791 Naval Air Squadron

Last updated

791 Naval Air Squadron
Active15 October 1940 - 10 December 1944
1 November 1945 - 16 June 1947 [1]
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
BranchNaval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
TypeFleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron
Role
  • Air Target Towing Unit
  • Fleet Requirements Unit
Size Squadron
Part of Fleet Air Arm
Insignia
Identification MarkingsA8A+ (up to 1944) [2]
(single letters 1945-1947) [3]
Blackburn Roc, of the type used by 791 NAS. 15 Blackburn Roc Bristol Perseus Engine (15650907050).jpg
Blackburn Roc, of the type used by 791 NAS.

791 Naval Air Squadron (791 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded at Sembawang in June 1947. It formed as an Air Target Towing Unit, at HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, in Scotland, in October 1940. It operated various types of aircraft for target towing duties, used to support air gunnery training and practice. The squadron disbanded in December 1944, at Arbroath. It reformed at RNAS Trincomalee (HMS Bambara), in British Ceylon, (now Sri Lanka), in November 1945, as a Fleet Requirements Unit. The squadron moved to RNAS Sembawang (HMS Simbang), in Singapore, in December 1945, ferried via the escort carrier, HMS Smiter. It also operated a Communications Flight and an Air-Sea Rescue Flight, as well as undertaking anti Mosquito spraying duties.

Contents

History of 791 NAS

Air Target Towing Unit (1940 - 1944)

Fairey Swordfish II, an example of the type used by 791 NAS. LS326 - L2 Fairey Swordfish Mk2 Royal Navy (RNHF). (10610418805).jpg
Fairey Swordfish II, an example of the type used by 791 NAS.

791 Naval Air Squadron formed as an Air Target Towing Unit, on the 15 October 1940, at RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor), [4] located near Arbroath in East Angus, Scotland. The squadron was initially equipped with two Blackburn Roc, a carrier-based turret-armed fighter aircraft, for target towing. [2]

It operated various types of aircraft while at Arbroath, in March 1941 Fairey Albacore, a single-engine biplane torpedo bomber aircraft, were received. One year on, in March 1942, the squadron started using Blackburn Skua, a carrier-based dive bomber/fighter aircraft and Gloster Sea Gladiator single-seat fighter biplane aircraft, fitted with arrestor hooks, and these were followed by Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber aircraft in the April. October 1942 saw the arrival of Supermarine Spitfire, a single-seat fighter aircraft, to the squadron and one year later, in October 1943, Hawker Sea Hurricane, a single-seat fighter aircraft, were received. By the end of that year the squadron received a later variant of Swordfish and in April 1944, it started using the TT III variant of the Boulton Paul Defiant, which was a dedicated turret-less target tug. [4] [3]

791 Naval Air Squadron disbanded as an Air Target Towing Unit, on the 10 December 1944, at RNAS Arbroath. [4]

Fleet Requirements Unit (1945 - 1947)

North American T-6 Harvard, an example of the type operated by 791 NAS. North American T-6 Harvard G-BJST KF729 2 (5923111934).jpg
North American T-6 Harvard, an example of the type operated by 791 NAS.

791 Naval Air Squadron reformed as a Fleet Requirements Unit, on the 1 November 1945, at RNAS Trincomalee (HMS Bambara), located in China Bay in eastern British Ceylon (Sri Lanka). It was equipped with six Vought F4U Corsair, an American fighter aircraft, six Vultee Vengeance, an American dive bomber aircraft, and a single North American Harvard, an American single-engined advanced trainer aircraft. [5] In December, the squadron moved to RNAS Sembawang (HMS Simbang), located at Sembawang, in the northern part of Singapore. [6] HMS Smiter, a Ruler-class escort carrier, was tasked with ferrying aircraft of 888 Naval Air Squadron, to the newly reopened Naval air station in Singapore. They were joined by the Vought Corsair, Vultee Vengeance and North American Harvard aircraft of 791 Naval Air Squadron. The two squadrons disembarked, from Smiter, to RNAS Sembawang, on the 27 December 1945. [7]

April 1946 saw the arrival of two Beech Expediter, an American twin-engined light aircraft. These were followed by three Taylorcraft Auster, British military liaison and observation aircraft, in the October. November 1946 saw the withdrawal of the Corsair aircraft, however, in December, two Supermarine Seafire, a navalised version of the Supermarine Spitfire, were received. The squadron also operated a Communications Flight and an Air-Sea Rescue flight. Australian Vengeance aircraft were acquired and used for DDT spraying against Mosquito flies. [3]

