63-586: 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
126-573: A Long Range catapult squadron, operating with Fairey Seafox from armed merchant cruisers, with its shore-base being HMS Daedalus . Improvements to the airbase were ongoing during the next three years. Additional land was acquired and a third runway was constructed. The existing shorter runway was re-aligned and extended, and by 1942 the lengths, width and orientation were: 18/00 975 yards (892 m), 24/06 1,420 yards (1,300 m) and 11/29 1,100 yards (1,000 m), all by 50 yards (46 m) wide. Construction of dispersal hangars also continued over
189-630: A RAF Hawker Typhoon flight and a United States Navy artillery observer aircraft squadron, equipped with Supermarine Spitfire , a British single-seat fighter aircraft. The 3rd Naval Fighter Wing had formed in October 1943, consisting three Supermarine Seafire , a navalised Spitfire, equipped squadrons: Nos 808 , 886 and 897 Naval Air Squadrons . The wing arrived at Lee-on-Solent on 25 February 1944 and added 885 Naval Air Squadron , which had just reformed again on 15 February, to its formation. Its role altered to that of an air spotting pool supporting
252-466: A Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadron with nine Fairey Swordfish. Six aircraft were detached to RAF Manston ready for the break out of the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. On 12 February 1942, the detachment attacked the battlecruisers in poor weather and failing light. All six aircraft were lost and only five of the eighteen aircrew survived. The CO, Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde ,
315-951: A brief period at the College after leaving Sandhurst as part of his training with all three of Britain's Armed Forces. Sheikh Mubarak Ali Yousuf Suoud Al-Sabah , a member of the Royal Family of Kuwait , attended the Royal Navy Young Officer Course at Britannia Royal Naval College in 2002. Sheikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the eldest son of the Crown Prince of Bahrain , also underwent training at BRNC (including time at sea in RN warships) from 2014 to 2015, prior to commencing active service in
378-400: A conversion course tasked with training experienced civilian pilots in naval flying. It operated a variety of aircraft, including Blackburn Shark, de Havilland Gipsy Moth , de Havilland Hornet Moth, de Havilland Tiger Moth , Fairey Swordfish, Hawker Hart , Hawker Nimrod , Percival Proctor , and Percival Vega Gull. Then at the end of 1940 702 Naval Air Squadron reformed at Lee-on-Solent as
441-518: A couple of different helicopter types: The Royal Navy Station Flight at Lee-on-Solent was equipped with various aircraft over different periods, from 1944 to 1959. List of past flying units and major non-flying units based at Lee-on-Solent, for both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Both RAF Coastal Area and RAF Coastal Command were located here at times. The following units were here at some point: Since 2015
504-597: A ground training establishment. It again became HMS Daedalus in October 1965, and routine service flying continued until April 1993, including a helicopter SAR Flight of 772 Naval Air Squadron , the Southampton University Air Squadron and the Hampshire Police Air Support Unit . All RN Air Engineering training was conducted at Lee-on-Solent from September 1970. As well as the flying and AE training tasks,
567-616: A minimum academic requirement. They then proceed to the Admiralty Interview Board , where they are tested mentally and physically. Several mental aptitude tests are administered, along with a basic physical fitness test and a medical examination. Officer cadets, as they are known until passing out from the college, can join between the ages of 18 and 39. While most cadets join BRNC after finishing university, some join directly from secondary school. The commissioning course
630-590: A number of technical and administration sections were based at Lee-on-Solent, including the Fleet Air Arm Drafting Authority, Naval Aircrew Advisory Board, Naval Air Technical Evaluation Centre, Naval Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit, Naval Air Trials Installation Unit, Mobile Aircraft Repair Transport and Salvage Unit, Safety Equipment School, Photographic School. The airfield closed for military use in 1996 and passed through several owners until 2014 when Fareham Borough Council bought
