RNAS Culham (HMS Hornbill) | |||||||||||
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next to the village of Culham, in Oxfordshire Near Oxford in England | |||||||||||
Coordinates | 51°39′31″N1°13′38″W / 51.65861°N 1.22722°W | ||||||||||
Type | Royal Naval Air Station | ||||||||||
Code | CM | ||||||||||
Site information | |||||||||||
Owner | Admiralty | ||||||||||
Operator | Royal Navy | ||||||||||
Controlled by | Fleet Air Arm | ||||||||||
Condition | Disused | ||||||||||
Site history | |||||||||||
Built | 1933 | ||||||||||
In use | 1933-1960 | ||||||||||
Fate | now Culham Science Centre | ||||||||||
Battles/wars | Second World War | ||||||||||
Garrison information | |||||||||||
Garrison | Fleet Air Arm | ||||||||||
Occupants | Receipt and Despatch Unit No.2 No.1 Ferry Flight 739 Squadron, S.R.P.D.U. 1832 RNVR (Air) Squadron | ||||||||||
Airfield information | |||||||||||
Elevation | 190 feet (58 m) AMSL | ||||||||||
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Royal Naval Air Station Culham (RNAS Culham, also known as HMS Hornbill) was a former Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm station near Culham, Oxfordshire. It opened in 1944 as an All-Weather Airfield for the Royal Navy. The airbase was used by Receipt and Despatch Unit No.2, No.1 Ferry Flight, 739 Photographic Trials and Development Unit and home to 1832 R.N.V.R. (Air) Squadron. [1]
The airbase is situated around 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the city of Oxford, with the village of Culham lying 1 mile (1.6 km) to west. The notable landmarks include the city of Oxford where through it runs The Isis, which then forms a loop around the airfield to the north, west and south as it flows south east. The market town of Abingdon-on-Thames is about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north west. Didcot junction, where a line running north/south, intersects the Great Western Main Line, is situated 3 miles (4.8 km) south, with Culham railway station, on the north/south Oxford-Didcot line, at the south west corner of the airfield. [1]
The ground layout was typical of many bomber stations, with three runways. However it had many hangars, mostly sited around the field's perimeter. Initially HMS Hornbill was used to train reservists based in the Thames Valley area using several different types of aircraft including: Supermarine Seafire, a navalised Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft, Hawker Sea Fury, a single-seat fighter aircraft and North American Harvards, an American single-engine advanced trainer aircraft. In May 1947 the Photographic Trials and Development Unit was based at HMS Hornbill, and in 1951 1840 Naval Air Squadron operated from the airfield for a short time. Ab initio flight training of cadets from Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, flying primary gliders, was also undertaken here in the early 1950s.
No. 1 Ferry Pool moved from RNAS Yeovilton to RNAS Culham and immediately formed as No. 1 Ferry Squadron, on 26 September 1946. The unit was allocated various aircraft: [2]
In February 1947 the squadron was downgraded to become No.1 Ferry Flight, but remained at HMS Hornbill. It operated a number of different aircraft:
No. 1 Ferry Flight disbanded at HMS Hornbill on 31 August 1950. [3]
On 1 May 1947, 739 Naval Air Squadron reformed at RNAS Culham (HMS Hornbill) to become the Royal Navy’s Photographic Trials and Development Unit, (it had originally been intended to share the RAF's Photographic Reconnaissance resources at RAF Benson, but this had become overcrowded). The squadron operated de Havilland Sea Mosquito, a navalised variant of the de Havilland Mosquito, equipped as a torpedo bomber and a carrier-borne variant, and also the photo-reconnaissance version of the de Havilland Sea Hornet, a twin-engine fighter aircraft, until the unit finally disbanded on 12 July 1950. [4] [5]
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) Pilots and Observers needed to have completed between seventy-five and 125 flying hours per year. This included non-continuous flying hours of training drills and fourteen days continuous training in air warfare and weapons, per year. Flying was mainly done during weekends, as there was a requirement for twelve weekends on squadron duty. [6]
The Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch was reorganised into five air divisions on 1 June 1952. HMS Hornbill was home to the Southern Air Division which was initially formed of only 1832 Naval Air Squadron. On 1 October, 1832A and 1832B RNVR fighter Squadrons were formed, and then in March 1953 these became 1836 and 1835 Naval Air Squadrons respectively. The pooled aircraft, comprising Supermarine Seafire and Hawker Sea Fury, of the Southern Air Division was divided between the three squadrons. [6]
1832 Naval Air Squadron re-formed at RNAS Culham on 1 July 1947 as a RNVR (Air) Fighter Squadron. Led by Lieutenant commander (A) P Godfrey OBE RNVR, the unit was one of four naval air squadrons formed in 1947 as the RNVR Air Branch, the other three were 1830 Naval Air Squadron in Glasgow at HMS Sanderling, 1831 Naval Air Squadron in Cheshire at HMS Blackcap, and 1833 Naval Air Squadron at HMS Gamecock in Warwickshire. The squadron was initially equipped with a single North American Harvard T.2B advanced trainer aircraft and four Supermarine Seafire III fighter aircraft, although later on it received six FR.46 variants of the fighter to replace the mark IIIs. In 1951 the unit replaced its inventory with Hawker Sea Fury FB.II. On 19 July 1953, 1832 Naval Air Squadron departed for RAF Benson. [6]
1840 Naval Air Squadron re-formed at RNAS Culham on 14 April 1951 as a RNVR (Air) Anti-Submarine Squadron. The commanding officer was Lieutenant Commander (A) N H Bovey DSC , RNVR. Eight pilots and observers were detached from 1832 Naval Air Squadron and redeployed to the new squadron. [7] It was equipped with six Fairey Firefly FR.4, a carrier-borne fighter and anti-submarine aircraft and two North American Harvard T.2b advanced trainer aircraft. [8] The squadron remained at HMS Hornbill for just over two months and moved to RNAS Ford (HMS Peregrine) on 30 June 1951. [7]
1832A Naval Air Squadron formed as a RNVR (Air) Fighter Squadron on 1 October 1952. It shared the Hawker Sea Fury FB.II fighter aircraft of 1832 Naval Air Squadron. Almost six months later it was re designated 1836 Naval Air Squadron, on 23 March 1953. [6] [9]
1832B Naval Air Squadron formed on 1 October 1952, as a RNVR (Air) Fighter Squadron, sharing the Hawker Sea Fury FB.II fighter aircraft of 1832 Naval Air Squadron with 1832A RNVR Squadron. Around six months later on 23 March 1953, it was redesignated 1836 Naval Air Squadron. [6] [9]
1835 Naval Air Squadron re-formed at RNAS Culham on 28 March 28 1953 as a RNVR (Air) Fighter Squadron by redsignating 1832B Naval Air Squadron. The commanding officer was Lieutenant Commander (A) A C B Ford DSC , RNVR. It shared a common pool of aircraft with 1832 and 1836 RNVR squadrons, which were Supermarine Seafire F.17 fighter aircraft and Hawker Sea Fury fighter aircraft, FB.11 and T.20 variants, together the three squadrons formed the RNVR Southern Air Division. 1835 Naval Air Squadron moved to RAF Benson on 19 July 1953. [9]
1836 Naval Air Squadron re-formed at RNAS Culham on 28 March 1953, as a RNVR (Air) Fighter Squadron by redsignating 1832A Naval Air Squadron. It shared a pool of a number of Hawker Sea Fury, FB.11 and T.20 fighter aircraft, alongside some Supermarine Seafire F.17 fighter aircraft, with 1832 and 1835 RNVR Squadrons. The squadron was commanded by Lieutenant Commander (A) T O Adkin, RNVR and was a component of the RNVR Southern Air Division, alongside the other two squadrons. The division moved with its three squadrons to RAF Benson, on 19 July 1953. [10] [9]
The Station Flight at RNAS Culham flew a number of different aircraft types, including: [11]
During the course of the operation of the airbase, the following Fleet Air Arm units were at sometime based at RNAS Culham: [12]
HMS Hornbill was ‘paid off’ on Saturday 30 May 1953 and the airbase was put into Reserve Airfield Status. The following year it was then moved to Care and Maintenance Status, remaining so between 1954 - 59. [1] From March 1956 it was used as an Admiralty Storage Depot. [14]
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority identified Culham as a site for the construction of a purpose built laboratory for plasma physics and fusion research, in the late 1950's. Construction of the Culham Laboratory (as previously known) was started in the early 1960’s and the facility was officially opened in 1965. Now known as Culham Science Centre, the current research programme is through the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE). The Joint European Torus (JET) nuclear fusion project is based at the site. [15]
The Sembawang Air Base is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) located at Sembawang, in the northern part of Singapore. The base motto is Swift and Resolute.
