List of Fleet Air Arm aircraft squadrons

Last updated

Four Sea Harrier FA2s of 801 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, are shown flying in formation Four Sea Harrier FA2s of 801 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, are shown flying in formation as part of a Photex. MOD 45146115.jpg
Four Sea Harrier FA2s of 801 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, are shown flying in formation
Royal Navy Merlin HM2 on HMS Illustrious Royal Navy Melin Mk 2 Helicopters on HMS Illustrious MOD 45157435.jpg
Royal Navy Merlin HM2 on HMS Illustrious

With the formation of the Fleet Air Arm in 1924, as a part of the Royal Air Force, blocks of squadron numbers were used. Nos. 401-439 were Fleet Fighter / Spotter Flights, assigned to Royal Navy battleships and cruisers. [1] Nos. 440-459 were Fleet Reconnaissance Flights, many later becoming Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance Flights, and No. 460 onwards, as Fleet Torpedo Flights, later becoming Torpedo Bomber Flights. [2]

Contents

In 1936 some of these were renumbered in the 700 series and this was retained when the Admiralty regained full control of the Fleet Air Arm in 1939. Nos. 700-749 were for catapult flights and squadrons, but eventually these all merged into 700 Naval Air Squadron, leaving nos. 701-710 for amphibian and floatplane squadrons from 1943 onwards. Nos. 750-799, were assigned for training and ancillary squadrons (in contrast to the RAF practice of not assigning squadron numbers to training units). [1]

Front line combat squadrons were nos. 800-899 and broken down into categories: [2] nos. 800-809 for fighter squadrons, nos. 810-819 for torpedo bomber squadrons, later torpedo spotter reconnaissance (TSR), and torpedo bomber reconnaissance (TBR), squadrons, nos. 820-859 were initially spotter reconnaissance squadrons, later becoming TSR and, finally, TBR squadrons. Originally, TBR squadrons included 860-869, but these were assigned to Dutch-manned and then Royal Netherlands Navy squadrons. Nos. 870-899 were initially for single-seat fighter squadrons, but 870-879 were later assigned to Royal Canadian Navy squadrons. As these numbers ran out, new series prefixed by '1' were allocated. Leaving aside unused blocks, nos. 1700-1749 became torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons and two-seat fighter squadrons were nos. 1770-1799. Dive bomber squadrons were nos. 1810-1829 and nos. 1830-1899 were for single-seat fighter squadrons. [3]

Front Line Squadrons (Nos. 800 to 899)

Squadrons in Bold Type are currently active in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons in underline subsequently commissioned into Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons in italics subsequently commissioned into Netherlands Naval Aviation Service.

Nos. 800 to 809

Single-seat fighter squadrons.

Nos. 810 to 819

Torpedo Bomber squadrons, 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.

Nos. 860 to 869

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

Nos. 870 to 879

Single-seat fighter squadrons. Later reserved for Royal Canadian Navy use.

Nos. 880 to 899

Single-seat fighter squadrons.

Front Line Squadrons (Nos. 1700 to 1799)

Squadrons in Bold Type are currently active

Nos. 1700 to 1749

Torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons, reallocated to amphibian bomber reconnaissance squadrons.

Nos. 1750 to 1769

Single-seat fighter squadrons (not taken up).

Nos. 1770 to 1799

Two-seat fighter squadrons.

Note: Nos. 1773 to 1775 Squadrons were planned to form in 1945 for the British Pacific Fleet, but this never transpired. [22]

Front Line Squadrons (Nos. 1800 to 1899)

Squadrons in Bold Type are currently active

Nos. 1800 to 1809

Torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons (not taken up).

Nos. 1810 to 1829

Dive-bomber squadrons.

Nos. 1830 to 1899

Single-seat fighter squadrons, later used for Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and Royal Naval Reserve squadron.

Second Line Squadrons (Nos. 700 to 799)

Squadrons in Bold Type are currently active in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Squadrons in underline subsequently commissioned into Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm

Nos. 700 to 749

Initially for Catapult flights, later becoming catapult squadrons. (Nos.701 to 710 were earmarked for use by amphibian and floatplane squadrons in 1943, but this later lapsed) When these ceased to exist the range became available for training and ancillary squadrons.

Nos. 750 to 799

Training and ancillary squadrons.