693-781: A pilot reserve for Fleet Air Arm catapult squadrons. The other unit was 771 Naval Air Squadron , formed out of a fleet requirements unit, with a northern 'X' flight and southern 'Y' flight, equipped with Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber and Supermarine Walrus. 753 and 754 Naval Air Squadrons also formed on 24 May 1939, out of the disbanded RAF unit, the School of Naval Co-operation RAF , which had itself formed at Lee-on-Solent in 1919. 753 NAS operated Blackburn Shark torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance biplane and Fairey Seal spotter-reconnaissance biplane. 754 NAS used Supermarine Walrus amphibian and Fairey Seafox floatplane along with Percival Vega Gull military trainer aircraft. May 1939 also saw
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#1732772784288756-521: A separate helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Flight at RNAS Lee-on-Solent which formed in November 1972. This effectively replaced the disbanded Royal Air Force SAR Flight at RAF Thorney Island , from 12 February 1973. There was a need to provide a civil Search And Rescue service at 15 minutes' notice, from dawn to dusk, covering from Beachy Head in East Sussex to Start Point, Devon , tasked by
819-572: 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. On completion of flying training observers serve in Wildcat HMA2 or Merlin HM2 helicopters. These aircraft help extend
882-497: A torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadron, it was initially equipped with two Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter aircraft and two Vought SB2U Vindicator , an American carrier-based dive bomber which was known as the Chesapeake in Royal Navy service. Working up for deployment on escort carriers, it soon replaced its initial aircraft with six Fairey Swordfish. 825 Naval Air Squadron reformed on New Year’s Day 1942, at Lee-on-Solent, as
945-518: A twin-engine monoplane training aircraft and Avro Anson , a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. The unit left Lee-on-Solent nine months after forming, moving to RNAS Worthy Down (HMS Kestrel ) on 1 September 1943. 1944 saw an increase in activity at HMS Daedalus especially in the build up to Operation Overlord and the Normandy Landings . Both Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force squadrons operated out of Lee-on-Solent, supported by
1008-604: A variety of flying test bed aircraft including a Hawker Hunter and a de Havilland Devon . During the Second World War the search and rescue (SAR) duties at Lee-on-Solent were carried out by the Search and Rescue Flight of 781 Naval Air Squadron, which used Supermarine Sea Otter amphibious aircraft. This operation continued until October 1952 when the Sea Otter aircraft were withdrawn. The Fleet Air Arm operated
1071-402: Is 30 weeks, with Warfare Officers and Aircrew spending a further 19 weeks studying academics at the college. A large contingent of international and Commonwealth students are part of the student body. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary sends its officer cadets to BRNC for a 10-week initial officer training course, before they start at a maritime college. An Ofsted report on BRNC in 2023 described
1134-648: Is a former Royal Naval Air Station located near Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire , approximately 4 miles (6.44 km) west of Portsmouth , on the coast of the Solent . It was one of the primary shore airfields of the Fleet Air Arm and was first established as a seaplane base in 1917 during the First World War . The aerodrome being opened in 1934, it commissioned as HMS Daedalus on 24 May 1939,
1197-528: The Luftwaffe attacked the airbase and caused considerable damage. In the air raid by Junkers Ju 88 multirole combat aircraft and Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter bomber aircraft, a number of people were killed and several buildings were seriously damaged, including destroying two of the Bellman hangars. 780 Naval Air Squadron arrived at HMS Daedalus from RNAS Eastleigh in October. This unit provided
1260-644: The Air Spotting Pool , operated by No. 34 Reconnaissance Wing , of the RAF Second Tactical Air Force. On 6 June 1944, at 0441 hours, the first allied aircraft to take part in Operation Overlord took off from HMS Daedalus . The Air Spotting Pool operated as pairs with one aircraft covering against an air attack while the other aircraft provided aerial spotting for naval gunfire support . A large number of aircraft
