List of military equipment of the Canadian Army in World War II

Last updated

Flag of Canada used during WWII Canadian Red Ensign 1921-1957.svg
Flag of Canada used during WWII

At the beginning of the Second World War, Canada did not have an extensive manufacturing industry besides car manufacturing. Therefore, most of Canadian weapons and equipment during the war were imported from either Britain or the US.

Contents

Knives and bayonets

ModelFromBlade lengthComments
Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife 194118 cmVarious models.
Ross bayonet1905 ?Stepped guard on early model, flat on later model. Sharpened later models were taken overseas in World War I.
P1907 bayonet1907 ?Used on No. 1 rifle (previously called SMLE)
No. 4 MK. II bayonet1941 ?Used on No. 4 MK. I, No. 4 MK. I* and Sten MK. V
M346?90mmStandard issue containing a 90mm sheeps foot blade, a 40mm stab/can opener blade, a 100mm fid/ marlin spike and a lanyard bale wire loop, based on the Case Model 6353/1905. Manufactured by Case in the USA for the Canadian Military until 1948 when production moved to Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. Markings include "Case XX Metal Stampings" on the base of the sheeps foot blade and a C with a broad arrow inside stamped on the scales (case) normally near the rivet holding the blades. [1]
Standard issue knife for Canadian troops in WW2. Similar versions from different manufacturers were issued from WW1 through 1970s. M346 Canadian Military WW2 Clasp Knife.jpg
Standard issue knife for Canadian troops in WW2. Similar versions from different manufacturers were issued from WW1 through 1970s.

Small Arms

Pistols

ModelOriginAcquiredTypeCartridgeVariantsNotes
Colt Model 1911 Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1914 Semi-automatic .45 ACP
  • Model 1911
  • Model 1911A1
Canada purchased some in World War I and more in World War II.
Smith & Wesson Triple Lock Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1917 Revolver .44 Special
  • 2nd Model
Low-cost version
Browning Hi-Power Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1944Semi-automatic 9×19mm Parabellum
  • Pistol No.1 Mk.1
  • Pistol No.2 Mk.1
Produced under license in Canada by John Inglis & Company
Smith & Wesson Model 10 Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1942Revolver .38-200
  • S&W Victory Model
Webley Revolver Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1915Revolver .455 Webley
  • Webley .455 Mk.VI
Obsolete, secondary sidearm
Enfield No. 2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1932Revolver .38-200
  • Mk.1
Secondary sidearm
Colt Police Positive Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1907Revolver .38 S&W Secondary sidearm

Submachine guns

ModelOriginAcquiredActionCartridgeVariantsNotes
Thompson Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1942 Blowback, "Blish Lock" .45 ACP
  • Model 1928
  • Model 1928A1
  • M1
  • M1A1
Sten Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada 1941Blowback, Open bolt 9×19mm Parabellum
  • Mk. II
  • Mk. III
  • Mk. V
M50 Reising Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1941Blowback, Closed bolt .45 ACP
  • M50
Extremely limited use, primarily by the Veterans Guard of Canada for guard duties.

Rifles

ModelOriginAcquiredActionCartridgeVariantsNotes
Lee–Enfield No.1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1916 Bolt-action .303 British Mk.VII
  • Mk.III
  • Mk.III*
Lee–Enfield No.4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1943Bolt-action.303 British Mk.VII
  • Mk.I
  • Mk.6*
Primary service rifle.
Pattern 1914 Enfield Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1914Bolt-action.303 British Mk.VIIFor training and use by snipers. [2]
M1917 Enfield Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1917Bolt-action .30-06 Springfield Limited domestic use.
Ross Canadian Red Ensign (1905-1922).svg  Canada 1910 Straight pull bolt-action .303 British Mk.VII
  • Mk.III
  • Mk.III*
For training and Veteran's Guard of Canada use only.

Grenades and grenade launchers

This list is grossly incomplete, listing a small fraction of approximately 30 grenade varieties used by Canadians during World War II.

