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750 Naval Air Squadron

750 Naval Air Squadron
750 NAS Badge
Active24 May 1939 – 10 October 1945
1 February 1952 – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeFleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron
RoleAir observer training
SizeFour aircraft
Part ofFleet Air Arm
Home stationRNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)
Motto(s)Teach and strike
Aircraft
WebsiteOfficial website
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant Commander Phil Clark, RN[1]
Insignia
Squadron badgeBlue, over water barry wavy white and blue a winged Greek runner in sandals in his dexter hand a torch fired proper and in his sinister hand a sword all white (1945)[2]
Identification MarkingsW1A+, W1AA+ & W0-A+ (Shark)
numbers 1-78 (Albacore)
B1+ (Barracuda)
300-316 (Barracuda/Firefly from February 1952)
600-612 (Anson/Sea Prince from February 1952)
664-679 also 590-599 (all types from January 1956)
618-680 (all types July 1965)
560-579 (all types September 1972)
unmarked (Avenger T.1)[2]
Fin Shore CodesMF:SR (Barracuda/Firefly from February 1952)
MF:SR:CU (Anson/Sea Prince from February 1952)
HF (all types from January 1956)
LM (all types from July 1965)
CU (all types from September 1972)[2]

The Royal Navy Observer School grew out of HM Naval Seaplane Training School at RNAS Lee-on-Solent as a result of a series of changes of identity and parent unit. From 1918 until 1939 the Royal Air Force was responsible for naval aviation, including training and provision of aircrew to the Royal Navy. With the return of naval aviation to the Royal Navy on 24 May 1939, the Observer School was established as 750 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm. During World War II the squadron moved to Trinidad to continue training aircrew. It was temporarily disbanded in October 1945. The squadron reformed in 1952 and is currently based at RNAS Culdrose, where it trains approximately 30 Royal Navy observers every year.

History

The Royal Navy established HM Naval Seaplane Training School on 30 July 1917 at Lee-on-Solent; the unit was responsible for the training of seaplane pilots and observers. When the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps merged on 1 April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force, the school was renamed No. 209 Training Depot.[3]

Fairey IIID

Throughout the early 1920s pilots and observers of seaplanes were trained at Lee-on-Solent under a variety of names; from 1921 the base was renamed the RAF Seaplane Training School, and from 1923, the RAF School of Naval Co-operation. Although the school now concentrated on observer training, from 1925 all naval aircrew were provided by the RAF, and training of naval officers as observers ceased. During this period the primary training aircraft was the Fairey IIID.[3]

From 1932 Lee-on-Solent was provided with a full airfield and became the headquarters of the RAF's Coastal Command. Observer training continued apace and the airfield was home to a wide range of naval aircraft including Fairey Seals, Hawker Ospreys, Blackburn Sharks, Supermarine Walruses, and Fairey Swordfishes. Telegraphist air gunners were also trained at Lee-on-Solent in the years leading up to the Second World War.[3] 750 Naval Air Squadron was formed at RNAS Ford on 24 May 1939 from the Royal Navy Observer School, but after Ford was bombed early in the war, it moved to RNAS Yeovilton.[4] Changing title from a school to a squadron did not change its basic purpose, which was the training of observers for the Fleet Air Arm. The squadron initially flew Hawker Ospreys and Blackburn Sharks, but in November 1940 it moved to Piarco Savannah (HMS Goshawk) in Trinidad[4] and at about the same time re-equipped with Fairey Albacores.[5]

On 15 January 1941, 21 officers and 121 ratings from 749, 750 and 752 squadrons sailed from Liverpool on SS Almeda Star bound for Trinidad.[6] Two days later German submarine U-96 sank Almeda Star in heavy seas 35 miles (56 km) north of Rockall.[6] There were no survivors.[6]

The squadron operated in Trinidad for the duration of World War II and was disbanded on 10 October 1945.[4] The squadron reformed on 17 April 1952[4] at RNAS St Merryn. At first it was equipped with twelve Fairey Barracudas and four Avro Ansons, but in 1953 the Fairey Firefly T7 and Percival Sea Prince T1 aircraft were introduced, and in the same year the squadron moved to RNAS Culdrose.[7] In 1955 the squadron changed its name to the Observer and Air Signal School. After discontinuing the training of air telegraphists, it changed again to the Observer School in May 1959.[4]

