703 Naval Air Squadron

Last updated

703 Naval Air Squadron
703 NAS Badge.jpg
Squadron badge
Active
  • 1942–1944
  • 1945–1955
  • 1972–1981
  • 2003 – present
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
BranchNaval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
TypeFlying squadron
RoleElementary flying training
Part of Fleet Air Arm and No. 3 Flying Training School
Home station RAF Barkston Heath
Motto(s)Experientia docet
(Latin for 'Experiences teaches')
Aircraft Grob Prefect T1
Website Official website
Commanders
Current
commander
Major B Atherton [1]

703 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy was formed as a long-range catapult squadron on 3 March 1942 at RNAS Lee-on-Solent. During the Cold War, it was reformed as an experimental trials unit, and then as a helicopter training squadron. Since 2003, the squadron has formed the Royal Naval wing of the Defence Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Barkston Heath.

Contents

History

World War II

Two Royal Australian Air Force Vought Kingfisher aircraft in 1942 OS2Us at RAAF depot Lake Boga 1942.jpg
Two Royal Australian Air Force Vought Kingfisher aircraft in 1942

On 3 June 1942, 703 Naval Air Squadron was formed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent to operate floatplanes off catapult-equipped Armed Merchant Cruisers. It was initially equipped with Vought Kingfishers, supplementing these with Fairey Seafox and Fairey Swordfish floatplanes. [2] The squadron also operated three Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraft from Walvis Bay in southern Africa. On 1 May 1944, the squadron was disbanded. [3]

Air Sea Warfare Development Unit (1945 - 1950)

In April 1945, the squadron was reformed as the naval component of the RAF's Air Sea Warfare Development Unit (ASWDU) at RAF Thorney Island, to conduct experimental trials on a large variety of aircraft including the Grumman Avenger, Fairey Barracuda, Fairey Firefly and de Havilland Sea Mosquito. The squadron moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent in May 1948, absorbing 778 Naval Air Squadron and adding 778's Service Trials Unit role to its existing duties. [3] In 1948–49, the squadron tested plans to land jet aircraft on to a flexible deck, without the use of an undercarriage; [3] trials were conducted by the squadron using a de Havilland Sea Vampire.

Service Trials Unit (1950 - 1955)

A Westland Wyvern aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm Westland Wyvern S Mk.4.jpg
A Westland Wyvern aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm

In April 1950, the squadron moved to RAF Ford (now the site of HM Prison Ford), concentrating on the Service Trials Unit role and became known as the STU. [3] It was further strengthened on 12 July 1950, when 739 Naval Air Squadron, a unit specialising in development of photographic reconnaissance was merged with 703 Squadron. [4] At Ford it experimented with British innovations in aircraft carrier operations, including the mirror landing aid and the steam catapult. [3] Independent flights were set up for a number of specialist trials. From February to June 1954, "A" Flight was based at RNAS Arbroath for tests of a new controlled approach system for aircraft carriers, while 703X Flight carried out trials on the Fairey Gannet AS1 from March to December 1954 and 703W Flight tested the Westland Wyvern. [3] In August 1955, 703 NAS and 771 NAS amalgamated to form 700 Naval Air Squadron. [3]

Wasp training squadron (1972 - 1981)

On 22 January 1972, 703 NAS was re-formed at RNAS Portland to conduct training on the Westland Wasp, including from February 1975 advanced training, a role it took over from 706 Naval Air Squadron. [3] On 1 January 1981, after 9 years of training aircrew on the Wasp, the squadron was disbanded. [3]

Elementary Flying Training (2003 - present)

Grob Prefect of the Defence Elementary Flying Training School Grob Prefect (52314413316).jpg
Grob Prefect of the Defence Elementary Flying Training School

In 1993, the RAF and RN Elementary Flying Training was merged to form a single school at RAF Topcliffe, and from 1995, at RAF Barkston Heath. In 1996, after taking on Army Air Corps training, the unit was renamed the Joint Elementary Flying Training School (JEFTS). In 2003, the RAF withdrew from the organisation, and the unit was renamed the Defence Elementary Flying Training School (DEFTS) operating the Slingsby Firefly [5] [ failed verification ] until 2006. At this time, the Royal Naval element was organised as 703 Naval Air Squadron, and the Army element became 674 Squadron Army Air Corps.

703 NAS trains about 60 Royal Navy pilots every year. The Squadron previously used the Grob Tutor [6] up until 2018, before transitioning to the Grob Prefect, a Turboprop trainer provided under the new UKMFTS contract. [1]

Aircraft flown

Largely because of its role as a trials unit in the 1950s, 703 Naval Air Squadron has flown a large number of aircraft types, including:

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">781 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

781 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm 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.

<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">799 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

799 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm 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.

References

  1. 1 2 "Perfect Prefect" (PDF). Navy News . April 2019. p. 19. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  2. Sturtivant & Ballance 1994 , pp. 24–25
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sturtivant & Ballance 1994 , p. 24
  4. Sturtivant & Ballance 1994 , pp. 24, 63
  5. "703 NAS at the Royal Navy website" . Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  6. "Flight of the Slingsby Firefly". BBC. 17 November 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2010.