1323-465: The Department of Trade and Industry . The flight was not in use from April 1982, but from February 1983, 772 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey ) , operated a detachment at HMS Daedalus : 'C' Flight, covering SAR, which became and independent unit from August 1985 until March 1988. (replaced temporarily by No. 22 Sqn detachment, followed by civilian coastguard helicopter ). It flew
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#17327727842881386-641: The RAF Second Tactical Air Force for the Normandy landings. They were joined by United States Navy’s VCS-7 artillery observation aircraft squadron, on 28 May 1944. For Operation Neptune seventeen pilots from the United States Navy’s cruiser and battleship observation units were trained to fly Supermarine Spitfire Vb fighter aircraft and Cruiser Scouting Squadron (VCS) 7 was formed. No. 26 Squadron arrived at Lee-on-Solent at
1449-564: The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) opened the Naval Seaplane Training School as an extension to the seaplane training station at nearby Calshot (under 5 miles across Southampton Water by seaplane, but over 30 miles by the shortest land route). The school's first commander was Squadron Commander Douglas Evill . Initially, aircraft had to be transported from their temporary hangars to the top of
1512-526: The Royal Naval College, Greenwich , in 1998. In 2020, a group of Junior Rates were trained at BRNC to help alleviate added pressure on HMS Raleigh , after a surge in recruitment. On 13 August 2020, a troop of 34 Ratings and 130 officers passed out simultaneously for the first time in the history of the Royal Navy. They were followed by a second class of Junior Rates who passed out on 17 December 2020. Prospective cadets entrants must meet
1575-728: The seaplane tender HMS Albatross . At the outbreak of the Second World War more Fleet Air Arm second line squadrons either formed or deployed at Lee-on-Solent, 772 Naval Air Squadron formed out of 'Y' Flight of 771 Naval Air Squadron, as a Fleet Requirements Unit, equipped with four Fairey Swordfish Floatplanes. At the same time a Service Trials Unit was stood up, with 778 Naval Air Squadron tasked with testing aircraft and armament, and assessing tactics, it operated with Blackburn Roc and Skua , along with Fairey Swordfish and Supermarine Walrus at HMS Daedalus and adding Fairey Albacore and Fulmar soon afterwards. In November
1638-535: The 1920s under the RAF with both Calshot and Lee-on-Solent providing training in operating seaplanes - initially using the wartime Short Type 184s and, from late 1921, the new Fairey III D. On 1 April 1924, the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force was formed, encompassing those RAF units that normally embarked on aircraft carriers and fighting ships (including those at shore bases such as Lee-on-Solent). In 1931
1701-668: The College in September 1942, students and staff moved activities to Eaton Hall in Cheshire until the autumn of 1946. Two bombs had penetrated the College's main block, causing damage to the quarterdeck and surrounding rooms. Britannia Royal Naval College became the sole naval college in the United Kingdom following the closures of the Royal Naval Engineering College , Manadon, in 1994 and of
1764-545: The Deck Landing Training unit 770 Naval Air Squadron formed with a variety of aircraft, using de Havilland Moth , Gloster Sea Gladiator , Blackburn Skua and Fairey Swordfish. A Communications Squadron was formed in March 1940, 781 Naval Air Squadron . It was equipped with a variety of aircraft including de Havilland Hornet Moth, Fairey Fulmar, Fairey Swordfish and Supermarine Walrus. 764 Naval Air Squadron
1827-584: The Jetstream T2 in 1978 and in 1992 the squadron became the first naval air squadron to achieve 50 unbroken years in commission. (Note in 2017 now 75!). 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
1890-571: The Observer and Air Signal School. After discontinuing the training of air telegraphists, it changed again to the Observer School in May 1959. The squadron moved to Hal Far (HMS Falcon ) , Malta in October 1959, and in 1965 it was transferred again, this time to RNAS Lossiemouth . The last move came in 1972, back to RNAS Culdrose, still equipped with the Sea Prince T1. These were replaced by
1953-552: 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 . 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