The squadron moved to Hal Far (HMS Falcon), Malta in October 1959,[4] and in 1965 it was transferred again, this time to RNAS Lossiemouth.[7] The last move came in 1972, back to RNAS Culdrose, still equipped with the Sea Prince T1. These were replaced by the Jetstream T2 in 1978[4] and in 1992 the squadron became the first naval air squadron to achieve 50 unbroken years in commission. (Note in 2017 now 75!).[4]

Current role

Jetstream T2 XX481 of 750 NAS landing at RNAS Culdrose

Formerly flying the T2 & T3 versions of the BAe Jetstream, 750 NAS is tasked with providing Basic Flying Training for the Fleet Air Arm's observers. After undergoing initial training at Britannia Royal Naval College, trainee aircrew officers join for a seven-month period of training in all aspects of airborne navigation, airmanship and other tactical skills. This is conducted in classrooms as well as in the air and in a computer-controlled simulator. Upon completion of this course they will be ready for advanced flying training and will be streamed for their eventual specialisation.[8]

On completion of flying training observers serve in Wildcat HMA2 or Merlin HM2 helicopters. These aircraft help extend the eyes and ears of the fleet at sea and are integral to the ASuW and ASW capabilities of the RN[8]

Hawker Beechcraft Avenger T1 (350ER)

In 2011, the Jetstreams were replaced by Avenger T1 aircraft, modified Beechcraft King Air 350ERs,[9][10] as part of the UK Military Flying Training System. The Squadron operates four commercially owned but military-registered aircraft, employing a mixture of military and civilian personnel to achieve the instructional task.[11] As well as training Fleet Air Arm observers, it also trains Royal Air Force Mission Aircrew Officers and Non-commissioned Mission Aircrew.

Aircraft flown

The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types, including:[12]

Fairey Barracuda Mk II
  • Blackburn Shark torpedo bomber (May 1939 - June 1942)
  • Fairey Albacore torpedo bomber (December 1940 - August 1945)
  • Fairey Barracuda Mk II torpedo and dive bomber (November 1944 - October 1945)
  • Fairey Barracuda TR.3 torpedo-reconnaissance aircraft (February 1952 - July 1953)
  • Avro Anson Mk I multi-role training aircraft (April 1952 - May 1953)
  • Percival Sea Prince T.1 anti-submarine training aircraft (February 1953 - May 1979)
  • Fairey Firefly T.Mk 7 anti-submarine warfare training aircraft(April 1953 - March 1955)
  • Airspeed Oxford I training aircraft (March - April 1957)
  • de Havilland Sea Devon C Mk 20 Transport and communications aircraft (March 1957 - August 1961)
  • de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.21 all-weather fighter aircraft (July 1960 - October 1961)
  • de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.22 all-weather fighter aircraft (August 1961 - March 1970)
  • de Havilland Sea Vampire T.22 two-seat trainer (January 1962 - May 1965)
  • Handley Page Jetstream T.2 (later BAe) trainer and communications aircraft (October 1978 - March 2011)
  • Handley Page Jetstream T.3 trainer and communications aircraft (April 1986 - April 1993, April 1998 - September 2008)
  • Beechcraft Avenger T.1 utility aircraft (June 2011 - date)

Naval air stations

750 Naval Air Squadron has operated from various naval air stations of the Royal Navy, throughout the United Kingdom and one overseas:[13]

1939 - 1945

1952 - present

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 750 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:[14][12]

1939 - 1945

  • Commander(A) J.H.F. Burroughs, RN, from 24 May 1939
  • Lieutenant Commander C.A. Kingsley-Rowe, RN, from 1 February 1940
  • Lieutenant Commander(A) T.G. Stubley, RNVR, from 30 September 1940
  • Lieutenant Commander(A) E.K. Lee, RNVR, from 1 December 1941
  • Lieutenant Commander(A) F.E. Darlow, RNVR, from 1 June 1943
  • Lieutenant Commander(A) J.H. Crook, RNVR, from 6 December 1943
  • Lieutenant Commander(A) H. Whitaker, RNVR, from 15 March 1945
  • Lieutenant Commander(A) F.B. Gardner, RNVR, from 1 August 1945
  • disbanded - 10 October 1945

