It transferred, in April 1940, to HMSGlorious to provide air cover for the ferrying of the Royal Air Force's 269 Squadron's Gloster Gladiators to Norway, after the German invasion. This was a brief assignment and in early May the squadron was transferred to HMSFurious via the Royal Naval Air Station at Campbeltown, thus missing Glorious's sinking. Between May and September 1940, 804 Squadron returned to RNAS Hatston, and was subsequently recognised as one of the two FAA squadrons that operated with RAF Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain.[2][4]
The last picture of Glorious before her final battle, escorted by HMSDiana
In July 1942, the squadron escorted Gibraltar convoys on board HMSArgus and later, in October, now equipped with Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk.IIc, joined HMSDasher for the Operation Torch, the North African landings. The squadron was re-equipped yet again in August 1943 with Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I fighter aircraft and in October formed part of the 7th Naval Fighter Wing. Two months later they embarked on HMSEmperor and accompanied a US-bound convoy.[2]
The Seafire F Mk.XV represented the inaugural variant powered by the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine. In addition to utilising the Griffon Mk VI, it also distinguished itself from previous Seafire models by featuring an enhanced fuel capacity and a single-type arrestor hook.[9] The ultimate iteration of the Seafire to be deployed was the Mk.47, which served as the naval variant of the Spitfire F Mk 24. This model was completely adapted for naval operations, featuring folding wings that folded upwards just outside the wheel wells. All Seafire Mk.47s were equipped with a six-bladed contra-rotating propeller, a bubble canopy, and a tail assembly reminiscent of the Spiteful and entered first-line service in the FAA with 804 Squadron at RNAS Ford (HMS Peregrine), West Sussex.[10]
In January 1948, the squadron was re-equipped with thirteen Supermarine Seafire FR Mk.47s, which subsequently embarked on the Colossus-class light fleet carrier HMSOcean in August for deployment in the Mediterranean.[11]
The Hawker Sea Fury represented the final piston-engine fighter utilised by the Fleet Air Arm in front-line squadrons, operating from 1947 to 1955. It was notable for being the first British naval aircraft to feature power-folding wings in regular service. The Sea Fury commenced its operational service in the late summer of 1947.[12]
In July 1949, 804 Squadron was re-equipped with thirteen Hawker Sea Fury FB.11s, which subsequently joined the Colossus-class light fleet carrier HMSGlory in December. They remained in the Mediterranean until they were deployed to operate in Korean waters from April to October 1951, with an expanded complement of twenty-one aircraft. Following a withdrawal to Singapore for the acquisition of new aircraft, a duration was spent in Australia, after which the ship proceeded north for additional operations in Korea from February to April 1952. Upon returning to the Mediterranean, the squadron was transferred to a sister shipHMSTheseus in Malta, subsequently disembarking at RNAS Lee-on-Solent HMS (Daedalus), Hampshire. Periods were later spent aboard both HMS Theseus and the Illustrious classfleet carrierHMSIndomitable.[13][14]
Sea Hawk (1953-1959)
In November 1953, the 804 Naval Air Squadron transitioned to twelve Sea Hawk F.1 jet fighters at RNAS Lossiemouth (HMS Fulmar), located in Moray.[8] The Hawker Sea Hawk was first introduced to the FAA squadron in 1953, replacing the Supermarine Attacker jet and the Hawker Sea Fury piston-engine fighters.[15] These were substituted in December 1954 with the FGA.4, which was the first variant designed for fighter and ground attack purposes. In May 1955, the squadron embarked on a Mediterranean cruise aboard the Audacious-class aircraft carrierHMSEagle, which was succeeded by a Norwegian exercise in October. Subsequently, on 17 November, the squadron was disbanded upon its arrival at HMNB Devonport.[16]
In February 1956, 804 Squadron was reformed with eleven Sea Hawk FGA.6 aircraft, which it embarked upon in HMSBulwark in June. Following a brief period in Home Waters,[13] the vessel proceeded to the Mediterranean, where its squadrons engaged in the Suez operations in November, conducting attacks on Egyptian airfields and providing support for ground forces.[17] Subsequently, the aircraft were returned to the UK, where they embarked in the Audacious-class aircraft carrier HMSArk Royal in February 1957. After transferring to HMSAlbion in July 1958, the ship set sail for the Far East three months later, including visits to Australia in February 1959. In May, the ship returned home, and 804 Squadron was disbanded at RNAS Brawdy (HMS Goldcrest), Pembrokeshire, on 30 September.[16]
Scimitar (1960-1961)
Upon the squadron's subsequent reformation at RNAS Lossiemouth, in March 1960, it was equipped with six Scimitar F.1s, under the command Lieutenant Commander T. Binney, RN.[18] The Supermarine Scimitar was the first swept-wing, single-seat fighter introduced by the FAA, signifying a major milestone as the initial aircraft in the FAA to reach supersonic speeds. Furthermore, it was the first aircraft utilised by the FAA that had the ability to transport an atomic bomb.[19]
The squadron embarked in the Centaur class light fleet carrier HMSHermes, in July, subsequent to a rigorous phase of preparation. In July and August, the carrier was in the Mediterranean before making its return journey and reaching Rosyth in early September. The carrier set sail again in the middle of the month to engage in a NATO exercise off the Norwegian coast. Upon returning home, 804 squadron remained a shore until 28 November, when they flew to RAF North Front in Gibraltar to reunite with HMS Hermes. Following an exercise, the carrier navigated through Suez to Aden and 804 spent Christmas Day in Ceylon. The next day, HMS Hermes resumed its voyage, arriving in Singapore on New Year’s Eve.[20]
HMSHermes At Subic Bay, Philippines. 18 January 1961.
The winter of 1960-61 was dedicated to operations in the Far East.[8] During January the carrier visited Subic Bay in the Philippines, then Hong Kong and arrived back at Singapore for maintenance in early February. Heading back to the UK, on the way, the it participated in an exercise before arriving at Aden and then Malta and back to the UK mid April April, where the squadron flew off and headed back to RNAS Lossiemouth.[20]
804 re-joined HMS Hermes once more at the end of May[16] for training exercises in the English Channel, where the squadron accomplished its 1,000th carrier landing. After departing again for exercises mid June, the carrier returned to Portsmouth by 22 and was en route to NAS Norfolk, Virginia, USA on 30 when developments in the Middle East necessitated her orders to Gibraltar. Upon reaching the Rock on, it was determined that the situation in Kuwait did not require the presence of HMS Hermes.[20]
The squadron disembarked from the carrier on 10 September for a non-stop flight to RNAS Lossiemouth, where the squadron disbanded on 15 September 1961.[20][16]
Aircraft flown
The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types, including:[16]
Angelucci, Enzo. The American Fighter: The Definitive Guide to American Fighter Aircraft From 1917 to the Present. New York: Orion Books, 1987. ISBN0-517-56588-9.
Ballance, Theo; Howard, Lee; Sturtivant, Ray (2016). The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm. Air Britain Historians Limited. ISBN978-0-85130-489-2.
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