Aircraft Ferry Units

Aircraft collection and delivery

See also

Fleet Air Arm

Royal Air Force

Others

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">730 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">731 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

731 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA). 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">739 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Squadron

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">758 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

758 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially formed as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron, from 1939 and 1941, renumbered from 759 Naval Air Squadron, operating out of RNAS Eastleigh. It moved to RNAS Arbroath, in 1940, disbanding there the following year. The squadron reformed at RNAS Donibristle, in 1942, as a Beam Approach School. Moving to RNAS Hinstock, it was known as the Naval Advanced Instrument Flying School. It provided instrument courses, utilising a large number of Oxford aircraft, with detachments sent to the specialised flying schools at RNAS Crail, RNAS East Haven, RNAS Fearn and RNAS Yeovilton. 'X' and 'Y' Rover Flights supplemented the detachments, 'Z' Flight was on calibration work and evolving homing and landing capabilities, with the squadron disbanding in 1946, at RNAS Peplow, into 780 Naval Air Squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">769 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

769 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It last disbanded and merged with 717 Naval Air Squadron after the Second World War. 769 Naval Air Squadron Formed at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, during May 1939, by renumbering 801 Naval Air Squadron. Its role was a fighter Deck Landing Training Squadron, using HMS Furious for advanced training, before disbanding in the December. It reformed in November 1941, as a unit within the Deck Landing Training School at HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, and in November 1943, it moved to HMS Peewit, RNAS East Haven. Its role changed to Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Training in 1944, before moving to HMS Merganser, RNAS Rattray, in July 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">770 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

770 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It last disbanded at HMS Nighthawk, RNAS Drem in October 1945. 770 Naval Air Squadron initially formed as a Deck Landing Training Squadron at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, in November 1939. Embarked in HMS Argus, and operated from the aircraft carrier and Hyeres la Palyvestre in the south of France, until it disbanded in May 1940. It reformed at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, on New Year’s Day 1941, as a Fleet Requirements Unit out of 771 Naval Air Squadron’s 'X' Flight. It moved to HMS Jackdaw, RNAS Crail, in June 1941, then two and half years later it moved to HMS Jackdaw II, RNAS Dunino in January 1944, before finally moving to HMS Nighthawk in July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">774 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

774 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in August 1945. 774 Naval Air Squadron formed at HMS Kestrel, RNAS Worthy Down, in November 1939 as an Armament Training Squadron for Observers and TAGs. Aircraft were assigned from storage and a couple of other naval air squadrons. It moved a week later to RAF Aldergrove, and was attached to No.3 Bombing and Gunnery School. In July 1940 it moved to HMS Fieldfare, RNAS Evanton, and then in September to HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, Throughout the next few years, the older aircraft were withdrawn and replaced with newer types and variants. 774 NAS moved to HMS Merganser, RNAS Rattray in October 1944, where it became a target-towing unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">775 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

775 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in March 1946. 775 Naval Air Squadron formed at HMS Grebe, RNAS Dekheila, during November 1940, as a Fleet Requirements Unit in support of the Mediterranean Fleet, based at Alexandria, Egypt. Between October 1941 and March 1942 the squadron also included the RN Fighter Flight. It absorbed 728 Naval Air Squadron in July 1943 and moved to R.N.Air Section Gibraltar at the start of February 1944. The squadron returned to HMS Grebe, RNAS Dekheila during August 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">780 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

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

<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">788 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

788 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded during June 1945. The squadron formed at RN Air Section China Bay in Ceylon, in January 1942, as the British Eastern Fleet's Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Pool, however it lost half its strength during the heavy raids by Japanese carrier-borne aircraft in the April. The squadron regrouped at RNAS Tanga in Tanganyika, East Africa to become a Fleet Requirements Unit and relocating almost immediately to RN Air Section Port Reitz, in Mombasa, where it remained operational for the next three years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">789 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

789 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded in November 1945. 789 Naval Air Squadron formed as a Fleet Requirements Unit at RNARY Wingfield in South Africa, at the beginning of July 1942. It initially only had a single Supermarine Walrus, needing to borrow other aircraft types. 1943 saw the squadron sharing and holding aircraft for other Fleet Air Arm units and it wasn’t until 1944 it started to receive a notable number of its own aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">796 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

796 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded at RNAS Culdrose in October 1958. 796 Naval Air Squadron formed as the Eastern Fleet Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Pool, at RN Air Section Port Reitz, in Mombasa, in July 1942, it provided a detachment embarked in HMS Illustrious in August to support the invasion of Madagascar. This Flight also disembarked to Majunga in September to join 207 Group of the Royal Air Force and later rejoined the squadron at RNAS Tanga, in November and added operational training unit to its roles until disbanding in April 1944. It reformed in November 1947 at HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, as the Aircrewman Training School, for conversion of T.A.G.'s to aircrewman standard. Its task changed to Observer School Part II in January 1950. The squadron moved to HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose, in November 1953 and in 1957 took on the task of the disbanded 765 Naval Air Squadron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">797 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

797 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in October 1945 in Ceylon. Its role was a Fleet Requirements Unit which formed at HMS Ukussa, Royal Naval Air Station Katukurunda, in Ceylon, in July 1942. The squadron moved to RNAS Colombo Racecourse in October 1943. It had a Communications Flight which became 742 Naval Air Squadron in December 1943 and the following summer it had an ‘X’ Flight deployed for target towing for a couple of gunnery schools in Bombay, India and which eventually moved to 722 Naval Air Squadron.

RNAS Eastleigh (HMS Raven) is a former Royal Naval Air Station located in Southampton, Hampshire, UK,

References

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Bibliography