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2016-460: The River Dart at Sandquay, a Sandown class minehunter formerly known as HMS Cromer , continues to bear the name Hindostan . Cadets originally joined the Royal Naval College, Osborne , at the age of 13 for two years' study and work before joining Dartmouth. The Royal Naval College, Osborne closed in 1921. During the Second World War , after six Focke-Wulf aircraft bombed
2079-523: The airfield and re-branded it as Solent Airport Daedalus . It hosts the Solent Enterprise Zone . The airfield is situated 4 miles (6.44 km) north west of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour . Lee-on-the-Solent adjoins along the south east boundary, with the town of Gosport 2.5 miles (4.02 km) east and the port city of Southampton 8 miles (12.87 km) north west. Naval aviation began at Lee-on-Solent on 30 July 1917 when
2142-496: 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. 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
2205-409: The college as being filled with "rot and mould". Inspectors also cited unsafe structures, ill-fitting equipment, staff shortages and medical inspection delays. Inspectors noted how windows in some dormitories were boarded over due to rot while "mould is growing on window frames and ceilings". Dartmouth was rated by Ofsted as inadequate. Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's Chief Inspector, said Dartmouth received
2268-453: The construction commence of concrete runways begin thus making RNAS Lee-on-Solent one of the early airbases to move away from grass airstrips. The two runways in question: heading 13/31 and 2,250 feet (690 m) in length and heading 24/06 with a length of 3,000 feet (910 m). Later on, in August, 710 Naval Air Squadron formed. This was a seaplane squadron with six Supermarine Walrus for
2331-487: The current campus were completed in 1905. Earlier students lived in two wooden hulks moored in the River Dart . Since 1998, BRNC has been the sole centre for Royal Naval officer training. The training of naval officers at Dartmouth dates from 1863, when the wooden hulk HMS Britannia was moved from Portland and moored in the River Dart to serve as a base. In 1864, after an influx of new recruits, Britannia
2394-621: The day administrative control of the Fleet Air Arm was transferred to the Admiralty from the Royal Air Force and one of the four airfields in the UK that were transferred to the Fleet Air Arm. Many first line squadrons were formed here and it facilitated reserve aircraft storage. During the Second World War it was home to the office of the Admiral (Air) and was the main depot for Naval Air Ratings. In October 1959 it recommissioned as HMS Ariel as
2457-468: The duration of World War II and was disbanded on 10 October 1945. The squadron reformed on 17 April 1952 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 . In 1955 the squadron changed its name to
2520-604: The end of April, operating with Supermarine Spitfire Vb and was joined by the Supermarine Spitfire Va aircraft of No. 63 Squadron at the end of May and the British single-seat fighter-bomber Hawker Typhoon Ib equipped, No. 1320 ('Abdullah') Flight . Together with No. 268 Squadron , equipped with North American Mustang II an American long-range, single-seat fighter and No. 414 Squadron RCAF operating North American Mustang I, this mixture of units formed
2583-730: The end of May 1940. (The Admiralty had taken over Jersey Airport, to use as a Naval air station . However, due to the German occupation of France and the proximity to the Channel Islands , the Government concluded the Islands weren't defendable). The squadron remained at Lee-on-Solent for around one month before moving to RNAS Worthy Down in July. Four Bellman hangars were initially erected at HMS Daedalus , but on 16 August 1940
750 Naval Air Squadron - Misplaced Pages Continue
2646-677: The expansion of the RAF during the 1930s, however, Parliament decided that the Fleet Air Arm should transfer to the Admiralty. Four airfields in the United Kingdom were transferred over to the Fleet Air Arm, these were the air stations at Donibristle , Lee-on-Solent, Ford , and Worthy Down . As a consequence, on 24 May 1939, HQ RAF Coastal Command moved to Northwood and Lee-on-Solent was commissioned as HMS Daedalus . It become, it appears, Headquarters of Rear Admiral, Naval Air Stations , Richard Bell Davies . Captain T Bulteel
