[Pursuivant]

This is an extremely simplified list of operational RAF Coastal Command aircraft from 1939-42.

Coastal Command was charged with protecting Great Britain's coasts and shipping. Its primary task was to destroy U-Boats and to provide convoy protection, but Coastal Command aircraft were also used to attack German shipping and patrol aircraft.

Additionally, Coastal Command provided an unsung but vital service with its meteorological flights, which gave the Allies advanced knowledge of likely weather conditions over Occupied Europe. This research was typically used to plan bombing raids, but most famously was used to determine that there would be a break in bad weather on June 5-6 1944.

There was a constant tension between Bomber Command and Coastal Command for priority in getting medium and heavy bomber types, and between Coastal Command and Fighter Command in obtaining heavy fighter types. Coastal Command variants of common aircraft types were typically fitted with Air-to-Surface Radar, extra navigation aids, and weapons systems which were specific to hunting submarines.

Coastal command also operated a few lighter aircraft, such as fighters, but these were primarily used for recon and meteorological work.

Coastal Command Aircraft 3 September 1939
Light Patrol Bomber: Anson
Medium Patrol Bomber: Hudson
Heavy Patrol Bomber Seaplane: London, Stranraer, Sunderland
Light Torpedo Bomber: Vildebeest


Coastal Command Aircraft 1 November 1940
Carrier Torpedo Bomber: Swordfish
Heavy Patrol Bomber Flying Boat: Lerwick, London, Stranraer, Sunderland
Heavy Patrol Bomber: Whitley
Heavy Strike Fighter/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufighter
Heavy Torpedo Bomber/Light Patrol Bomber: Beaufort
Liaison/Light Bomber: Battle
Light Patrol Bomber: Anson
Medium Patrol Bomber: Blenheim, Hudson
Transport/Medium Bomber: Botha


Coastal Command Aircraft 12 February 1942
Fighter/Light Recon: Gladiator, Spitfire
Heavy Patrol Bomber Seaplane: Catalina, Sunderland
Heavy Patrol Bomber: Fortress, Liberator, Whitley
Heavy Strike Fighter/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufighter
Light Bomber/Torpedo Bomber: Beaufort
Light Patrol Bomber: Anson
Medium Patrol Bomber: Blenheim, Hampden, Hudson, Wellington