| No. 1564 Flight RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 Feb 1943 – 15 Jun 1946 14 Aug 1963 - 31 Dec 1966 1 May 1969 - 31 Mar 1970 20 Aug 1983 - 22 May 1986 Nov 2007 - current |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | Meteorological reconnaissance |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | No known badge |
| Flight Codes | Since 1984 the helicopters of the flight are coded SA, SB and SC[1][2] |
Contents |
No. 1564 (Meteorological) Flight was first formed at RAF Mellaha, near Tripoli, Libya, on 1 February 1943, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, and was disbanded at Istres, France on 15 June 1946.[1][2]
No. 1564 (Helicopter) Flight was re-formed at RAF El Adem, Libya on 14 August 1963, flying Bristol Sycamores and Westland Whirlwinds, from an element of 103 Squadron, disbanding on 31 December 1966 at El Adem.[1][2]
The flight was re-formed at El Adem again on 1 May 1969, from 'D' Flight of 202 Squadron, only to be disbanded again on 31 March 1970 on Cyprus.[1][2]
Following the Falklands War of 1982, the Westland Sea King search and rescue aircraft of C Flight, 202 Squadron, RAF Coltishall were deployed to provide search and rescue cover for BFFI (British Forces Falkland Islands), flying from Navy Point opposite Port Stanley. The unit had a variety of designations before formally adopting No. 1564 (Tactical Support) Flight as its title in 1983. When the Sea King and Chinook units in the Falkland Islands were combined on the opening of RAF Mount Pleasant, they took on the title of 78 Squadron.[1][2]
1564 Flight was reformed in November 2007, by re-designating 78 Squadron on the departure of the Chinook aircraft from the Falklands. The Flight continues to operates two Sea King HAR3 helicopters, with crews provided on rotation from Nos. 22 and 202 Squadrons in the UK.
| From | To | Aircraft | Version | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Feb 1943 | July 1945 | Hawker Hurricane | Mk.I | Z4855 |
| 1 Feb 1943 | July 1945 | Hawker Hurricane | Mk.IIb | KZ134 |
| 1 Feb 1943 | July 1945 | Hawker Hurricane | Mk.IIc | LD209 |
| 1 Feb 1943 | July 1945 | Hawker Hurricane | Mk.IId | HV590 |
| July 1945 | 15 June 1946 | Supermarine Spitfire | Mk.Vc | EF683 |
| July 1945 | 15 June 1946 | Supermarine Spitfire | Mk.IX | MA518 |
| 14 August 1963 | 1 November 1963 | Bristol Sycamore | HAR.14 | XL824 |
| 1 November 1963 | 31 December 1966 | Westland Whirlwind | HAR.10 | XP354 |
| 1 May 1969 | 31 March 1970 | Westland Whirlwind | HAR.10 | XP300, XJ764 |
| 20 August 1983 | 22 May 1986 | Westland Sea King | HAR.3 | XZ597 SC |
| November 2007 | Present | Westland Sea King | HAR.3 | XZ597 SC |
| From | To | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 1 February 1943 | 14 December 1943 | RAF Mellaha, Libya |
| 14 December 1943 | 14 January 1946 | RAF Castel Benito, Libya |
| 14 January 1946 | 15 June 1946 | FAF Istres, France |
| 14 August 1963 | 31 December 1966 | RAF El Adem, Libya |
| 1 May 1969 | January 1970 | RAF El Adem, Libya |
| January 1970 | 31 March 1970 | RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus |
| 20 August 1983 | 22 May 1986 | RAF Navy Point, Falkland Islands |
| November 2007 | Present | RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands |
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