2709-654: The eyes and ears of the fleet at sea and are integral to the ASuW and ASW capabilities of the RN In 2011, the Jetstreams were replaced by Avenger T1 aircraft, modified Beechcraft King Air 350ERs, 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
2772-463: The first grass airstrip at Lee was constructed to the west of the town, Lee-on-Solent became HQ RAF Coastal Area , and a major rebuilding programme ensued. On 14 July 1936, an expanded RAF Coastal Area became RAF Coastal Command , with the HQ remaining at Lee-on-Solent. The Royal Air Force Station Flight at Lee-on-Solent was equipped with various aircraft over different periods, from 1918 to 1939. With
2835-430: The instructional task. As well as training Fleet Air Arm observers, it also trains Royal Air Force Mission Aircrew Officers and Non-commissioned Mission Aircrew. Since 1939 750 NAS has flown 13 types of aircraft: Official website RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent , ( RNAS Lee-on-Solent ; or HMS Daedalus 1939–1959 & 1965–1996 and HMS Ariel 1959–1965),
2898-642: The nearby cliff, then lowered by crane onto a trolley which ran on rails into the sea. Permanent hangars, workshops, accommodation and a new double slipway were soon constructed, however. On 1 April 1918, the RNAS combined with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Lee-on-Solent Naval Seaplane Training School became an RAF station. Naval aviation training continued throughout
2961-555: The old system. The headquarters of the cruisers was established at Bermuda , where suitable arrangements had been made to house the cadets. The cadets entered in September under the old system, and those entered in January 1906 (the last to be so entered), were received at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, where they were instructed, as far as possible, side by side with the cadets transferred from Osborne. The college
3024-631: The other three as the target aircraft. December saw the unit move to RAF Ford to join the RAF Fighter Interception Unit. 739 Naval Air Squadron formed on 15 December 1942 at Lee-On-Solent. It was designated as the Blind Approach Development Unit. Its first commanding officer was Lieutenant G. Smith, RN, and its initial equipment was a single Fairey Swordfish alongside one Fairey Fulmar for trials work. The squadron later acquired Airspeed Oxford ,
3087-509: The rating due to the poor state of the college's infrastructure which was due to "a lack of investment over many decades". King George V and King George VI were naval cadets at Dartmouth. The first "significant encounter" between Prince Philip of Greece and the then Princess Elizabeth took place at Dartmouth in July 1939, where Philip was a naval cadet. Charles III and the Duke of York also attended Dartmouth. The Prince of Wales spent
3150-444: The same period. There was eventually eight Fromson-Massillion hangars with a footprint measuring 70 yards (64 m) x 60 yards (55 m), these were hangars designated F, H, L, M, N, O, P and R. They were augmented with eleven hangars by A&J Main & Co Ltd, their footprint was identical to the fromson type, but had slightly lower doors. These hangars were designated A, B, C, D, E, G, J, K, Q, T and U. The original Watch Office
3213-460: The shore-based college at Dartmouth, which was built by Higgs and Hill and practically completed in 1905. From September 1903, officer cadets first entered the Royal Naval College, Osborne , then after two years transferred to Dartmouth, and the first such intake was in September 1905. The Britannia training establishment was closed at the same time. The cadets under instruction were embarked on two cruisers to complete their programme under
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#17327727842883276-642: The site is now Solent Airport Daedalus [REDACTED] Media related to RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) at Wikimedia Commons Britannia Royal Naval College Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth , also known as Dartmouth , is the naval academy of the United Kingdom and the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy . It is located on a hill overlooking the port of Dartmouth, Devon , England . Royal Naval officer training has taken place in Dartmouth since 1863. The buildings of
3339-523: 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. 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,