791 Naval Air Squadron disbanded as a Fleet Requirements Unit, on the 16 June 1947, at RNAS Sembawang. [6]

Aircraft operated

791 Naval Air Squadron has operated a number of different aircraft types, including: [3]

791 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy, both in the UK and overseas and a Royal Navy escort aircraft carrier:

Commanding Officers

List of commanding officers of 791 Naval Air Squadron with month and year of appointment:

1940 - 1944 [2]

1945 - 1947 [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">778 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

778 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. During the Second World War the squadron was a Service Trials Unit (STU) initially based at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, England before moving to HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, Angus, Scotland on 6 July 1940. The squadron tested all types of aircraft that could be used by the Royal Navy. Key to this was testing new types for deck landing on aircraft carriers. Such aircraft included various types of Supermarine Seafires, Grumman Hellcats, Grumman Martlets, Grumman Avengers, and Vought Corsairs. The squadron was reformed on 5 November 1951 with Douglas Skyraider AEW.1 but was disbanded on 7 July 1952 to form the basis of 849 Naval Air Squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">731 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

731 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was active between 1943 and 1945 and its sole role throughout its formation was a Deck Landing Control Officer training squadron. Through this role the squadron pilots were nicknamed 'Clockwork Mice'. It was based out of the purpose built airbase, RNAS East Haven , located near Carnoustie, in Scotland, as part of the Deck Landing Training School there.

741 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially active, between 1943 and 1945 as an Observer Training Squadron at RNAS Arbroath. It reformed at RNAS St. Merryn, as an Operational Flying Training Unit in 1946.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">751 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

751 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially active as an Observer Training Squadron from 1939 to 1944 as part of No.1 Observer School. 751 Naval Air Squadron formed at RNAS Ford in May 1939. Ford was attacked and bombed, in August 1940, and the following day the squadron relocated to RNAS Arbroath. Twelve months later it moved to RNAS Dundee, remaining there until disbanding at Dundee in May 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">759 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

759 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was created on November 1, 1939, and was disbanded on December 24, 1969. It was initially intended as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron but became a Fighter School and Pool Squadron in 1939, at RNAS Eastleigh. It operated out of RNAS Yeovilton from 1940 to 1946, as part of the Naval Air Fighter School. In 1943 a detachment operated out of RNAS Angle, working with 794 NAS and known as the Naval Air Firing Unit. It was again the Naval Air Fighter School upon reformation in 1951 and disbandment in 1954, firstly at RNAS Culdrose and then moving to RNAS Lossiemouth, in 1953. The squadron reformed again, this time at RNAS Brawdy in 1963, as the Naval Advanced Flying Training School, before finally disbanding in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">760 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

760 Naval Air Squadron is a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. The squadron first formed in April 1940 as No.1 Fleet Fighter Pool with a variety of aircraft types before standardising in 1941 on the Hawker Sea Hurricane. In this role it disbanded in December 1942. In May 1944 760 NAS briefly reformed as an Anti-Submarine Operational Training Squadron before disbanding into 766 Naval Air Squadron in November. Reformed again as part of No.1 Naval Air Fighter School in April 1945 it converted fighter pilots to the Vought Corsair and then the Supermarine Seafire until 23 January 1946 when it disbanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">761 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

761 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was formed at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, as the Advanced Training Squadron of the Fleet Fighter School, in 1941. The squadron moved to HMS Dipper, RNAS Henstridge, in 1943, as part of the No. 2 Naval Air Fighter School. It remained at HMS Dipper and in this role, until January 1946, when the squadron disbanded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">762 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

762 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It formed at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, in March 1942 as an Advanced Flying Training School. Almost immediately the squadron relocated to HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, but before the end of the year, it was back at HMS Heron. The squadron disbanded nine months later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">763 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