GrenadeLauncherIntroducedTypeWeight, gcomments
No. 36 M MK. Icup discharger for No. 1 rifle1915fragmentation765most common hand grenade during World War II
No. 68 AT grenade 1940 HEAT 89452 mm RHA penetration
No. 69 grenade No1942high-explosive383bakelite case
No. 73 grenade No1940high-explosive200051mm RHA penetration, used mostly for demolition
No. 74 Sticky bomb No1940 HESH ~900low-cost
No. 75 AT Hawkins Mine No1942high-explosive1020most common Canadian AT weapon & demolition charge during World War II
No. 82 Gammon No1943universal1140soft body

Flamethrowers

Flamethrower, Portable, No 2 "Ack-Pack"

Machine guns

Infantry and dual-purpose machine guns

TypeProductionFire rate, RPMEffective rangeCartridgeFrom:ProducedWeightComment
Bren Gun (various marks)Inglis, Toronto510600 .303 British (7.7×56mmR)193959900010.35 kgreplacement for Lewis gun
Lewis gun (standard model; U.S. version; Automatic Ship's Lewis Gun)550800 .303 British (7.7×56mmR) or .30/061917 ?13 kgoccasional AA gun, limited production during World War II
Vickers machine gun (various marks and models)4752000 .303 British (7.7×56mmR)1912 ?23 kgVickers Gas Operated was standard flexible MG on aircraft early in World War II.
M2HB Browning machine gun 5501800 .50 BMG (12.7×99mm)1921300000023 kgused until present (2014)
M1919A4 5001400.30/061919500000014 kgIn 1970s converted to 7.62 NATO

Vehicle and aircraft machine guns

Artillery

Infantry mortars

ModelCaliberMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
2 inch Mortar (standard and airborne lightweight models)50.8mm4601937 ?4.88elevated by hand
M19 mortar 60mm17901942 ?9.38received after M19 was rejected by US military
3 inch Mortar Mk. II81.2mm14631931 ?50.815crew of 3
M2 4.2 inch mortar 106.7mm40231943 ?1515prepared for chemical bombs delivery, never used

Heavy mortars & rocket launchers

Land Mattress C-21 UCM -

Field artillery

ModelCaliberMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
QF 18-pounder 83.8mm596619041046912824obsolete at start of World War II
QF 25-pounder 87.6mm1225319401300016337main Canadian World War II field gun/howitzer
BL 4.5 inch Medium Field Gun 114mm180001938 ?61902.5built in UK by Canadian companies
BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun 140mm165501941 ?59002received from UK
BL 60-pounder 127mm155001905175644002in Canadian service until start of World War II

Anti-tank guns

ModelCaliberPenetration 1Penetration 2Muzzle speedMax. rangeFromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
QF 2-pdr 40 mm37 mm @ 457 m27 mm @ 914 m792100019361200081422
QF 6-pdr 57 mm88 mm @ 100 m-88416001941 ?1140 ?produced in both UK and Canada
QF 17-pdr 76.2 mm130 mm @ 500 m119 mm @ 1000 m88018001942 ?3050 ?-

Anti-tank weapons (besides anti-tank guns)

Bangalore torpedo (not a grenade or anti-tank)

Anti-aircraft weapons

ModelCaliberEff. alt.FromProducedWeight, kgfire rate, RPMComment
QF 3.7-inch AA gun Mk194mm73001941 ?931715
Bofors 40 mm gun L/6040mm4100193222501981120still in service (2014)
Polsten-Oerlikon gun 20mm10001944574000450low-cost

Vehicles

Canada produced a wide variety of combat vehicles during World War II domestically, but all primary fighting vehicles were imported because of manufacturing quality concerns.