3402-843: The war, it moved to RNAS Yeovilton . 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 and at about the same time re-equipped with Fairey Albacores . 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. Two days later German submarine U-96 sank Almeda Star in heavy seas 35 miles (56 km) north of Rockall . There were no survivors. The squadron operated in Trinidad for
3465-776: The work of the Royal Naval Air Electrical Training Establishment, Worthy Down prior to its closure in 1961. In 1962 the Joint Service Hovercraft Unit was formed with the aim of testing hovercraft in an operational military environment, and soon after the Air Station reverted to the name HMS Daedalus on 5 October 1965. She was home to the Naval Air Trial Installation Unit (NATIU), formed to install and test new systems in
3528-457: Was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross . The unit regrouped at Lee-on-Solent, on 2 March 1942, again equipped with Fairey Swordfish Il, before later moving to RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail ). Later in the same year 746 Naval Air Squadron formed as the Naval Night Fighter Interception Unit, during November 1942, at Lee-on-Solent. It initially operated with six Fairey Fulmar reconnaissance / fighter aircraft, three as night fighter aircraft with
3591-640: Was damaged during the August 1940 attack by the Luftwaffe’ and a new Admiralty designed control tower was constructed to replace it. By the middle of the Second World War the airbase had the capacity for five first line and three second line squadrons, at any one time. 809 Naval Air Squadron formed at Lee-on-Solent, on 15 January 1941, as a fleet fighter squadron, equipped with Fairey Fulmar Il aircraft. The squadron worked-up for embarkation on HMS Victorious , but prior to this left HMS Daedalus after three months and moved to Gosport in March. In July 811 Naval Air Squadron reformed at Lee-on-Solent. Tasked as
3654-431: 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. The Royal Navy established HM Naval Seaplane Training School on 30 July 1917 at Lee-on-Solent ;
3717-560: Was formed in April 1940 as an Advance Seaplane Training Squadron. It was equipped with Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraft, and Fairey Seafox and Fairey Swordfish floatplanes. When the trainees had passed the conversion course at Lee-on Solent they boarded the Seaplane carrier, HMS Pegasus , for catapult training. The squadron left HMS Daedalus for RAF Pembroke Dock on the 3 July 1940, leaving behind its Seafox floatplanes. 763 Naval Air Squadron , Torpedo, Spotter, Reconnaissance Pool No.1, arrived at HMS Daedalus from RNAS Jersey at
3780-401: Was originally known as the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth (RNC). As a Royal Naval shore establishment, it was later known also by the ship name HMS Britannia (a battleship called Britannia operated from 1904 to 1918). The college was renamed HMS Dartmouth in 1953, when the name Britannia was given to the newly launched royal yacht HMY Britannia . The training ship moored in
3843-485: Was required for this work because of the need to maintain aircraft over the beaches used for the invasion but with aircraft that had a limited endurance . The number of sorties from HMS Daedalus in support of Operation Neptune was 435 and this was the highest total achieved by any UK airfield on D-Day. Post-war she continued to play a significant role, being renamed HMS Ariel on 31 October 1959 to reflect her electrical, radar and ground training emphasis; she took over
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#17327727842883906-447: Was supplemented by HMS Hindostan . Prior to this, a Royal Naval Academy (later Royal Naval College) had operated for more than a century from 1733 to 1837 at Portsmouth , a major naval installation. The original Britannia was replaced by the Prince of Wales in 1869, which was renamed Britannia. The foundation stone for a new building at the college was laid by King Edward VII in March 1902. Sir Aston Webb designed
3969-467: Was the first Royal Navy station commander of Lee-on-Solent and took up post the following day on 25 May 1939. The first two units to take up residence at HMS Daedalus , on 24 May, 765 Naval Air Squadron , as a Basic Seaplane Training and Pool Squadron. It was initially equipped with Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraft and, Fairey Seafox and Fairey Swordfish Seaplane aircraft. The squadron trained pilots in operating seaplane aircraft and provided
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