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No.604 Sqn RAF - Squadron Details - Aviation Directory

No.604 Sqn RAF


Name : No.604 Sqn RAF
Founded : 17th March 1930
Disbanded : 10th March 1957
Country : UK
Fate : Disbanded 10th March1957
More Details : County of Middlesex (Auxiliary)

Si vis pacem, para bellum - If you want peace, prepare for war
Known Code Letters : , NG, WQ,

Known Service Details :

Pilot or Aircrew

Rank

Start of Service

End of Service

Known Dates

Aircraft

Airframes

Notes

A. L. Austin

Leading Aircraftsman

unknown

26th August 1940

25th August 1940

Blenheim

L6782

Killed in Action

J. D. Cameron

unknown

unknown

B. Cannon

unknown

unknown

Edward Dixon Crew

unknown

October 1942

Blenheim
Beaufighter

G. W. Dutton

unknown

unknown

J. G. B. Fletcher

Sergeant

unknown

25th August 1940

Blenheim

L6782

Killed in Action

William Hoy

1941

unknown

29th July 1942
1943

Beaufighter

Joseph Robert Kayll

1934

May 1940

A. Phillips

unknown

unknown

E. L. R. Poole

Sergeant

unknown

unknown

Blenheim

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.604 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
NameInfo
Anderson, J D
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Anderson, J D


Anderson, M F
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Anderson, M F


Austin, A. L.
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   Died : 26 / 8 / 1940
Austin, A. L.

Leading Aircraftsman A.L.Austin of No 604 Squadron was on night patrol on the 25th of August 1940 when his Blenheim I (L6782) crashed near Exeter. His pilot (J.G.B.Fletcher) and the other crew member (C.Haigh) were killed. Austin died a day later due to his wounds.
Bayliss, D.
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Bayliss, D.


Blane, W. H.
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Blane, W. H.

No service details available
Brown, R. S.
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Brown, R. S.


Budd, G. O.
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Budd, G. O.


Cameron, J. D.
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   Died : 9 / 5 / 1942
Cameron, J. D.

Killed May 9th 1942
Cannon, B.
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Cannon, B.


Chisholm, R. A.
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Chisholm, R. A.


Clark, G. P.
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Clark, G. P.


Cook, A. W.
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Cook, A. W.


Crew, Edward Dixon
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   Died : 18 / 8 / 2002
Crew, Edward Dixon