Tankettes

Carden Loyd Mk IV tankette - not used in combat

Tanks

ModelFromArmor max.
(mm)
Primary armamentSecondary armamentWeight
( t)
Power
(kW)
Range
(km)
#
Produced [note 1]
CrewComments
Stuart tank 194151 37mm Gun M3 L/243×.30-06 Browning M1919A4 MG 14.7190119250004imported
Churchill tank Mk 11941102 QF 2-pdr 2 × 7.92 mm Besa machine gun 38.52619073684given to Canada for Dieppe Raid
Churchill Oke 1942102QF-2-pdr
Ronson flamethrower
2 × 7.92 mm Besa machine gun 38.52619034all destroyed in Dieppe Raid
Centaur IV 194476 Ordnance QF 95 mm howitzer 2×7.92mm Besa machine gun 284502701145support tank
Sherman I, III, V194276 75 mm Gun M2/M3/M6 1 × 12.7mm Browning M2HB and 2 × 7.8mm Browning M1919A4 30.3298193 ?5Lend-Lease
Sherman Firefly IC & VC 194389 QF 17-pdr 12.7mm Browning M2HB and 7.8mm Browning M1919A4 332981932,1504American chassis with British gun
Sherman V DD 194276 75 mm Gun M2/M3/M6 1×12.7mm Browning M2HB and 2×7.8mm Browning M1919A4 30.3298193 ?5M4 with flotation screen and propeller
Ram Badger flame tank 194187 QF 6-pdr Wasp II flamethrower and 2×7.62mm machine guns29298232 ?5later versions had flamethrower replacing main gun
Sherman Badger flame tank 194276 75 mm Gun M2/M3/M6 Wasp IIC flamethrower and 2×7.8mm Browning M1919A4 30.3298193 ?5replacement for Ram Badger flame tank
Grizzly I 194375 75 mm M3 L/40 gun 2×.30-06 Browning M1919A4 MG 29.912981931885Canadian-built modified M4 Sherman, chassis used for Sexton self-propelled gun
M10 tank destroyer 194257 76.2 mm Gun M7 1×12.7mm Browning M2HB 29.627630067065tank destroyer
Achilles 194457.2 QF 17-pdr (76mm) 1×12.7mm Browning M2HB 29.62763001,1005tank destroyer M10 with British gun
Archer 194360 QF 17-pdr (76mm) 1× .303 Bren LMG 151452306554tank destroyer
Light Tank Mk VIA 193614 Vickers .50 machine gun (12.7mm)1× .303 Vickers machine gun 4.93672101,6823not used in combat
Ram tank I and II194187 QF 6-pdr 3×7.62mm machine guns2929823220005In field conversions saw combat in Europe, based on M3 hull.
Valentine Mk.VI 194165 QF 2-pdr (40mm)1×.30-06 Browning M1919A4 MG 16.510413014203Canadian-built, provided to USSR
Matilda II infantry tank 193778 QF 2-pdr (40mm)1×7.92 mm Besa machine gun 257225729874not used in combat
M3 Lee/Grant 194151 75mm M2/M3 gun (2-4)×7.8mm Browning M1919A4 273001936258 ?not used in combat

Self-propelled guns

Tank-based

NameChassisGunDevelopedManufacturedRole
Sexton M3 Lee QF 25-pdr (87.6 mm) Mk II19422150self-propelled gun
M7 Priest M3 Lee M101 howitzer (105mm)19424443self-propelled gun
Crusader III, AA Mk.I Crusader Bofors 40 mm gun 1944 ?self-propelled AA gun
Mk.II/III Crusader Oerlikon 20mm gun 1944 ?self-propelled AA gun
Skink anti-aircraft tank M4 Sherman Polsten (20mm)19443self-propelled AA gun

Other

M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage - M3 Half-track equipped with the M1A1 75 mm gun

Armored cars

Model/TypeYears in UseManufacturerDetails
Daimler Dingo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Daimler Mk. I Armoured Car Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Humber Mk. I Scout Car Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Humber Mk. IV Armoured Car Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
M3 Scout Car Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Morris Light Reconnaissance Car Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Staghound Armoured Car Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Fox Armoured Car Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada Humber Armoured Car design modified for Canadian production
Otter Light Reconnaissance Car Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada Similar to Humber Light Reconnaissance Car
Lynx Scout Car Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada Similar to Dingo

Engineering and command

Model/TypeYears in UseManufacturerDetails
Ram ARV Mk I and II Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada
Valentine BridgelayerFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Sherman V ARV Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

Tractors & prime movers

Model/TypeYears in UseManufacturerDetails
Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier) Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada
Loyd Carrier Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Wasp Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom A Universal Carrier with flame-thrower equipment
T-16 Carrier Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Lend-Lease based upon Universal Carrier, used to tow artillery
Windsor Carrier Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada variation of Universal Carrier
M3A1 Half-track Various, Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
M5 Half-track International Harvester, Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States similar to M3 produced for Lend-Lease
M9A1 Half-track International Harvester, Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Variant of M5
M14 Half-track International Harvester, Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States M3 Half-track with anti-aircraft turret
M5 "Recce"Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States A turretless M5 light tank used for reconnaissance

