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No.140 Sqn RAF - Squadron Details - Aviation Directory

No.140 Sqn RAF


Name : No.140 Sqn RAF
Founded : 1st April 1918
Disbanded : 1918
Re - founded : 17th September 1941
Re - disbanded : 10th November 1945
Country : UK
Fate : Disbanded 10th November 1945
More Details : Photo Reconnaissance

Foresight
Known Code Letters : , ZW,

Initially planned in November 1917 to be a O/400 or DH9 unit, eventually formed on 1 April 1918 at Biggin Hill as a home defence squadron with Bristol F.2B aircraft. The squadron reformed on 17th September 1941 at RAF Benson as a Spitfire and Blenheim equipped photo-reconnaissance unit, when no 1417 Flight was raised to Squadron status. In 1942 the squadron operated a detachment at RAF St Evall in Cornwall to photograph the French ports on the Atlantic coast. The Spitfires were used for daylight operations over Northern France and later the Low Countries and Belgium, whilst the Blenheims were used for night reconnaissance using flares but in this role they were not very successful. The Blenheims were supplemented by Venturas in February 1943 and by August the Blenheims were all replaced. In July 1943 the squadron was allocated to No 34 Wing of 2nd Tactical Air Force and its main operations now centred on the preparations for the forthcoming invasion. To support the forthcoming invasion of France the squadron was involved in detailed photography of coastal installations as well as photographing other targets and general mapping. In November 1943, it began to receive Mosquitoes and with the Venturas leaving in January 1944 and the last Spitfire in April, it became wholly equipped with Mosquitoes. The Mosquito had a larger range and was able to work deeper over France. Later with the radar equipped Mosquito PR.XVIs they were able to carry out blind night photography. These continued to be used in both day and night roles for the remainder of the war, having moved to Belgium in September 1944. The squadron's final operational tasks were to carry out shipping reconnaissance along the Dutch and German coasts and with the war in Europe finished the Squadron returned to England in September 1945 and disbanded at Fersfield on 10 November 1945.

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.140 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
Brearley, Peter G
Click the name above to see a profile of Brearley, Peter G
Brearley, Peter G

Flt. Lt. Peter G Brearley DFC joined the RAF in 1941 from Cambridge University Air Sqn. He obtained his Wings in 1942, and then completed a navigation course at 3 School of General Reconnaissance and after OTU in Novembe 1942 Peter G Brearley was posted to 140 Squadron, Army Co-op Command, later Fighter Command, then Tactical Air Force. At first equipped with P.R Spitfires then P.R Mosquitoes. A Photographic Reconnaissance unit dedicated to the Army Intelligence, making a revising maps for the coming invasion, beach gradients for troop landings and photo targets relevant to that operation. Also coverage of flying bomb sites to enable No. 2 Group (Boston & Mitchell medium bombers), stationed on the same airfield to carry out bombing raids to minimise the V1 threat. V2s were launched from mobile lorries so we attacked when seen by fighter-bombers. At first Peter flew Spitfires and later Mosquitoes with F/O Leslie W Preston GM as navigator Flt. Lt Peter G Brearley was awarded the D.F.C in August 1944, presented by H.M. George VI at Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh: - Citation - This Officer has shown great keenness and ability and can always be relied upon to complete his allocated task. He has made a great number of high level photographic sorties, often through most adverse weather, but his results have always been of the highest order. His Squadron started at Mount Farm, near Benson, Oxon, then moved to Hartford Bridge, Hants, re-named Blackbushe, and finally to Northolt after which he left in May 1944. Flt. Lt. Peter G Brearley DFC finished his RAF service as a flying instructor on Mosquitoes when he was sent as a flying instructor to 132 O.T.U, RAF East Fortune, East Lothian. They were the vanguard in converting the Beaufighter squadrons operating from RAF Banff on the Mosquito. As Beaufighters were phased out the O.T.U used Mosquitos entirely. The unit moved to RAF Brawdy for three months in 1945 during which time VE-Day came. Flt. Lt. Peter G Brearley DFC unit then moved back to RAF East Fortune awaiting demob. He had a short spell March to April 1946 at RAF Tain with Coastal Command Instructors School until it closed, after which he was sent back to East Fortune. Flt. Lt. Peter G Brearley DFC was demobbed in August 1946.
May, Walter Le
Click the name above to see a profile of May, Walter Le
May, Walter Le

Flight Lieutenant Walter Le May DFC joined the R.A.F. in 1941,and trained as an Observer in Canada, joining 140 Squadron, Army Co-operation Command, at Hartford Bridge (now Blackbushe). The squadron, engaged on photo- reconnaissance, was unique in that one flight was equipped with Spitfires while a second flight, converting from Blenheims to Lockheed Venturas, was used for night operations. In June 1943 the squadron became part of the 34 Wing 2nd Tactical Air Force, and later converted to Mosquito 1X & XV1. Mainly involved in night operations, he, with his pilot, F/Lt Ray Batenburg DFC, R.N.Z.A.F., crossed the French coast a few minutes after midnight on D-Day, and took photographs of key points, followed by nearly 2 hours of low-level visual reconnaissance, at heights down to 200 feet. After operational flying he was appointed Night Ops. Controller 34 Wing, and, afterwards Ops. Controller at H.Q. 2 Group, Gutersloh.
Parry, Gwyn
Click the name above to see a profile of Parry, Gwyn
Parry, Gwyn

Flight Lieutenant Gwyn Parry DFC was called up from Oxford University Air Squadron in August 1941 and was commissioned after completion of training in Canada in June 1942. After a navigation course at Squires Gate and PR, OTU he joined 140 Squadron based at Hartfordbridge and later Northolt. The operations he undertook on Spitfires were mostly at high level (up to 34,000 feet) over France and the Low Countries, but also some in Mosquitoes at 12,000 feet over French pre-invasion beaches.



Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Pilots or Aircrew :
P. J. Ferguson
Historical Notes :
18-08-1940 - Damaged after crashing due to collision with high tension cables near Southampton. Flying Officer Ferguson ok.
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Historical Notes :
09-09-1940 - Shot down by Me109.
Historical Notes :
31-08-1940 - Damaged on operations.
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Historical Notes :
15-08-1940 - Damaged on operations.
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Historical Notes :
23-09-1940 - Damaged on operations.
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF
Squadrons :
No.140 Sqn RAF



Known Individual Aircraft of No.140 Sqn RAF :

Type

Serial

Codes

First Flew

Squadron History

Aircrew History

History Notes

Engine

Factory

Spitfire PRIV

AB118

30/10/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIV

AB122

08/11/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIV

AB126

15/11/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIV

AB130

22/11/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIV

AB305

05/12/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire Ia

AR232

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Westland

Spitfire Ia

AR234

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Westland

Spitfire Ia

AR239

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Westland

Spitfire Ia

AR244

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Westland

Spitfire Ia

AR258

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Westland

Spitfire PRIVT

BP919

23/03/1942

details

no information

no information

Merlin 46

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIVT

BP922

27/03/1942

details

no information

no information

Merlin 46

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIVT

BR425

16/05/1942

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIVT

BR648

24/06/1942

details

no information

no information

Merlin 46

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIVT

BR657

13/07/1942

details

no information

no information

Merlin 46

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIVT

BR659

17/07/1942

details

no information

no information

Merlin 46

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire PRIV

EN386

27/01/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Chattis Hill

Spitfire PRIV

EN387

04/02/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Chattis Hill

Spitfire PRXI

EN680

07/08/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 63

Chattis Hill

Spitfire PRXI

EN681

12/08/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 63

Chattis Hill

Spitfire Ia

K9969

10/05/1939

details

details

details

Merlin II

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

L1000

DW-M

02/06/1939

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire PRXIT

MB941

28/09/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 63

Chattis Hill

Spitfire PRXIT

MB942

28/09/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 61

Chattis Hill

Spitfire PRXIT

MB943

30/09/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 63

Chattis Hill

Spitfire PRXIT

MB944

02/10/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 63

Chattis Hill

Spitfire PRXIT

MB947

08/10/1943

details

no information

no information

Merlin 63

Chattis Hill

Spitfire Ia

P9328

06/02/1940

details

no information

details

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

P9505

20/04/1940

details

no information

details

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

R6718

12/06/1940

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

R6910

09/07/1940

details

no information

details

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

R7028

30/01/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

R7116

10/02/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

R7130

17/02/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

R7139

19/02/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

R7143

20/02/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

R7197

SD-E

04/03/1941

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

X4010

24/07/1940

details

no information

details

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

X4179

12/08/1940

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire PRIII

X4492

14/09/1940

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire PRIV

X4499

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

High Post

Spitfire PRIV

X4502

-

details

no information

no information

Merlin 45

Supermarine (dispersal)

Spitfire Ia

X4596

02/10/1940

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

X4645

21/10/1940

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

X4784

18/11/1940

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Spitfire Ia

X4907

23/12/1940

details

no information

no information

Merlin III

Eastleigh

Aircraft for : No.140 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircraft associated with No.140 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
AircraftInfo

Blenheim



Click the name above to see prints featuring Blenheim aircraft.

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.

Bristol F2B



Click the name above to see prints featuring Bristol F2B aircraft.

Manufacturer : Bristol
Production Began : 1916
Retired : 1932
Number Built : 0

Bristol F2B

The Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2 First World war early two-seater pusher biplane and was used by the Royal Flying Corps as a fighter and also as a day or night bomber. The FE2 was one of the few aircraft which gave the allies the edge over the Fokker aircraft of 1914/1915. In May 1915 the F.E.2b entered service with No 6 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps and it was 20 squadron which was the first squadron to be totally equipped with Fe2 aircraft which was deployed in January 1916. The Fe2B remained in day use throughout 1916 and 1917 and in 1918 was used solely as a night bomber. The FE2b equipped 22 squadrons, 16 of which served in France with the other 6 serving the home defence. As the German fighters got better the FE2B was outclassed and was used only as a light night bomber or used on the home defense front against the Zeppelins. Crew: Two Speed: 80 knots (91.5 mph,) Endurance 3 hours Ceiling 11,000 ft Maximum take off weight 3,037 lbs Length: 32 ft 3 in Height: 12 ft 8 in Wingspan 495 ft² Engine Beardmore 6 cylinder inline piston engine giving 160 HP

Mosquito



Click the name above to see prints featuring Mosquito aircraft.

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



Click the name above to see prints featuring Spitfire aircraft.

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.

Ventura



Click the name above to see prints featuring Ventura aircraft.


Ventura

Full profile not yet available.




Last edited : 10:43, August 21, 2013
Last editor : kc

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