Joining No 604 (County of Middlesex), an Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, in July 1940, Crew began to learn his trade as a night fighter pilot; among those with whom he flew at this time was John Cats' Eyes Cunningham, who himself became one of the most famous night fighter pilots of the war. It was a hard apprenticeship because Crew's Bristol Blenheim was equipped with early, and rudimentary, airborne radar, and much depended on the ability of his air gunner, Sgt Gus Guthrie, to adapt to his new calling as a radar operator. It was not until the following spring, when the squadron converted to two-engine Bristol Beaufighters, that the pair acquired a more suitable aircraft and sufficient expertise to dispatch five enemy bombers within a period of 10 weeks. This early run of success was speedily recognised with the award of the first of Crew's two DFCs. The citation stated: This officer is a pilot of outstanding ability who has shown tenacity of purpose to engage the enemy, which culminated in the destruction of two enemy aircraft in one night. Citations, by their very nature, are matter-of-fact, and do not capture the essence of their subjects. Others in the same squadron remembered Crew as a small, compact man who gave the impression of being larger than he was. He was seen as a patrician who hunted down his victims with a ferocity which was in marked contrast to his quietly spoken and always imperturbable manner. From the end of July 1941, Guthrie - Crew's eyes in combat - was posted away, and Crew was joined by Sgt Basil Duckett, with whom, in the spring of 1942, he achieved three further kills. Crew and Duckett made a brilliant team in which the radar operator's quiet persistence matched the pilot's natural hunting instincts. In early May 1942 Duckett enabled Crew to shoot down two Dornier 17 bombers on successive nights. Returning from the first of these encounters, over Portland in Dorset, Crew arrived back at base with the Dornier's trailing aerial wrapped around his Beaufighter's starboard propeller. Crew's second encounter developed into a long, drawn-out chase as he stalked the Dornier well out to sea off the Isle of Wight. As the enemy pilot twisted and turned to evade his pursuer, Crew refused to be shaken off, despite the fact that his guns were out of ammunition and Duckett was struggling to reload. Eventually, however, Crew's plane was able to deliver a burst which set the enemy bomber on fire and slowed it down as its gunner continued to return fire. At this point, the Beaufighter overshot the enemy aircraft, but Crew managed to keep it in view while Duckett again reloaded. Hunter and hunted continued to lose height until, at 2,000 ft, Crew saw the enemy crash into the sea, raising a plume of smoke and steam. Shortly afterwards Crew received a Bar to his DFC, the citation singling out his readiness to fly in all weather, his skill and ability in dealing with the enemy at night and his great example to the squadron. Edward Dixon Crew was born on December 24th 1917 at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire. He was brought up by his step-father, Sir Kenneth Murchison, a Tory MP, and educated at Felsted School and Downing College, Cambridge, where, in 1939, he joined the University Air Squadron. Following a sustained period of night operations with 604 Squadron, he was rested from October 1942 while commander of the Radio Development Flight; in March the following year he returned to operations in No 85, a Mosquito night fighter squadron. In June 1943 Wing Commander Crew received command of No 96 Squadron, leading its Mosquitoes against night raiders until the summer of 1944; this was when Hitler launched his so-called 'revenge weapons' against London and the South of England. Chasing pilotless V-1s - or 'chuff bombs', as Crew liked to call them - was by no means tame target practice. On June 25th he was on the tail of a V-1, travelling at high speed, when the force of the explosion as he shot it down split open his own aircraft's nose. Crew held the Mosquito steady long enough for his radar navigator, Warrant Officer W R Croysdill, to bail out over land. Then, as the Mosquito became uncontrollable, Crew himself jumped, landing safely near Worthing, in Sussex. Completing his Second World War operational career when 96 Squadron was disbanded in 1945, Crew was awarded the DSO. The citation emphasised his great skill in devising tactics to meet the menace of the flying bombs. That year he received a permanent commission and attended the RAF Staff College, before being posted in 1948 to command No 45 Beaufighter Squadron in the Far East. Operational once again, Crew led his squadron effectively against Communist insurgents aiming to destabilise Malaya. Harassing the jungle-based enemy in 100 night attacks, he consistently drove the terrorists into the hands of the security forces, for which he received a Bar to his DSO. The Air Ministry stated that Crew had displayed an almost uncanny knack in locating the target and attacking it on the first run in. From 1952 Crew served in Canada, where he commanded an operational training unit and introduced the Avro Canada CF100 all-weather fighter. After two years there he returned to command the all-weather development squadron at the Central Flying Establishment, with particular emphasis on trials of the Javelin. Later he commanded RAF Bruggen in Germany, before returning to the Far East in charge of the air task force in Borneo from 1965; his role here was dealing with the Indonesian Confrontation of the mid-1960s. Subsequently Crew commanded the Central Reconnaissance Establishment; he also served at the Ministry of Defence as Director of Operations (air defence and overseas), and was Deputy Air Controller of National Air Traffic Services. He retired as an air vice-marshal in 1973, when he joined the planning inspectorate of the Department of the Environment. Serving there until 1987, Crew was appointed CB in 1973 and elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1972. Air Vice Marshal Edward Crew CB DSO DFC died on the 18th August 2002 at the age of 84.

Citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross

This officer is a pilot of outstanding ability who has shown tenacity of purpose to engage the enemy which culminated in the destruction of two enemy aircraft in one night He has now destroyed four and damaged at least a further four enemy aircraft, at night.”

