List of Fleet Air Arm aircraft squadrons

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Four Sea Harrier FA2s of 801 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, are shown flying in formation
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Royal Navy Merlin HM2 on HMS Illustrious
McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom FG1 of 892 Naval Air Squadron McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom FG1, UK - Navy AN1159113.jpg
McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom FG1 of 892 Naval Air Squadron

This is a List of Fleet Air Arm aircraft squadrons. The primary organisational structure for aerial operations within the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is represented by squadrons. These include frontline combat squadrons which were designated with the numerical ranges of 800-899, 1700-1799, and 1800-1899. In contrast, the numerical range of 700-799 was allocated for training and support squadrons.

Contents

Established on 1 April 1924, the Fleet Air Arm included all Royal Air Force aircraft that were deployed from aircraft carriers and other naval vessels. On 24 May 1939, the administrative management of the Fleet Air Arm, which serves as the naval aviation branch of the Royal Navy, was transferred from the Royal Air Force to the Admiralty as a result of the "Inskip Award". At the beginning of the Second World War, the Fleet Air Arm comprised merely twenty squadrons. [1]

Squadrons presented in bold typeface are presently operational within the Royal Navy's naval aviation component, the Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons in underline subsequently commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons in italics subsequently commissioned into the Netherlands Naval Aviation Service. Squadrons subsequently transferred to or formed within the Royal Canadian Navy are denoted with the suffix RCN in their title.

Royal Air Force

With the formation of the Fleet Air Arm in 1924, as a part of the Royal Air Force, blocks of squadron numbers were used. Numbers 401-439 were Fleet Fighter / Spotter Flights, assigned to Royal Navy battleships and cruisers. [2] Numbers 440-459 were Fleet Reconnaissance Flights, many later becoming Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance Flights, and Number 460 onwards, as Fleet Torpedo Flights, later becoming Torpedo Bomber Flights. [3]

The 700 and 800 series numbers were designated for squadrons within the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force, following the consolidation of the Fleet Air Arm flights into squadrons beginning in 1933. Upon the transfer of the Fleet Air Arm management to the Admiralty, this series of squadron numbers was subsequently adopted, resulting in no further allocation of numbers from this block to Royal Air Force squadrons. [4]

Royal Navy

The 700 and 800 series numbers were retained when the Admiralty regained full control of the Fleet Air Arm in 1939.

Numbering and role

Numbers 700-749 were for catapult flights and squadrons, but eventually these all merged into 700 Naval Air Squadron, leaving Numbers 701-710 for amphibian and floatplane squadrons from 1943 onwards. Numbers 750-799, were assigned for training and ancillary squadrons (in contrast to the RAF practice at the time of not assigning squadron numbers to training units). [2]

Front line combat squadrons were Numbers 800-899 and broken down into categories: [3] Numbers 800-809 were allocated for fighter squadrons, numbers 810-819 were for torpedo bomber squadrons, then later torpedo spotter reconnaissance (TSR) squadrons and torpedo bomber reconnaissance (TBR) squadrons, Numbers. 820-859 were initially spotter reconnaissance squadrons, then later becoming TSR squadrons and finally, TBR squadrons. Originally, TBR squadrons included numbers 860-869, but these were assigned to Dutch-crewed and then Royal Netherlands Navy squadrons. Numbers 870-899 were initially for single-seat fighter squadrons, but numbers 870-879 were later assigned to the Royal Canadian Navy squadrons. As these numbers ran out, new series prefixed by '1' were allocated. Leaving aside unused blocks, Numbers 1700-1749 became torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons and two-seat fighter squadrons were numbers 1770-1799. Dive bomber squadrons were numbers 1810-1829 and numbers 1830-1899 were for single-seat fighter squadrons. [1]

Front Line Squadrons (Nos. 800 to 899)

Squadrons presented in bold typeface are presently operational within the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Those indicated with an underline have been subsequently commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons italicized have been later commissioned into the Netherlands Naval Aviation Service. Additionally, squadrons that have been transferred to or established within the Royal Canadian Navy are identified by the suffix RCN in their designation.

Nos. 800 to 809

Single-seat fighter squadrons for aircraft carriers.

Nos. 810 to 819

Torpedo Bomber squadrons for aircraft carriers, then later Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance and Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons.

Nos. 820 to 859

Spotter Reconnaissance Squadrons, later Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance and Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons.

Note: 839, 843, 844, 858 and 859 Naval Air Squadrons did not form. [14]

Nos. 860 to 869

Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons; Later reserved for Dutch-crewed and then Royal Netherlands Navy squadrons.

