1426 Enemy Aircraft Flight Spitfire escorts

[bloodhound1234]

Does anybody have details of the RAF Spitfire escorts that accompanied 1426 Enemy Aircraft Flight visiting RAF airfields circa April 1942. I understand a Monospar was used to carry spares and a pair of Spitfires as escorts. Was this a particular RAF unit that provided the escorts or just random aircraft that became available ?

[Graham Boak]

A photo taken after a FW190 visit to Yeovilton shows it being escorted by two FAA Spitfires (not Seafires) so I suggest that such escorts were provided by the host units, but I've seen no definitive ruling.

[bloodhound1234]

There doesn't seem to be a definite unit allocated to the Flight for the purpose of escort duties. At the time of their visit to Lincolnshire there were a number of airfields housing Spitfire squadrons, Digby, Kirton in Lindsey and Hibaldstow for example but none of the squadrons based at those airfields describe escort duties for the Enemy Aircraft Flight at that time. I supposes the answer will be somewhere in the collection of the National Archives. Its just knowing where to look ?

[AndrewClark]

I'm not sure if this helps but the elusive Air Fighting Demonstration Squadron was also part of the AFDU until early 1944, I think, and was equipped with Spitfires. Perhaps it provided escorts, when necessary, for the aircraft of its 'sister' unit?

[pete102]

According to the Pocklington Station ORB, when they visited Pocklington and Marston Moor in May 1942 fighter escort was provided by aircraft from Church Fenton.

[AndrewClark]

That would also make sense, Pete102. Maybe there were adhoc arrangements for each visit.....