(London Gazette – 29 July 1941)

Citation for Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross in July, 1941, this officer has carried out a large number of operational patrols by night and has destroyed 4 enemy aircraft. He has now destroyed a total of 8 enemy aircraft at night and damaged a number of others. By his readiness to fly in any weather and his skill and ability in dealing with the enemy at night, he sets a splendid example to the squadron.”

(London Gazette – 16 June 1942)

Citation for the Distinguished Service Order

Wing Commander Crew continues to display the highest standard of skill, courage and leadership. In air fighting he has destroyed 13 enemy aircraft and damaged several more. With the advent of the flying bomb attacks on this country, Wing Commander Crew displayed great skill and perseverance in devising tactics to meet the menace. As a result, he shot down numerous flying bombs, whilst other members of his squadron took a heavy toll of them. This officer has commanded the squadron with outstanding success.”

(London Gazette – 26 September 1944)

Cunningham, John
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   Died : 21 / 7 / 2002
Cunningham, John

John Cunningham joined the RAF in 1935 with 604 Squadron. At the outbreak of World War Two he was based at North Weald flying Blenheims on day escort and night fighter operations. In September 1940 he converted onto Beaufighters equipped with radar, the first aircraft that made night fighting really possible. In November he had the Squadron's first successful night combat. He took command of 604 Squadron in August 1941. After a period at HQ81 Group, he was posted on his second tour to command 85 Squadron equipped with Mosquitoes. In March 1944 with 19 night and 1 day victory he was posted to HQ11 Group to look after night operations. The most famous Allied night fighter Ace of WWII - 20 victories. He died 21st July 2002. Born in 1917, Group Captain John Cunningham was the top-scoring night fighter ace of the Royal Air Force. Cunningham joined the RAF in 1935 as a Pilot Officer. He learned to fly in the Avro 504N and was awarded his wings in 1936. While assigned to the Middlesex Squadron Auxiliary based at Hendon, Cunningham received instruction in the Hawker Hart prior to moving on the Hawker Demon. The Demon was a two-seat day and night fighter. Cunningharn's squadron was mobilized in 1938 following the Czechoslovak crisis. His No. 604 unit was moved to North Weald. Later in 1938 his unit returned to Hendon and was reequipped with the more modern Blenheim 1 fighter. In August of 1939 the unit was again mobilized and returned to North Weald. The Squadron was primarily utilized to provide daylight air cover for convoys. Lacking radar the Blenheim was relatively useless as a night fighter. In September of 1940 the unit was moved to Middle Wallop and the first Bristol Beaufighters arrived. The Beatifighter had a modestly effective, although often unreliable radar. It was an excellent aircraft with reliable air-cooled engines and four 20mm cannons. Cunningham attained the units first night victory in the Beaufighter, and his tally rose steadily. He was promoted to Wing Commander of 604 Squadron in August of 1941. Cunningham completed his first combat tour of duty in mid-1942 with a total of 15 victories. He was then posted to H.Q. 81 Group, which was an operational training group under the Fighter Command. In January of 1943 Cunningham was transferred to command of No. 85 Squadron which was equipped with the Mosquito. With the higher speed of the Mosquito, Cunningham was successful at downing Fw-190s, something impossible in the slower Beaufighter. Cunningham completed his second tour in 1944 with a total of nineteen victories at night and one by day. He was promoted to Group Captain at that time, and was assigned to H.Q. 11 Group. Cunningham's radar operator Sqd. Ldr. Jimmy Rawnsley participated in most of Cunningham's victories. The 604 Squadron was disbanded in 1945, but in 1946 Cunningham was given the honor of reforming the Squadron at Hendon - flying the Spitfire. Cunningham left the RAF in 1946 and joined the De Havilland Aircraft Co. at Hatfield as its Chief Test Pilot. Cunningham had a long and distinguished career in the British aviation industry, retiring from British Aerospace in 1980.
Dalton, R. W.
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Dalton, R. W.


Davies, J. A.
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   Died : 6 / 10 / 1940
Davies, J. A.