Note: 862-869 Naval Air Squadrons did not form. [16]

Nos. 870 to 879

Single-seat fighter squadrons. Nos. 870-879 were reserved for use by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 1951. [16]

Note: Nos. 872-876 Naval Air Squadrons did not form. [17]

Nos. 880 to 899

Single-seat fighter squadrons for aircraft carriers. Nos. 880, 881 and 883 were subsequently used by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). [18]

Front Line Squadrons (Nos. 1700 to 1799)

Squadrons presented in bold typeface are presently operational within the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm.

Nos. 1700 to 1749

Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons, reallocated to Amphibian Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons.

Nos. 1750 to 1769

Single-seat fighter squadrons (not adopted).

Nos. 1770 to 1799

Two-seat fighter squadrons.

Note: Nos. 1773-1789 and 1793-1799 were never formed. Nos. 1773 to 1775 Squadrons were planned to form in 1945 for the British Pacific Fleet, but this never transpired. [27]

Front Line Squadrons (Nos. 1800 to 1899)

Nos. 1800 to 1809

Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance units (not adopted).

Nos. 1810 to 1829

Dive-bomber squadrons.

Note: Nos. 1810-1819 and 1821-1829 were never formed.

Nos. 1830 to 1899

Single-seat fighter squadrons.

Note: Nos. 1854-1899 were never formed. The Reserve Squadrons later used Nos. 1830-1836 and 1840-1844 for Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Air Branch squadrons and Nos. 1831 and 1832 were Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch squadrons.

Second Line Squadrons (Nos. 700 to 799)

Squadrons presented in bold typeface are presently operational within the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons in underline subsequently commissioned into Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons that have been transferred to or established within the Royal Canadian Navy are identified by the suffix RCN in their designation.

Nos. 700 to 749

Initially designated for Catapult flights, the area later evolved into catapult squadrons. Following the dissolution of these squadrons, the range was repurposed for training and support squadrons. Numbers 700 to 710 were designated for the utilisation of amphibian and floatplane squadrons in 1943; however, this designation was subsequently discontinued. When these ceased to exist the range became available for training and ancillary squadrons.

Nos. 750 to 799

Numbers 750 to 799 were allocated for training and support squadrons.

Reserve Squadrons

Nos. 1830 to 1836 and 1840 to 1844 were designated for the squadrons of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Air Branch during the period from 1947 to 1957 and subsequently formed into five divisions from 1952. [52]

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Air Branch squadrons

Scottish Air Division
Northern Air Division
Midland Air Division
Southern Air Division
Channel Air Division

Nos. 1831 and 1832 were repurposed for the Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch squadrons between 1980 and 1982.

Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch squadrons

Aircraft Ferry Units

Aircraft collection and delivery

See also

Fleet Air Arm

Royal Australian Navy

Royal Air Force

Others

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 "RN Air Squadrons Home Page". Royal Navy Research Archive - Royal Naval Air Squadrons 1938 - present day. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 Wragg 2019, p. 110.
  3. 1 2 Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. xx.
  4. ↑ "Sqn Histories 712-825". rafweb.org. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "Immortals return: 809 Squadron rises from the ashes to operate the F-35B". forces.net. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "814 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "815 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  8. ↑ "820 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "824 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  10. ↑ "825 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  11. ↑ "845 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  12. ↑ "846 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  13. ↑ "847 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  14. ↑ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, pp. 206–241.
  15. ↑ "Fleet Air Arm 860 Squadron". Squadron Database of the Fleet Air Arm Archive 1939-1945. 2005. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  16. 1 2 Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 245.
  17. ↑ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 247.
  18. ↑ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, pp. 250, 252&254.
  19. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 336.
  20. ↑ "1700 Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  21. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 337.
  22. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 338.
  23. ↑ "1710 Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  24. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 339.
  25. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 340.
  26. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 341.
  27. ↑ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 279.
  28. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 342.
  29. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 343.
  30. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 344.
  31. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 347.
  32. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 348.
  33. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 349.
  34. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 350.
  35. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 351.
  36. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 352.
  37. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 353.
  38. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 354.
  39. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 355.
  40. ↑ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 356.
  41. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 357.
  42. 1 2 3 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 358.
  43. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 359.
  44. 1 2 Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 360.
  45. ↑ "700X Naval Air Squadron". royalnavy.mod.uk. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  46. ↑ "Peregrine rotary wing UAS conducts initial Royal Navy flying trials from HMS Lancaster". Navy Lookout. 11 September 2024.
  47. ↑ "Perfect Prefect" (PDF). Navy News . April 2019. p. 19. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  48. ↑ "Airbus Helicopters Juno HT.1". airtattoo.com. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  49. ↑ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 34.
  50. ↑ "744 Naval Air Squadron". royalnavy.mod.uk. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  51. ↑ "750 Naval Air Squadron - Royal Navy". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  52. ↑ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 312.
  53. 1 2 Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 325.
  54. ↑ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 326.

Bibliography

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