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No.609 Sqn RAF - Squadron Profile.

No.609 Sqn RAF

Founded : 10th February 1936
Country : UK
Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957
Known Aircraft Codes : PR, BL

West Riding (Auxiliary)

Tally ho!

609 (West Riding) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force: 609 Squadron came into being on the 10th February 1936 as part of the expanding Auxiliary Air Force. Initially a bomber squadron equipped with Hawker Harts. On 8th December, 1938, the Squadrons role was changed from bomber to fighter and the squadron took delivery of its first Spitfires Mk I during August 1939. The squadrons first victory was a Heinkel HE111 H-2 of 2/KG26 which was shot down near St. Abbs Head, 27th February 1940, by Flying Officer G. D. Ayre, Pilot Officer J R Buchanan and Flying Officer D Persse-Joynt. 609 squadron was, it is said, the first Spitfire Squadron to reach 100 victories (Ju88 A-5 1/KG51) on 21st October 1940. The victory was shared by Flight Lieutenant F J Howell and Pilot Officer S J Hill. During April 1942, 609 began to replace its Spitfires with Hawker Typhoons, and went on to become the first Typhoon squadron with 227 victories. Based at many RAF Stations 609 was in action throughout WWII, covering the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain and supporting the D-Day landings as part of the 2nd TAF. There were many decorations awarded to squadron members, these included 3 DSOs, 22 DFCs and Bars and 4 DFMs. On 16th December 1947, King George VI gave permission for use of the Royal Prefix for all Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons. 609 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was disbanded on 10th March 1957, whilst equipped with Gloster Meteors F8 at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire. On 1st October, 1999, 609 (west Riding) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, was re-formed at RAF Leeming operating in the guise of Air Defence Support Squadron (ADSS).

No.609 Sqn RAF


Latest No.609 Sqn RAF Artwork Releases !
So often overshadowed by its own achievements as a ground attack aircraft, Hawkers mighty Typhoon also proved itself a formidable adversary in air to air combat as demonstrated by the successes of F/Lt (later Wing Commander) J R Baldwin who claimed no fewer than three Bf.109G4s in the skies above Kent on 20th January 1943 in a single sortie. Baldwin finished the war as the highest-scoring Typhoon pilot of all with 15 confirmed victories, one shared, one probable and four damaged. He was tragically lost over Korea in 1952 whilst on an exchange posting with the USAF, but is depicted here at the peak of his powers, flying Typhoon 1B DN360 (PR-A) of 609 Sqn.

Typhoon! by Ivan Berryman. (PC)		 609 Sqn Hawker Typhoons are shown taking off from Manson in Kent in February 1943. Nearest aircraft, R7872 (PR-S) is that of Sgt John <i>Johnny</i> Wiseman, the other, DN294 (PR-O) being the mount of Fl Sgt Alan <i>Babe</i> Haddon. Both aircraft were tragically lost during an action on 14th February, the pair being taken by surprise by Focke-Wulf 190s over the Channel, Wiseman losing his life in the incident.

Red Section Scramble by Ivan Berryman. (PC)		 The leadership qualities and grim determination of Squadron Leader J R Baldwin was seldom better demonstrated that when he led a small flight of Hawker Typhoons against a force of some thirty Focke-Wulf Fw.190s in January 1944. Nine of the German aircraft were shot down that day, Baldwin himself being responsible for two of them. He is shown here in Typhoon PR-A of No.609 Squadron.

A Busy Day at the Office by Ivan Berryman. (PC)		 Whilst in command of 609 Sqn in January 1944, F/Lt (later Wing Commander) J R Baldwin, leading a small formation of Hawker Typhoon 1Bs, encountered thirty Focke-Wulf Fw190s and engaged them in a furious battle. Nine enemy aircraft were shot down in the action, Baldwin accounting for two of them himself. He went on to finish the war as the highest-scoring Typhoon pilot of all with 15 confirmed victories, one shared, one probable and four damaged. He is depicted here, flying DN360 with the codes PR-A.

Hard Hitter by Ivan Berryman. (PC)

No.609 Sqn RAF Artwork Collection
Click the images below to view the fantastic artwork we have available to purchase!



Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia X4590 PR-F. by M A Kinnear.


Typhoon Attack by Robert Taylor.


F/Lt J R Baldwin by Ivan Berryman.


Hard Hitter by Ivan Berryman.


Red Section Scramble by Ivan Berryman.


Clipped Signature - John Bisdee.


Clipped Signature - Ron Grant.


Clipped Signature - Raymond A Lallemant.


Spitfire Tally-Ho by Geoff Lea.


Spitfires Over the Needles by Philip West.


Typhoon! by Ivan Berryman.


A Busy Day at the Office by Ivan Berryman.


Supermarine Spitfire MkI by Philip West.


Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1a by Keith Woodcock.


Southern Patrol by Philip West.


Into the Blue by Simon Atack.


Typhoon Scramble by Stephen Brown.


Top Cover by Philip West.

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