Killed October 6th 1940
Dutton, G. W.
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Dutton, G. W.


Edwards, A. J.
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Edwards, A. J.


Evans, G. J.
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Evans, G. J.


Fenton, W. G.
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Fenton, W. G.


Fletcher, J. G. B.
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   Died : 25 / 8 / 1940
Fletcher, J. G. B.

Sergeant J.G.B.Fletcher of No 604 Squadron was on night patrol on the 25th of August 1940 when he crashed his Blenheim I (L6782) near Exeter. He was killed along with his crew (C.Haigh and A.L.Austin)
Folliard, J. H.
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Folliard, J. H.


Geddes, K. I.
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Geddes, K. I.


Genney, T.
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   Died : 6 / 2 / 1941
Genney, T.

Killed testing February 6th 1941
Goodman, M. V.
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Goodman, M. V.


Guthrie, N. H.
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Guthrie, N. H.


Haigh, C.
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   Died : 25 / 8 / 1940
Haigh, C.

Killed August 25th 1940
Hatton,
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Hatton,

(Service details unknown)
Hawke, S. N.
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   Died : 29 / 5 / 1941
Hawke, S. N.

Killed May 29th 1941
Heal, P. W. D.
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Heal, P. W. D.


Hird, L.
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   Died : 28 / 6 / 1941
Hird, L.

Killed June 28th 1941
Hoy, William
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   Died : 20 / 11 / 2012
Hoy, William

William Hoy was born in Edinburgh on December 23 1918 and educated at George Watson’s College, where he won a scholarship to the RAF College, Cranwell. He graduated as a pilot in October 1939. He flew Anson and Hudson aircraft on shipping sweeps over the North Sea, taking part in the operations over the Norwegian coast after the German invasion in April 1940. He then joined No 420 Flight, flying the antiquated Harrow bomber on operations to drop aerial mines by night. The mines were attached to 2,000ft of piano wire in the hope that enemy bombers would fly into the wire, causing the mines to strike them and explode. There are no recorded successes. Converting to the Beaufighter night fighter in late 1941, Hoy joined No 604 Squadron and was soon appointed a flight commander. On the night of July 29 1942 he shot down a Heinkel bomber off Land’s End and, in spring 1943, he accounted for two more off the coast of Yorkshire and damaged a third. On another occasion he led another Beaufighter on a well-planned attack on an enemy reconnaissance aircraft, which was destroyed as a direct result of Hoy’s initiative. In July 1943 he was awarded a DFC. After a rest period, Hoy returned to the front line as flight commander of 25 Squadron, flying the Mosquito. On July 9 1944 he shot down a V-1 flying bomb over the Channel. After the war Hoy commanded two night fighter squadrons before being appointed wing commander, flying at Church Fenton in Yorkshire – the home of four fighter squadrons. He attended No 1 Course at the new RAF Flying College at Manby, Lincolnshire, before taking up an appointment in the Middle East. After his flight in Aries V, Hoy served with Nato and at the Air Ministry. His last appointment before retiring in 1966 was as station commander at RAF Manston in Kent. William Hoy died on 20th November 2012.
Hunter, A. S.
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   Died : 6 / 2 / 1941
Hunter, A. S.

Killed February 6th 1941
Jackson, P. F.
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   Died : 29 / 5 / 1941
Jackson, P. F.

Killed on exercise May 29th 1941
Joll, I. K. S.
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Joll, I. K. S.


Kennedy, R. W.
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   Died : 26 / 3 / 1944
Kennedy, R. W.

Killed March 26th 1944
Lawler, E. S.
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Lawler, E. S.


Lawton, P. C. F.
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Lawton, P. C. F.


Maclaren, A. C.
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Maclaren, A. C.


Metcalfe, A. C.
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Metcalfe, A. C.


Miller, A. C.
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Miller, A. C.


Moody, D. G.
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Moody, D. G.


O'leary, A. A.
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O'leary, A. A.


