxford 1 DF351
Disbanded 21st August 1943 at Newmarket

1505 (Beam Approach Training) Flight
Formed 8th November 1941 at Honington
Wellington 1 L4293
Wellington 1C L7817
Oxford 1 DF295 V
Disbanded 3rd February 1943 at Upper Heyford

1511 (Beam Approach Training) Flight
Formed October 1941 at Upwood
Redesignated 1511 (Radio Aids Training) Flight from 15th September 1945
Oxford 1 V4129 G
Disbanded 1st August 1946 at Wheaton Aston

1512 (Beam Approach Training) Flight
Formed October 1941 at Dishforth
Oxford 1 V4080
Disbanded 30th August 1944 at Banff

1514 (Beam Approach Training) Flight
Formed October 1941 at Coningsby
Oxford 1 V4092
Disbanded 9th January 1945 at Fiskerton

1517 (Beam Approach Training) Flight
Formed October 1941 at Wattisham
Oxford 1 V4145 G
Disbanded 17th December 1945 at Wheaton Aston

1535 (RCAF Beam Approach Training) Flight
Formed 15 December 1942 at Middleton St. George
Oxford 1 DF422
Disbanded 1730th August 1943 at Topcliffe


The formations all appear in the detailed Bomber Command
OOB for 4 February 1943 in the official history, which covers
operational and training units. They are gone in the 1945 OOB.

Also information on the "Air Bomber Training" Flights which
appear to have existed during 1943, 1, 3, 4 and 5 group all
having one on 4 February 1943.

1 Group Air Bomber Training Flight
Formed June 1942 at Binbrooke alongside 1481 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight
Disbanded 15th March 1943 at Lindholme

3 Group Air Bomber Training Flight
Formed 15th June 1942 at Newmarket alongside 1483 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight
Disbanded 15th March 1943 at Marham

4 Group Air Bomber Training Flight
Formed 17th June 1942 at Driffield alongside 1484 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight
Disbanded 15th March 1943 at Driffield

5 Group Air Bomber Training Flight
Formed 15th June 1942 at Coningsby alongside 1485 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight
Disbanded 15th March 1943 at Fulbeck

All listed as having an Oxford.

Jon.