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| Click Here For Full Artist Print Indexes | Aviation History Archive |
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Aviation Art Prints  Countries UK Squadron Index More Squadrons Squadrons 489 to 620  No.609 Sqn |
[UP] - No.489 Sqn RNZAF - No.501 Sqn - No.504 Sqn - No.514 Sqn - No.542 Sqn - No.550 Sqn - No.571 Sqn - No.576 Sqn - No.578 Sqn - No.601 Sqn - No.602 Sqn - No.603 Sqn - No.604 Sqn - No.605 Sqn - No.607 Sqn - No.609 Sqn - No.610 Sqn - No.611 Sqn - No.613 Sqn - No.615 Sqn - No.616 Sqn - No.619 Sqn - No.620 Sqn |
No.609 Sqn
Country : UK
Founded : 10th February 1936
Disbanded 10th March 1957
Codes : , PR, BL,
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 Aviation Art Prints, Paintings and Drawings Aviation Art |
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| Text for the above items : |
Top Cover by Philip West. Flt/Lt John Dundas, having already notched up eleven victories to his name during the Battle of Britain 1940, is viewed out on the last patrol of the day off the Isle of Wight. In a few moments he will be heading back to his base at Middle Wallop. Days later, John Dundas shot down the then leading German air-ace, Major Helmut Wick. Sadly Dundas, in turn, lost his life to Wick's wingman. He had fought with bravery but like so many of the few he paid the ultimate price, fighting for our freedom. |
A Busy Day at the Office by Ivan Berryman. 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. |
Hard Hitter by Ivan Berryman. 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. |
Supermarine Spitfire MkI by Philip West. High over the southern coast of England in 1940 a Spitfire (Mk 1) of 609 Squadron from Middle Wallop, flown by Flying Officer John Dundas, lies in wait for enemy aircraft (Junkers 87 divebombers) on their way to attack British naval installations at Portland. |
Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1a by Keith Woodcock. RAF Spitfires of No.609 (West Riding) Squadron are made ready for another sortie. At the outbreak of war, the squadron was called up to full-time service and initially served on defensive duties in the North of England. In May 1940, the squadron moved to RAF Northolt and flew over the Battle of Dunkirk during Operation Dynamo. Around this period, one third of the squadron's pilots were lost over a period of three days. During the Battle of Britain, 609 Squadron moved to RAF Middle Wallop as part of Fighter Command's efforts to defend the south coast of England, west of London. There was also an advanced flight based at RAF Warmwell. At this time, one third of the RAF's front-line squadrons were from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. During August 1940 609 Squadron destroyed 46 enemy aircraft, however, by now almost all of the pre war auxiliary pilots were dead or missing. On 21st October 1940 the squadron became the first to achieve 100 confirmed enemy aircraft kills. Boasting 9 aces, pilots F/L Frank Howell (8 confirmed kills), F/L John Dundas (9 confirmed kills), P/O David Moore Crook (6 confirmed kills) and P/O John Curchin (7 confirmed kills) were among several awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their efforts during the battle. A Spitfire that flew with 609 Squadron during this period, number X4590, is now preserved at the RAF Museum, Hendon. Another 609 Squadron Spitfire, number R6915, is preserved in the Imperial War Museum, London. This aircraft scored victories while piloted both by John Dundas and another 609 Squadron ace, Noel Agazarian. During February 1941 the squadron moved to RAF Biggin Hill. Almost all of the squadron's original pilots were now lost and replacements came from Belgium, Poland, Canada, Australia, France, United States, and New Zealand in addition to those from Britain. During the summer of 1941, 609 Squadron carried out fighter sweeps over France. In November 1941, the squadron was withdrawn from the front line, after 18 months continuous fighting and rested at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire. While at Biggin Hill, the squadron acquired a goat, soon named William, which became their official mascot. He was awarded an honorary Distinguished Service Order and Flying Cross, and the rank of Air Commodore. |