1952 - present

  • Lieutenant(E) S.E. Adams, RN, from 1 February 1952
  • Lieutenant Commander P.H. Fradd, RN, from 17 April 1952
  • Lieutenant Commander E.F Pritchard, RN, from 19 January 1953
  • Lieutenant Commander P.A. Jordan, RN, from 10 February 1954
  • Lieutenant Commander J.C.N. Shrubsole, RN, from 15 March 1954
  • Lieutenant Commander H.P. Allingham, RN, from 29 June 1956
  • Lieutenant Commander M.F. Bowen, RN, from 14 January 1958
  • Lieutenant Commander A.T.J. Diboll, RN, from 10 September 1958
  • Lieutenant Commander E.T. Genge, RN, from 7 October 1958
  • Lieutenant Commander P. Cane, RN, from 22 October 1960
  • Lieutenant Commander A.C. Whitton, RN, from 19 October 1962
  • Lieutenant Commander K. Sindair, MBE, RN, from 11 November 1964
  • Lieutenant Commander C.R. Mellor, RN, from 16 July 1966
  • Lieutenant Commander J.S. Humphreys, MBE, RN, from 16 August 1968
  • Lieutenant Commander N.C. Arkinson, RN, from 16 June 1970
  • Lieutenant Commander C.K. Manning, RN, from 1 September 1972
  • Lieutenant Commander J.H. Eagle, RN, from 29 March 1974
  • Lieutenant Commander L.A. Wilkinson, RN, from 20 December 1974
  • Lieutenant Commander N.L.C. Featherstone, RN, from 8 November 1976
  • Lieutenant Commander P.M. Burgess, RN, from 15 July 1979
  • Lieutenant Commander R.E. Just, RN, from 10 April 1981
  • Lieutenant Commander C.R.W. Griffin, RN, from 23 June 1982
  • Lieutenant Commander J.D.O. MacDonald, RN, from 20 August 1984 (Commander 1 September 1985)
  • Lieutenant Commander A. Rees, RN, from 6 March 1986
  • Lieutenant Commander D.L.W. Sim, RN, from 7 October 1988
  • Lieutenant Commander R.D. Boag, RN, from 22 March 1990 (Commander 1 October 1990)
  • Lieutenant Commander I.V. Munday, RN from 10 March 1991
  • Lieutenant Commander J.E. Ward, RN, from 23 March 1993 (Commander 30 December 1994)
  • Lieutenant Commander K.W. Terrill, RN, from 26 July 1995
  • Lieutenant Commander S.P. Lacey, RN, from 28 August 1998
  • Lieutenant Commander S. Powell, RN, from 28 July 2000
  • Lieutenant Commander D.L. Carr, RN, from 4 Januray 2003
  • Lieutenant Commander C.J. Daniell, RN, from 24 March 2005
  • Lieutenant Commander B.J.S. Wheaton, RN, from 2 January 2007
  • Lieutenant Commander N.P.B. Armstrong, RN, from 3 June 2009
  • Lieutenant Commander C.J.H. Barber, RN, from 23 November 2011
  • Lieutenant Commander C.D. Whitson-Fay, RN, from 1 April 2014
  • Lieutenant Commander C. Newby, RN, from 29 July 2016

References

Citations

  1. ^ RNAS Culdrose [@RNASCuldrose] (6 December 2024). "Lt Cdr Dan Breward (left) hands over command of 750 Naval Air Squadron to Lt Cdr Phil Clark today. The Culdrose squadron trains @RoyalNavy helicopter observers and @RoyalAirForce rear crew in basic flying training, before they learn their specific aircraft types #750NAS" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 53.
  3. ^ a b c "Lee-on-Solent at SeaYourHistory website". Royal Naval Museum. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "50 Years Not Out for 750 Squadron". Navy News. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  5. ^ Sturtivant, p. 82
  6. ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur (1995–2013). "Almeda Star". uboat.net. Guðmundur Helgason. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Fly 100 – 750 NAS" (PDF). Royal Navy website. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Introduction to 750 NAS at the Royal Navy website". Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  9. ^ Royal Navy unveils its new King Air
  10. ^ "750 Naval Air Squadron - Royal Navy". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  11. ^ Harding Air International March 2016, pp. 60–61.
  12. ^ a b Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 54.
  13. ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, pp. 53–54.
  14. ^ Wragg 2019, p. 123.

Bibliography

  • Ballance, Theo; Howard, Lee; Sturtivant, Ray (2016). The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm. Air Britain Historians Limited. ISBN 978-0-85130-489-2.
  • Harding, Ian (March 2016). "Teach & Strike". Air International. Vol. 90, no. 3. pp. 60–65. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Sturtivant, Ray (1984). The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent: Air-Britain. ISBN 0-85130-120-7.
  • Wragg, David (2019). The Fleet Air Arm Handbook 1939-1945. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-9303-6.

Official website


Quelle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/750_Naval_Air_Squadron