RAF Squadron Structure (Fighters)

[pfP7063]

Whilst recently re-reading Mosquito, Typhoon and Tempest by Bowyer, Reed and Beamont I came across a photo of 609 Squadron's Operations Board from October 1943 on page 204.

On it it shows that:

'A' Flight consisted of Red, Yellow and White Sections.
'B' Flight consisted of Blue, Green and Black Sections.

It also indicates that aircraft coded A to L were allocated to 'A' Flight and that those coded M to Z were allocated to 'B' Flight.

My questions relating to this last tidbit are as follows:

1. Am I correct in assuming that this was standard practice throughout Fighter Command.

2. Given the vagaries of operational necessity would I be correct to assume that aircraft from 'B' Flight were flown by 'A' Flight pilots and vice versa without changing the aircraft's individual code?

3. My reason for asking Question 2 is to how this may have pertained to 137 and 263 Squadron's and their Whirlwinds, particularly during the twilight of its opertional career.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Paul

On a differnet tack, and forgive my ignorance, how many ground crew would be assigned to each aircraft? Engine fitter, rigger (airframe?), instrument fitter and armourer spring to mind. And if I've incorrectly stated their designations I'm happy to have them corrected! (Please and thank you!)