Typhoon! by Ivan Berryman. 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. |
F/Lt J R Baldwin by Ivan Berryman. F/Lt (later Wing Commander) Baldwin was to become the highest-scoring Typhoon pilot of all with 15 confirmed victories, one shared, one probable and four damaged. He is depicted here downing a Bf.109 in Typhoon 1B, DN360 (PR-A) of 609 Sqn over Beachy Head. |
Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ia X4590 PR-F. by M A Kinnear. Aircraft History: First flight 30th September, 1940. Delivered to 609 West Riding Squadron October, 1940. On 21st October, 1940, whilst flown by pilot officer S J Hill it shared in the destruction of a Ju88 which was 609 Squadrons 100th victory. X4590 was damaged on 25th October, 1940. After repair it was delivered to 66 Squadron. This aircraft is now preserved in its 609 Squadron markings in the Battle of Britain Hall at the RAF Museum, Hendon. Pilot Officer Sydney Jenkyn Hill: Born April 1917, Sydney Hill joined 609 West Riding Squadron at RAF Middle Wallop in October 1940. On 21st October, 1940, whilst flying Spitfire Mk I PR-F serial X4590 he shared in the destruction of 609 Squadrons 100th victory (a Ju88) with Flight Lieutenant F. J Howell, DFC. On 18th June, 1941, whilst flying Spitfire MKVb PR-H serial W3211, he engaged Bf109s off Cap Gris Nez. Although his aircraft was damaged he managed to get back to the English coast and was seen gliding down towards Dover. Sadly, he crashed 5 miles west of Dover and was killed. |
Southern Patrol by Philip West. During the battle of Britain, 609 Squadron (PR) and 152 Squadron (UM) were pitting themselves against the Luftwaffe. 609 based at Middle Wallop near Andover and 152 operating from Warmwell were tasked with protecting part of 10 Groups Southern Sector. |
Red Section Scramble by Ivan Berryman. 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 Johnny Wiseman, the other, DN294 (PR-O) being the mount of Fl Sgt Alan Babe 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. |
Spitfires Over the Needles by Philip West. Battle of Britain, July 1940. Spitfires of 609 Squadron returning to their satellite station airfield at Warmwell to re-arm and re-fuel, following an intercept mission against enemy aircraft trying to disrupt shipping along the South Coast of England. Like many other RAF Squadrons, No 609 the (West Riding) Auxiliary Squadron distinguished itself in many great air battles with honour and courage. |
Typhoon Scramble by Stephen Brown. RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk IBs of 609 Squadron embark on a ground attack mission, head for targets in Northern France. Once initial problems with the tail section were resolved the Typhoon proved to be extremely rugged and reliable and was ideally suited to the ground attack role. |
Spitfire Tally-Ho by Geoff Lea. Depicting Spitfire of 609 squadron during the Battle of Britain. |
Into the Blue by Simon Atack. A classic view of a Mk I Spitfire belonging to 609 Squadron, flown by Battle of Britain ace John Bisdee, high over South East England in that fateful summer of 1940. After the first fifteen months of the war this famous fighter squadron, initially made up of week-end flyers, became the first RAF squadron to claim 100 victories. Made up of pilots from so many nations, 609 Squadron was described as the most international brotherhood in arms since the Crusades. This evocative image, endorsed by Battle of Britain Spitfire pilots, pays tribute to all those who flew and fought this supreme little fighter in the hostile skies of war-torn Europe, so long ago. |
Typhoon Attack by Robert Taylor. Sqd Ldr Beamont leads the Typhoons of no. 609 Squadron in an attack on heavily armed German shipping in the Channel. |
| Aces for : No.609 Sqn RAF | ||
| A list of all Aces from our database who are known to have flown with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking the pilots name. | ||
| Name | Victories | Info |
| J R Baldwin | 15.00 | |
| John Bisdee | 8.00 | The signature of John Bisdee features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
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