Parry, M. E.
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Parry, M. E.


Patston, A. G.
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Patston, A. G.


Phillips, A.
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Phillips, A.


Phillipson, J. R.
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   Died : 5 / 1 / 1943
Phillipson, J. R.

Killed January 5th 1943
Pickford, J. T.
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Pickford, J. T.


Poole, E. L. R.
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Poole, E. L. R.

Sergeant Eric L.R.Poole joined the R.A.F. as an apprentice when he was 16. He later flew with No 604 Squadron in Blenheim's during the Battle of Britain. He attained the rank of Flying Officer.
Rabone, J. H. M.
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Rabone, J. H. M.


Rawnsley, C. F.
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Rawnsley, C. F.


Ripley, W. G.
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   Died : 16 / 11 / 1943
Ripley, W. G.

Killed November 16th 1943
Ruston, P.
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Ruston, P.


Sandifer, A. K.
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Sandifer, A. K.


Scott, R. H.
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Scott, R. H.


Selway, J. B.
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Selway, J. B.


Shirley, S. H. J.
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   Died : 27 / 7 / 1941
Shirley, S. H. J.

Killed July 27th 1941
Skinner, C. D. E.
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Skinner, C. D. E.


Skinner, S. H.
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   Died : 9 / 8 / 1942
Skinner, S. H.

Killed August 19th 1942**
Smith, E. L.
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Smith, E. L.


Smith, F.
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   Died : 6 / 3 / 1942
Smith, F.

Killed March 6th 1942**
Speke, H.
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   Died : 26 / 7 / 1941
Speke, H.

Killed July 26th 1941
Stewart, C. N. D.
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   Died : 31 / 5 / 1942
Stewart, C. N. D.

Killed May 31st 1942
Stock, E.
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Stock, E.


Sumpter, C. H. S.
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Sumpter, C. H. S.


Taylor, R. H. W.
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Taylor, R. H. W.

Killed November 26th 1940
Thomas, G. S.
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Thomas, G. S.


Wallen, D. S.
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Wallen, D. S.


Ward, W. B.
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Ward, W. B.


Watson, J. G.
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Watson, J. G.


Welch, E.
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   Died : 17 / 12 / 1941
Welch, E.

Killed December 17th 1941
Wheatcroft, N. R.
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   Died : 26 / 11 / 1940
Wheatcroft, N. R.

Killed November 26th 1940
Whittick, H. G.
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Whittick, H. G.


Williams, M. A.
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Williams, M. A.


Wright, W.
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   Died : 26 / 8 / 1941
Wright, W.

Killed August 26th 1941
Yates, W.
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Yates, W.





Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
A. L. Austin
J. G. B. Fletcher
Historical Notes :
25-08-1940 - Blenheim flown by Leading Aircraftman A.L. Austin was on night patrol when it crashed near Exeter. It's pilot (J.G.B.Fletcher) and the other crew member (C.Haigh) were killed. Leading Aircraftman Austin later died of his wounds.
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
A. W. Woolley
Historical Notes :
26-08-1940 - Hurricane flown by Sergeant A.W.Woolley was shot down and crashed at Great Totham, Essex.
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.604 Sqn RAF



Known Individual Aircraft of No.604 Sqn RAF :

Type

Serial

Codes

First Flew

Squadron History

Aircrew History

History Notes

Engine

Factory

Blenheim I

L6782

-

details

details

details

Hurricane I

V7238

-

details

details

details

Spitfire LFXVI

RW358

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory

Spitfire LFXVI

RW359

PR-G

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory

Spitfire LFXVI

RW374

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory

Spitfire LFXVIe

RW382

NG-C

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVIe

RW386

NG-D
RAK-A

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVI

SL548

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory

Spitfire LFXVI

SL599

NG-T

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory

Spitfire LFXVI

SL613

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory

Spitfire LFXVI

SL615

RAK-Y

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory

Spitfire LFXVI

SL681

RAK-W

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory

Spitfire LFXVI

TB902

NG-M

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVIe

TD135

NG-U

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVI

TE189

NG-H

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVI

TE208

RAU-F

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVI

TE275

NG-W

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVI

TE344

NG-B

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVI

TE436

NG-F

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVI

TE439

NG-R

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire LFXVI

TE467

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 266

Spitfire Ia

X4556

25/09/1940

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Aircraft for : No.604 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircraft associated with No.604 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
AircraftInfo

Beaufighter



Click the name above to see prints featuring Beaufighter aircraft.