763 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It formed in 1939 as the Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance Pool No. 1, at HMS Kestrel, RNAS Worthy Down. Three months later, it moved to the short-lived RNAS Jersey, in the Channel Islands, before moving back to Worthy Down via HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on Solent and disbanded in 1940. The squadron reformed, on the seaplane carrier HMS Pegasus, as a Seaplane Training Squadron, in 1942. This role lasted around two years and the squadron continually operated and provided training from HMS Pegasus, until disbanding in 1944. Roughly two months later, the squadron reformed again, this time at HMS Nightjar, RNAS Inskip, as an Anti-submarine Operational Training Squadron and remained in this role for just over one year, disbanding in July 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">765 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

765 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It formed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, in May 1939, as a Seaplane School and Pool squadron. The squadron moved to RNAS Sandbanks, in August 1940, where it undertook the Seaplane Flying Training Course Part I. Lieutenant Commander Wilson was appointed as dual officer in charge of the air base, and Commanding officer of 765 NAS. By the middle of 1943, dedicated Seaplane Training schools ended and the squadron disbanded in the October. 765 NAS reformed at RNAS Charlton Horethorne, in early February 1944, as a Travelling Recording Unit. The squadron moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent in March, before moving to RNAS Worthy Down on one month later during April, then in May it moved to RNAS Stretton, were it remained during June.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">767 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

767 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially formed as a Deck Landing Squadron in 1939, when 811 Naval Air Squadron was renumbered 767 NAS, at RNAS Donibristle. A detachment went to Hyeres de la Palyvestre in the south of France, enabling training in fairer conditions. While here, the squadron took on an operational mission, with a bombing attack on the Italian port of Genoa. With the fall of France the squadron evacuated to Algeria, where it split. Part went to Malta, forming 830 Naval Air Squadron, the other part to HMS Ark Royal, with personnel returning to the UK via Gibraltar. The squadron regrouped at RNAS Arbroath and moved to the Deck Landing School at RNAS East Haven in 1943.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">772 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

772 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded during September 1995. 772 Naval Air Squadron formed as a Fleet Requirements Unit out of ‘Y’ Flight from 771 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Lee-on-Solent in September 1939. While the headquarters remained there, floatplanes were operated out of RNAS Portland, however, mid 1940 saw the whole squadron move north to RNAS Campbeltown and roughly twelve months afterwards the short distance to RNAS Machrihanish. The unit moved to RNAS Ayr in July 1944 and became the Fleet Requirements Unit School. In January 1946 the squadron moved to RNAS Burscough in Lancashire, before moving to RNAS Anthorn in Cumberland, in May. It became the Northern Fleet Requirements Unit upon moving to RNAS Arbroath, in June 1947, but disbanded into 771 Naval Air Squadron in October. 772 Naval Air Squadron reformed as a Helicopter Support Squadron at RNAS Portland in September 1974. In September 1977 the squadron took over responsibility for a number of Ships' Flights of Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. The squadron was used to reform 848 Naval Air Squadron for the Falklands Task Force in 1982, with the Ships' Flights absorbed into 847 Naval Air Squadron. In August 1982 it took on the Anti-Submarine Warfare Flight from 737 Naval Air Squadron and between 1983 - 1985 a Search and Rescue Flight operated out of RNAS Lee-on-Solent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">775 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

775 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in March 1946. 775 Naval Air Squadron formed at HMS Grebe, RNAS Dekheila, during November 1940, as a Fleet Requirements Unit in support of the Mediterranean Fleet, based at Alexandria, Egypt. Between October 1941 and March 1942 the squadron also included the RN Fighter Flight. It absorbed 728 Naval Air Squadron in July 1943 and moved to R.N.Air Section Gibraltar at the start of February 1944. The squadron returned to HMS Grebe, RNAS Dekheila during August 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">777 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

777 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, which formed as a Fleet Requirements Unit in West Africa during the Second World War. Throughout most of 1943, the squadron was responsible for the air defence of Sierra Leone. It disbanded at HMS Spurwing, RNAS Hastings, Sierra Leone, during December 1944. The squadron reformed in May 1945, from 'B' Flight of 778 Naval Air Squadron, as a Carrier Trials Unit operating aboard HMS Pretoria Castle, and using shore bases at HMS Siskin, RNAS Gosport, and HMS Peregrine, RNAS Ford in England, and HMS Wagtail, RNAS Ayr, in Scotland. 777 Naval Air Squadron number was assigned to the aircraft collection at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in April 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">780 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