Miscellaneous vehicles

Chevrolet C8 4x2 CMP Canadian military pattern truck front.JPG
Chevrolet C8 4x2 CMP
Ford F60A 4x4 CMP CMPFord 3 tonner July2011.jpg
Ford F60A 4x4 CMP
Model [3] BuilderCountryLoad / Comments
AEC Matador AEC UKField Artillery Tractor
Corbitt 6-ton 6x6 VariousUS6-ton (5440 kg)
Diamond T 4-ton 6x6 Diamond T US4-ton (3630 kg)
Dodge D8A (T212) Dodge Canada8cwt (800 lbs, 360 kg)
Ford GP, GPA Ford US14-ton 4x4, GPA amphibian
Morris C8 Morris-CommercialUKField Artillery Tractor
Willys MB/Ford GPW Willys/Ford US"Jeep" 14-ton 4x4
C/F-8, C/F-8A CMP Chevrolet/Ford Canada8cwt (800 lbs, 360 kg)
C/F-15, C/F-15A CMP Chevrolet/Ford Canada15cwt (34-ton, 630 kg)
C/F-30, C/F-30A CMP Chevrolet/Ford Canada30cwt (1+12-ton, 1360 kg)
C/F-60, C/F-60A CMP Chevrolet/Ford Canada60cwt (3-ton, 2720 kg)
C-60X 6x6 CMP Chevrolet Canadathree driven axles
F-60H 6x4 CMP Ford Canadathree axles, rear un-driven
C/F-GT CMP Chevrolet/Ford CanadaField Artillery Tractor

Aircraft

Although the Canadian government purchased and built thousands of military aircraft for use by the RCAF Home War Establishment (RCAF Eastern Air Command and RCAF Western Air Command) and the Canadian-based units of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, under the provisions of the plan Canada was to provide the training aircraft and facilities and a very large number of Canadian airmen would be committed to go overseas to fight in Article XV squadrons formed in the Great Britain and known as 400 series squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Forty-four of these squadrons were formed and most under this agreement were equipped by the British largely from their stocks and that is why many of the types of aircraft flown in combat in great numbers (such as the North American Mustang, Boulton Paul Defiant, Bristol Beaufighter, hundreds of Supermarine Spitfires of various marks, British built Avro Lancasters, Vickers Wellington, Hawker Typhoon, Short Sunderland, etc.) by most of the RCAF squadrons engaged in the fighting are missing from the following list altogether (or the quantities actually used by the RCAF overseas are not included in the numbers given below).

Fighters

NamePlace of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
Number used
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin UK fighter 1926194012
Hawker Hurricane UK/Canadafighter19391948502
Grumman Goblin US/Canadafighter1940194215
North American NA-44 USfighter/utility194019441
Supermarine Spitfire UKfighter194019508
Curtiss Kittyhawk USfighter19411946134
Curtiss Warhawk USfighter194219439
Hawker Sea Hurricane UKfighter194219431
Curtiss Tomahawk USfighter194319464
de Havilland Mosquito UK/Canadabomber/fighter-bomber19431951444
Gloster Meteor UKfighter194519554

Attack aircraft

NamePlace of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
Blackburn Shark Mk.II & III UKtorpedo bomber1936194426
Bristol Beaufort UKtorpedo bomber/strike/minelayer1941194415
Brewster Bermuda US dive bomber 194319463
Fairey Swordfish Mk.II & IIIUKtorpedo bomber19431947105
Fairey Albacore UKtorpedo bomber194319496

Bombers

Name1968 CF
designator
Place of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
Lockheed Hudson n/aUSbomber19391948247
Hawker Hart n/aUKbomber193719433
Douglas Digby n/aUSbomber1939194620
Fairey Battle n/aUKbomber/trainer/target tug19391946740
Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke n/aCanadabomber/trainer19391947626
Handley Page Harrow n/aUKbomber/transport194019412
Northrop Nomad n/aUSlight bomber1940194532
Avro Anson n/aUK/Canadamedium bomber/trainer194019474413
Handley Page Hampden n/aUKbomber1941194496
Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV n/aUKmedium bomber/gunnery trainer194119451
Douglas Boston n/aUSbomber194119453
Avro Lancaster n/aUK/Canadaheavy bomber19441965229
Martin Baltimore n/aUSbomber194219421
North American Mitchell n/aUSbomber19421963164
Boeing Fortress Mk.IIn/aUSlong-range patrol bomber194319466
Handley Page Halifax n/aUKheavy bomber19441947