Manufacturer : Bristol
Production Began : 1940
Number Built : 5564

Beaufighter

BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER The Bristol Beaufighter was a Torpedo Bomber and had a crew of two. with a maximum speed of 330mph and a ceiling of 29,000 feet. maximum normal range of 1500 miles but could be extended to 1750 miles. The Bristol Beaufighter carried four 20mm cannon in the belly of the aircraft and upto six .303in browning machine guns in the wings. it could also carry eight 3 -inch rockets, 1605 lb torpedo or a bomb load of 1,000 lb. The Bristol Beaufighter first flew in July 1939 and with some modifications entered service with the Royal Air Force in July 1940. In the winter of 1940 - 1941 the Beaufighter was used as a night fighter. and in March 1941 the aircraft was used at Coastal Command as a long range strike aircraft. and in 1941, the Beaufighter arrived in North Africa and used as a forward ground attack aircraft. The Bristol Beaufighter was used also in India, Burma and Australia. A total of 5,564 Beaufighters were built until production in Britain finished in 1945, but a further 364 were built in Australia for the Australian Air Force

Blenheim



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Manufacturer : Bristol
Production Began : 1935
Retired : 1956
Number Built : 4422

Blenheim

The Bristol Blenheim, the most plentiful aircraft in the RAFs inventory when WWII began, was designed by Frank Barnwell, and when first flown in 1936 was unique with its all metal monoplane design incorporating a retractable undercarriage, wing flaps, metal props, and supercharged engines. A typical bomb load for a Blenheim was 1,000 pounds. In the early stages of the war Blenheims were used on many daylight bombing missions. On the day that war was declared on Germany, a Blenheim piloted by Flying Officer Andrew McPherson was the first British aircraft to cross the German coast and the following morning 15 Blenheims from three squadrons set off on one of the first bombing missions The Blenheim units operated throughout the battle, often taking heavy casualties, although they were never accorded the publicity of the fighter squadrons. The Blenheim units raided German occupied airfields throughout July to December 1940, both during daylight hours and at night. Although most of these raids were unproductive, there were some successes; on 1 August five out of 12 Blenheims sent to attack Haamstede and Evere (Brussels) were able to bomb, destroying or heavily damaging three Bf 109s of II./JG 27 and apparently killing a Staffelkapitän identified as Hauptmann Albrecht von Ankum-Frank. Two other 109s were claimed by Blenheim gunners. Another successful raid on Haamstede was made by a single Blenheim on 7 August which destroyed one 109 of 4./JG 54, heavily damaged another and caused lighter damage to four more. There were also some missions which produced an almost 100% casualty rate amongst the Blenheims. One such operation was mounted on 13 August 1940 against a Luftwaffe airfield near Aalborg in north-western Denmark by 12 aircraft of 82 Squadron. One Blenheim returned early (the pilot was later charged and due to appear before a court martial, but was killed on another operation); the other 11, which reached Denmark, were shot down, five by flak and six by Bf 109s. Blenheim-equipped units had been formed to carry out long-range strategic reconnaissance missions over Germany and German-occupied territories, as well as bombing operations. In this role, the Blenheims once again proved to be too slow and vulnerable against Luftwaffe fighters and they took constant casualties While great heroism was displayed by the air crews, tremendous losses were sustained during these missions. The Blenhiem was easy pickings at altitude for German Bf-109 fighters who quickly learned to attack from below. To protect the vulnerable bellies of the Blenheims many missions were shifted to low altitude, but this increased the aircrafts exposure to anti-aircraft fire. In the German night-bombing raid on London on 18 June 1940, Blenheims accounted for five German bombers, thus proving that they were better-suited for night fighting. In July, No. 600 Squadron, by then based at RAF Manston, had some of its Mk IFs equipped with AI Mk III radar. With this radar equipment, a Blenheim from the Fighter Interception Unit (FIU) at RAF Ford achieved the first success on the night of 2–3 July 1940, accounting for a Dornier Do 17 bomber. More successes came, and before long the Blenheim proved itself invaluable as a night fighter. One Blenheim pilot, Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for an attack on Singora, Thailand, on 9 December 1941. Another bomber of No. 60 Squadron RAF was credited with shooting down Lt Col Tateo Katō's Nakajima Ki-43 fighter and badly damaging two others in a single engagement on 22 May 1942, over the Bay of Bengal. Katō's death was a severe blow to the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force.

