RAF fighter squadrons' individual flights?

[BrianC]

Hi

I should know this, but.........

Within RAF fighter squadrons there were normally two operational flights -
A Flight and B Flight, and within each Flight, sections of usually three aircraft that were colour-coded in order of seniority:

A Flight (senior Flight)
Red Section (senior Section)
Yellow Section

B Flight
Blue Section (senior Section)
Green Section

However, I believe, White, Brown and Black Sections existed on occasion. Is this correct?

And would a pilot have normally been assigned to one particular Section?

Was this system continued with FAA fighter squadrons, which often flew in
pairs, particularly when operating from carriers?

Stay safe
Brian

[Zoran Petek]

Hello, Brian

Escort for B-25s of 57 BW USAAF on 20.3.1945 in northern Italy
111 Sqn Spitfire Mk.IX:
White:
JU-U RR235 S/L Farrow
JU-Y MA690 Sgt Taylor
JU-T PL491 F/S Pinner
JU-C LZ991 W/O Cowling, RAAF
Blue:
JU-Z MK727 P/O Colquhoun
JU-Q MH953 F/L Reeves, RCAF
JU-R RR239 W/O Prest
JU-M MH974 W/O Willcourt, RAAF
Red:
JU-A PL168 F/L Seal
JU-J MK558 F/S Clappison
JU-H PT483 F/S Hand, RAAF
JU-B MH932 W/O Harris, RAAF

On that day also: 3 SAAF Wing (Marauders) raided Dobova escorted by Mustangs of 239 Wing, and Spitfires of 145 Sqn (244 Wing) were on armed recce from Trieste to Ljubljana and back.
So, make your own conclusion.
Regards,
Zoran

[Graham Boak]

Hi Brian, if you look in the book you did with Christopher Shores covering Op. Pedestal, (Malta, The Hurricane Years?) you'll find references to 881 Sq operating with three Flights and each section having a colour code. Sorry I don't have it to hand, and I keep forgetting things too - something to do with age.

[Smithy]

Hi Brian,

Just to add to the above, in relation to Fighter Command and the use of three flights, that dated back to WWI when scout squadrons operated with A, B and C flights. Although I imagine there was the odd exception, by 1940 FC squadrons were using the two flight organisation.

It was normal for a pilot to be assigned to a particular section although he could be moved depending on the need to balance sections due to various factors: leave; injury; need to balance experience/inexperience; etc. Obviously the flight commander was responsible for the organisation and allocation to sections.

HTH,

Tim

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Keep in mind, pilots could be switched amongst squadrons on a need-be basis. I know of one case due to one squadron being short on pilots, several from another squadron, in their own aircraft, were attached to the other squadron.

I would like to see a copy of that official order which points out who is to be the senior section within the flights.


Stephen

[paulmcmillan]

607 Sqn 15 August 1940


A Flight
Red Section - 3 Aircraft
Yellow Section- 3 Aircraft

B Flight
Blue Section - 3 Aircraft
Green Section - 3 Aircraft
White Section - 2 Aircraft

[BrianC]

Many thanks, guys

Most interesting, but nothing from official sources so far.


Stay safe
Brian

[Smithy]

Hi Brian,

If you're interested I have 7 pages of diagrams from a Tactical Paper from the AM illustrating flight and section organisation.

PM me if you want me to scan it and send it to you.

BTW hope you're well,

Tim