HMS Nabthorpe was a Royal Navy, (RN), Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB) situated at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base RAAF Station Schofields located at Schofields, New South Wales during the final year of the Second World War. HMS Nabthorpe was also known as MONAB III and Royal Naval Air Station Schofields.
736 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). It was most recently recommissioned at HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose in June 2013 to fly the BAE Systems Hawk, mainly in the maritime aggressor role, following the disbandment of the Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit (FRADU) and operated up until March 2022. It initially formed as the School of Air Combat in May 1943 at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton. In September 1943 it moved to HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, where it became the Fighter Combat School and it created an independent 'B' Flight for fighter affiliation work between March and September 1945. 736 Naval Air Squadron moved to HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose in February 1950 as the Naval Air Fighter School in the 52nd Training Air Group, but disbanded in August 1952. Immediately the following day, the squadron reformed at HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose out of 702 Naval Air Squadron as an Advanced Jet Flying School and in November 1953 it moved to HMS Fulmar, RNAS Lossiemouth. 736 Naval Air Squadron disbanded there in March 1965, but what was left became 764 Naval Air Squadron ‘B’ Flight. The squadron reformed the same day at Lossiemouth from 809 Naval Air Squadron as a Jet Strike Training Squadron. 1966. In March 1967, its aircraft were part of the group that bombed and set on fire the supertanker SS Torrey Canyon aground and leaking crude oil on Seven Sisters rocks off Cornwall. The squadron disbanded in February 1972.
778 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). 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.
731 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). 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, commissioned as HMS Peewit, known as Royal Naval Air Station East Haven, in Scotland, as part of the Deck Landing Training School there.
739 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN), which disbanded during 1950. It was formed as the Blind Approach Development Unit for the Fleet Air Arm, operating with Fairey Fulmar and Fairey Swordfish aircraft, at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, in 1942. Just under one year later the squadron moved to RNAS Worthy Down, in late 1943 and continued in the role. Roughly one year later the squadron moved again, relocating to RNAS Donibristle in late 1944, disbanding in 1945. It reformed in 1947 and was based at RNAS Culham, with a new role, as the Fleet Air Arm Photographic Trials and Development Unit.
741 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) which last disbanded during November 1947. It was initially active, between March 1943 and March 1945 as an Observer Training Squadron at HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, Scotland, as part of the No. 2 Observer Training School. It reformed at HMS Vulture, RNAS St. Merryn, England, as an Operational Flying Training Unit in August 1946.
748 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). It was initially formed, at HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, as a Fighter Pool Squadron, before becoming No. 10 Naval Operational Training Unit. The squadron moved to HMS Dipper, RNAS Henstridge, in February 1944 and then onto HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton in the March. In September 1944, 748 Naval Air Squadron moved to HMS Goldcrest, RNAS Dale, in Wales, remaining for just under twelve months, before moving back to HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn in August 1945, where it disbanded in February 1946. During its existence, the squadron was equipped with numerous aircraft and various marks, operated by the Fleet Air Arm.
764 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). It initially formed in April 1940, at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, as an Advance Seaplane Training Squadron. The Squadron moved to RAF Pembroke Dock in July 1940, and later to HMS Daedalus II, RNAS Lawrenny Ferry in October 1941 and remaining there until the Squadron disbanded in November 1943. It reformed at HMS Siskin, RNAS Gosport, in February 1944, as the User Trials Unit, however, the squadron was decommissioned for the second time in September 1945. 764 Naval Air Squadron reformed again, at HMS Fulmar, RNAS Lossiemouth, in May 1953, where it became an Advanced Training Unit. It moved to HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, in September 1953, where it received its first jet aircraft. In November 1954 the Squadron disbanded.