Reconnaissance aircraft

Name1968 CF
designator
Place of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
Canadian Vickers Vedette n/aCanadapatrol flying boat1925194144
Canadian Vickers Vancouver n/aCanadapatrol flying boat192919406
Armstrong Whitworth Atlas n/aUKspotting/liaison1927194216
Westland Wapiti n/aUKspotting/liaison1930194425
Hawker Audax n/aUKspotting/liaison193319436
Supermarine Stranraer n/aCanadapatrol seaplane1938194640
Westland Lysander n/aUK/Canadaspotting/liaison/target tug19391946329
Consolidated Catalina/Canso n/aUS/Canadamaritime patrol seaplane19411962254
Lockheed Ventura n/aUSmaritime patrol/target tug1942194728
Supermarine Walrus n/aUKfleet spotter/utility amphibian194319478
Consolidated Liberator n/aUSmaritime patrol1943194814

Trainers

Name1968 CF
designator
Place of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
De Havilland Moth n/aUKtrainer1928194889
Curtiss-Reid Rambler n/aCanadatrainer/utility192919549
Hawker Tomtit n/aUKtrainer193019432
Avro Tutor (Avro 621)n/aUKtrainer193119457
Fleet Fawn n/aCanadaelementary trainer1931194751
Avro Prefect (Avro 626)n/aUKtrainer1937194512
de Havilland DH.82C Tiger Moth n/aCanadatrainer193819481410
Airspeed Oxford n/aUKtrainer (navigation, bombing & radio)19391947819
Fleet Finch n/aCanadaelementary trainer19391947431
North American Harvard n/aUS/Canadaadvanced trainer193919682156
North American NA-26 n/aUStrainer194019421
de Havilland Menasco Moth n/aCanadatrainer19411947136
Cessna Crane n/aUStrainer19411949826
Fleet Fort n/aCanadaintermediate/radio trainer19411945101
Hawker Hind n/aUKinstructional airframe194219434
Stearman Kaydet (Model 75)n/aUSelementary trainer19421943301
General Aircraft Hotspur Mk.IIn/aUKtraining glider1942194522
Fairchild Cornell n/aUSelementary trainer194219481555

Transports

Name1968 CF
designator
Place of
manufacture
Primary
role(s)
Service
period
#
used
Consolidated Courier n/aUSutility192819413
Fairchild 71, 71B & 71Cn/aUS/Canadatransport1929194223
Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker n/aUStransport1929194413
Fairchild 51 & 51An/aUS/Canadatransport193019469
de Havilland Puss Moth n/aUKtransport1931194419
Fairchild Super 71 n/aCanadatransport193619402
Northrop Delta n/aCanadatransport/patrol1936194520
Grumman Goose n/aUSutility amphibian1938195631
Barkley-Grow T8P-1 n/aUStransport193919411
Lockheed Electra n/aUStransport1939194615
Boeing 247D n/aUStransport194019428
de Havilland Dragonfly n/aUKtransport194019456
Fairchild Argus n/aUSutility194019452
Lockheed Electra Junior n/aUStransport1940194510
Lockheed Model 212 n/aUStransport194019461
North American Yale n/aUSintermediate/radio trainer19401946119
Stinson Voyager (Model 105)n/aUSutility1940194625
Noorduyn Norseman n/aCanadautility transport19401957100
de Havilland Fox Moth n/aCanadatransport194119451
Beechcraft Expeditor CT-128USutility/trainer19411972394
Waco AQC-6 n/aUSutility194219421
Fleet Freighter n/aCanadatransport194219442
Curtiss Seamew n/aUSutility floatplane1943194482
Lockheed Lodestar n/aUStransport1943194818
Douglas Dakota CC-129UStransport19431990169
Waco Hadrian Mk.IIn/aUStransport glider1944194932

