Hey all, I've been looking at the 38 Group website, and 196 Squadron's OC in January 1946, W/C J. Blackburn, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, DFC (US) flew the record of 5 operational tours (150 missions) during World War Two. Guy Gibson flew 175, but I think when he was seconded to the "Dambusters", he was on his third tour.
I'm afraid many people repeat the 175 missions, but are incorrect. He completed his first tour of 27 operational sorties (which is the correct terminology rather than missions) with 83 Squadron. He completed 46 with 106 Squadron. And one with 617. So a total of 74, minus his final one in which he was killed. The 175 comes about because inbetween his tours with 83 and 106 Squadrons, he did a tour with Fighter Command, flying Beaus. Though he completed 99 sorties, these do not count with the above total because FC used operational hours for a tour.