766 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). It was to have initially formed in 1939 at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, as a Seaplane School, however, it formed at HMS Landrail, RNAS Machrihannish, as a Night ALT Course, in 1942. It moved to HMS Nightjar, RNAS Inskip, in 1943, to become part of No. 1 Naval Operational Training Unit. By 1944, it was operating over 30 Swordfish aircraft, but, during the year, also acquired Firefly aircraft from 1772 NAS, and Sea Hurricane aircraft from 760 NAS. It moved to HMS Merganser, RNAS Rattray, early in 1946, but later that year, moved to HMS Fulmar, RNAS Lossiemouth, where it received Seafire aircraft, along with being Part 1 of the Operational Flying School. By late 1951, Sea Fury trainer aircraft were also added to its varied list of types operated. In 1953, the squadron moved to HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose, where it disbanded in 1954.
768 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). It last disbanded at HMS Gannet, RNAS Eglinton, Northern Ireland, in March 1949, having been formed as a Deck Landing Control Officer Training Squadron, in December 1948, to ensure one American-style signal trained DLCO could be located at every FAA station. It first formed as part of the Deck Landing Training School at HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, in January 1941, as a Deck Landing Training Squadron. Advanced training was in HMS Argus, for which a detachment was maintained at HMS Landrail, RNAS Machrihanish, where it wholly moved to in March 1943. September saw a move to RAF Heathfield, Ayr, followed by a further move to HMS Sanderling, RNAS Abbotsinch in January 1944. Training used escort carriers on the Firth of Clyde and a detachment was maintained at (Heathfield)Ayr throughout this period, with the squadron returning there in July 1945, at this time HMS Wagtail, RNAS Ayr. In August the squadron moved to HMS Corncrake, RNAS Ballyhalbert in Northern Ireland but then in October it joined up with the Deck Landing School at HMS Peewit, RNAS East Haven, Scotland, where it disbanded in April 1946.
777 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN), 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.
780 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) 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.
781 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) which disbanded at the end of March 1981. Planned as a Reserve Amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance squadron, it formed as a Communications Unit in March 1940 and operated a large variety of aircraft. It provided a Bristol Beaufighter conversion course which eventually became 798 Naval Air Squadron and also had a ‘B’ Flight at Heathrow and then Heston aerodromes before becoming 701 Naval Air Squadron. After the Allied invasion of Normandy the squadron flew to various Royal Navy units on the continent and established an ‘X’ Flight based in France and then Germany. In July 1945 the squadron disbanded into 782 Naval Air Squadron although the ‘X’ Flight was moved to 799 Naval Air Squadron.
782 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). It initially formed in October 1939 as an Armament Training Squadron but disbanded in November to provide personnel for 774 Naval Air Squadron. In December 1940 it reformed at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, as the Northern Communications Squadron, providing links between the Naval Air Stations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Shetland and Orkney islands. It finally disbanded in October 1953.
787 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) 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.
790 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) 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.
794 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) 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.
799 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) which last disbanded during August 1952. It initially formed as a Pool Squadron in South Africa during September 1943, sharing Fairey Albacore aircraft with 798 Naval Air Squadron and providing flying time for aircrew prior to front line squadron assignment, disbanding in June 1944. It reformed in July 1945 as a Flying Check and Conversion Refresher Squadron at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent. Made up of three distinct flights, two of those operated away from Lee-on-Solent with a flight at HMS Siskin, RNAS Gosport, giving junior officers air experience, and another flight at HMS Dipper providing Supermarine Sea Otter conversion training. By May 1948 the whole unit had moved to HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton. In 1951, 799 Naval Air Squadron relocated to RNAS Machrihanish.
HMS Nabstock was a Royal Navy (RN), Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB) which was initially located at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airfield RAAF Maryborough situated in Maryborough, Queensland. HMS Nabstock was also known as MONAB VI and Royal Naval Air Station Maryborough, between June and November 1945. It decommissioned and moved to RAAF Station Schofields located at Schofields, New South Wales, where MONAB VI recommissioned as HMS Nabstock and known here as Royal Naval Air Station Schofields until June 1946.