Radars

Cartridges and shells

Model/TypePeriod or Years in UseManufacturer/Origins
.303 British Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
.455 Webley Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Uniforms, Load Bearing and Protective Equipment

Uniforms

Model/TypePeriod or years in useManufacturer/origins
Canadian Pattern and British Pattern
Khaki Drill
Battle Dress 1939-early 1970sFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Denison smock Used by the AirborneFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Load bearing equipment

Model/TypePeriod or Years in UseManufacturer/Origins
1937 Pattern Web Equipment Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
1942 Battle Jerkin Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

Head dress

Model/TypePeriod or Years in UseManufacturer/Origins
Glengarry Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Tam o'shanter Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Field Service Cap Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Beret Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Helmet, MK IIFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Mk III Turtle helmet Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom

See also

Notes

  1. Total manufacturered, not number used by Canadian forces

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737 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially active during 1943 as an amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance Training Squadron. Reactivated in 1944 it operated as an ASV Training Unit until 1945. It was active again between 1949 and 1957. From 1959 it was the Anti-Submarine Warfare school at RNAS Portland. It operated Westland Wessex HAS.3 rescue helicopters from their land base at RNAS Portland, Dorset.

<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">Radar, Anti-Aircraft No. 3 Mk. 7</span> Mobile anti-aircraft gun

Radar, Anti-Aircraft Number 3 Mark 7, also widely referred to by its development rainbow code Blue Cedar, was a mobile anti-aircraft gun laying radar designed by British Thomson-Houston (BTH) in the mid-1940s. It was used extensively by the British Army and was exported to countries such as Holland, Switzerland, Sweden Finland and South Africa. In British service, it was used with the 5.25 inch and QF 3.7 inch AA guns, as well as the Brakemine missile.

<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 J.B. 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">784 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

784 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in the autumn of 1946. 784 NAS was a Night Fighter Training Squadron which formed at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, in June 1942, moving to HMS Nighthawk, RNAS Drem, East Lothian, in October 1942. Squadron Personnel were also detached to the Naval Air Radio Installation Unit at RAF Christchurch, in 1943 and in the same year, a number of crews were attached to RAF night fighter squadrons, with two officers gained Distinguished Flying Crosses. In 1944, three squadron Flights were attached for service to each of 813, 825 and 835 Naval Air Squadrons, embarked in the escort carriers HMS Campania, HMS Vindex, and HMS Nairana respectively, on convoy protection duties. At the beginning of 1946 the squadron moved to Wales, operating out of HMS Goldcrest II, RNAS Brawdy.

<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">GL Mk. III radar</span> Family of British radar systems for artillery

Radar, Gun Laying, Mark III, or GL Mk. III for short, was a radar system used by the British Army to directly guide, or lay, anti-aircraft artillery (AA). The GL Mk. III was not a single radar, but a family of related designs that saw constant improvement during and after World War II. These were renamed shortly after their introduction in late 1942, becoming the Radar, AA, No. 3, and often paired with an early warning radar, the AA No. 4, which was also produced in several models.

Radar, Anti-Aircraft, or simply AA radar for short, was a classification system for British Army radars introduced in 1943 and used into the 1960s when these systems were replaced by missiles with their own integral radar systems. The classification included subcategories, Number 1 through 8, as well as the many individual systems which were assigned Marks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/CPS-1</span>

The AN/CPS-1, also known as the Microwave Early Warning (MEW) radar, was a semi-mobile, S band, early-warning radar developed by the MIT Radiation Laboratory during World War II. It was one of the first projects attempted by the Lab and was intended to build equipment to transition from the British long-wave radar to the new microwave centimeter-band radar made possible by the cavity magnetron. This project, led by Luis Walter Alvarez, became the world's first microwave phased-array antenna.

References

  1. British and Commonwealth Military Knives ISBN   978-1574270921
  2. "Gazette des Armes n°444 jui/aoû 2012 - Page 36 - 37 - Gazette des Armes n°444 jui/aoû 2012 - Gazette des Armes - armes et défense - autres - Loisirs - 1001mags - Magazines en PDF à 1 € et GRATUITS !". fr.1001mags.com. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  3. Ware, Pat (2014). The Illustrated Guide to Military Vehicles. Anness. ISBN   978-1-78214-192-1.