Mosquito



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Manufacturer : De Havilland
Production Began : 1940
Retired : 1955
Number Built : 7781

Mosquito

Used as a night fighter, fighter bomber, bomber and Photo-reconnaissance, with a crew of two, Maximum speed was 425 mph, at 30,300 feet, 380mph at 17,000ft. and a ceiling of 36,000feet, maximum range 3,500 miles. the Mosquito was armed with four 20mm Hospano cannon in belly and four .303 inch browning machine guns in nose. Coastal strike aircraft had eight 3-inch Rockets under the wings, and one 57mm shell gun in belly. The Mossie at it was known made its first flight on 25th November 1940, and the mosquito made its first operational flight for the Royal Air Force as a reconnaissance unit based at Benson. In early 1942, a modified version (mark II) operated as a night fighter with 157 and 23 squadron's. In April 1943 the first De Haviland Mosquito saw service in the Far east and in 1944 The Mosquito was used at Coastal Command in its strike wings. Bomber Commands offensive against Germany saw many Mosquitos, used as photo Reconnaissance aircraft, Fighter Escorts, and Path Finders. The Mosquito stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1955. and a total of 7781 mosquito's were built.

Spitfire



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Manufacturer : Supermarine
Production Began : 1936
Retired : 1948
Number Built : 20351

Spitfire

Royal Air Force fighter aircraft, maximum speed for mark I Supermarine Spitfire, 362mph up to The Seafire 47 with a top speed of 452mph. maximum ceiling for Mk I 34,000feet up to 44,500 for the mark XIV. Maximum range for MK I 575 miles . up to 1475 miles for the Seafire 47. Armament for the various Marks of Spitfire. for MK I, and II . eight fixed .303 browning Machine guns, for MKs V-IX and XVI two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 browning machine guns. and on later Marks, six to eight Rockets under the wings or a maximum bomb load of 1,000 lbs. Designed by R J Mitchell, The proto type Spitfire first flew on the 5th March 1936. and entered service with the Royal Air Force in August 1938, with 19 squadron based and RAF Duxford. by the outbreak of World war two, there were twelve squadrons with a total of 187 spitfires, with another 83 in store. Between 1939 and 1945, a large variety of modifications and developments produced a variety of MK,s from I to XVI. The mark II came into service in late 1940, and in March 1941, the Mk,V came into service. To counter the Improvements in fighters of the Luftwaffe especially the FW190, the MK,XII was introduced with its Griffin engine. The Fleet Air Arm used the Mk,I and II and were named Seafires. By the end of production in 1948 a total of 20,351 spitfires had been made and 2408 Seafires. The most produced variant was the Spitfire Mark V, with a total of 6479 spitfires produced. The Royal Air Force kept Spitfires in front line use until April 1954.

Vampire



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Vampire

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Last edited : 15:24, January 24, 2017
Last editor : kc

No.604 Sqn RAF Artwork



Clipped Signature - Edward Crew.


Double Trouble by Stan Stokes.

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