780 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded at HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose in November 1949. 780 Naval Air Squadron formed at HMS Raven, RNAS Eastleigh as a Conversion Course Unit, in October 1939, to train experienced civilian pilots in naval flying. It moved to HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, in October 1940, and later, its role had changed to converting pilots to Fairey Barracuda aircraft. It spent a year at RNAS Charlton Horethorne, before returning to HMS Daedalus and disbanded, early 1945. In March 1946, the squadron reformed at HMS Godwit, RNAS Hinstock, as the Naval Advanced Flying School, to give flying instructors' courses, and later provided Instrument Flying Training. In December, the squadron moved to HMS Jackdaw, RNAS Crail, then in March 1947 moved to HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, and in May to HMS Seahawk as the first resident unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">783 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

783 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in November 1949. 783 Naval Air Squadron was formed as an ASV Training Squadron at HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, Scotland, in January 1941. It operated a number of ‘flying classroom’ aircraft alongside other types. It operated in conjunction with the Naval Air Signals School (NASS) from March 1943. The squadron moved to HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, England, when the NASS moved south, also supporting the Flag Officer, Air, Home Communications Officer and from July 1948,it was part of the 51st Miscellaneous Air Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">787 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

787 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded in January 1956. It formed in March 1941, at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, out of 804 Naval Air Squadron as a Fleet Fighter Development Unit. Almost every type of fighter was received by the squadron for testing and evaluation for naval use. A move to RAF Duxford in June 1941 saw it become the Naval Air Fighting Development Unit, attached to the Royal Air Force's Air Fighting Development Unit. The squadron undertook rocket projectile test, continuous development of fighter tactics and even helping Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons in evading fighter attack. Post Second World War it continued its trials task and also undertook Rebecca radar trials and ASH, US-built air-to-surface vessel radar trials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">790 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

790 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded in November 1949 at RNAS Culdrose. It initially formed during 1941 as an Air Target Towing Unit, at HMS Landrail, RNAS Macrihanish, in Scotland, from elements of two other Fleet Air Arm squadrons, however, this only lasted for three months and the unit was disbanded, absorbed into 772 Naval Air Squadron. It reformed the following year, in July 1942, tasked as a Fighter Direction Training Unit, at RNAS Charlton Horethorne. It provided support for the Fighter Direction School and had short spells at RAF Culmhead and RNAS Zeals, before reloacting to RNAS Dale in Pembrokeshire, next to the new purpose built Air Direction School, HMS Harrier or RNADC Kete, in 1945. The squadron moved to HMS Seahawk in Cornwall during December 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">794 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

794 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded in March 1947. The squadron formed as an Air Target Towing Squadron, at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, during August 1940, although operated target tug aircraft out of the satellite, RNAS Haldon. In April 1943 it provided a detachment at RAF Warmwell as an air firing unit and three months later the squadron relocated to RNAS Angle and became the Naval Air Firing Unit. Further moves followed in quick succession, to HMS Goldcrest, RNAS Dale, in September, HMS Dipper, RNAS Henstridge, in November and HMS Heron II, RNAS Charlton Horethorne in December and by which time the squadron was designated No. 1 Naval Air Firing Unit, but disbanded in June 1944. The squadron reformed at HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, in January 1945, as the School of Air Firing and later in the year was tasked to support the newly-formed Ground Attack School. It moved to HMS Gannet, RNAS Eglinton, during August, and at this point had three flights providing courses for aerial warfare, airstrike and aerial reconnaissance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">798 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

798 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded in March 1946. It formed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, in October 1943, to provide advanced conversion courses, it initially operated with various single and twin-engined aircraft. Twin-engined aircraft broke away to become 762 Naval Air Squadron during March 1944. It had a detachment at RNAS Stretton for operational training for new Fairey Barracuda squadrons, but returned to HMS Daedalus at the beginning of August. The unit’s role changed slightly during 1945, providing refresher training, including Fleet Air Arm ex-Prisoners of War at RNAS Halesworth. The squadron moved to RNAS Hinstock, although operated out of its satellite RNAS Peplow, during November 1945.

References

Citations

  1. Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 115.
  2. 1 2 3 Wragg 2019, p. 137.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Ballance 2016, p. 93.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "RNAS Arbroath". www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  5. 1 2 "RNAS Trincomalee". www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 "RNAS Sembawang". www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  7. 1 2 "HMS Smiter". www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2023.

Bibliography