RAF Brawdy  | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brawdy,Pembrokeshire in Wales | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
 Aerial image of RAF Brawdy during 1944 | |||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||
| Type | Royal Air Force station | ||||||||
| Owner | Ministry of Defence | ||||||||
| Operator | Royal Air Force Royal Navy | ||||||||
| Controlled by | RAF Coastal Command *No. 19 Group RAF Fleet Air Arm[1] | ||||||||
| Condition | Closed | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
  RAF Brawdy Shown within Pembrokeshire Show map of Pembrokeshire RAF Brawdy RAF Brawdy (the United Kingdom) Show map of the United Kingdom | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 51°53′01″N005°07′26″W / 51.88361°N 5.12389°W /51.88361; -5.12389 | ||||||||
| Site history | |||||||||
| Built | 1943 (1943)/44 | ||||||||
| In use | |||||||||
| Fate | Transferred toBritish Army in 1995 to becomeCawdor Barracks. | ||||||||
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II Cold War | ||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||
| Identifiers | ICAO: EGDA,WMO: 03603 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 107 metres (351 ft)[1]AMSL | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Note | Airfield no longer in use. | ||||||||
Royal Air Force Brawdy, or more simplyRAF Brawdy, is a formerRoyal Air Force satellite station located 6.3 miles (10.1 km) east ofSt Davids,Pembrokeshire and 9.8 miles (15.8 km) south west ofFishguard, Pembrokeshire,Wales. It was operational between 1944 and 1992; it was used by the Royal Air Force (1944–1946 and 1971–1992) and theRoyal Navy (1946–1971), before the site was turned over to theBritish Army and renamedCawdor Barracks.
The village ofBrawdy is adjacent to the south-east of the airfield, which lies one mile inland from the north-east shores ofSt. Bride's Bay and seven miles east south east ofSt David's Head.Haverfordwest lies seven miles (11 km) south-east. Notable landmarks are St. David's peninsula, with the city ofSt. Davids and itscathedral, along withRamsey Island.[2]
The Pembrokeshire base was officially opened on 2 February 1944, as a satellite station for the nearbyRAF St Davids, underNo. 19 Group,RAF Coastal Command, withNo 517 Meteorological Squadron moving in the day before.[3] The unit operated with theHandley Page Halifax Mk V, before changing to the Mk III, in March 1945. The squadron moved toRAF Chivenor in November 1945.[4]No. 58 andNo. 502 Sqns used the airfield to undertake anti-submarine patrols from February 1944, while based at RAF St Davids.[3]
The next squadron to move in wasNo. 521 Squadron RAF, from December 1944 until May 1945, as a detachment operating theBoeing Fortress I.[5]
Between February and June in 1945,No. 8 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF was a lodger unit at Brawdy, due to lack of space atRAF Haverfordwest, providing photo reconnaissance training with a detachment ofSupermarine Spitfire andde Havilland Mosquito aircraft.[6]
RAF St Davids became the satellite station when its headquarters, sick bay and workshops facilities, moved to RAF Brawdy in November 1945.[7]
Between the 2 February 1944 and the 27 April 1946,No. 595 Squadron RAF aircraft may have had a detachment based here with a variety of aircraft.[8]
On 1 January 1946, the station was transferred over to theAdmiralty from theAir Ministry, on loan, and becameRoyal Naval Air Station Brawdy (RNAS Brawdy, also known asHMSGoldcrest II). It was initially used as a Relief Landing Ground forRNAS Dale. On 31 March 1948, Brawdy was reduced to Care & Maintenance status as War Reserve. Following the closure of RNAS Dale, RNAS Brawdy was then commissioned asHMSGoldcrest on 4 September 1952.[2] The base went into reserve, in 1960, to enable modernisation work, reopening in April 1963,[9] before paying off on the 1 March 1971.
In January 1946,784 Night Fighter Training Squadron moved to RNAS Dale, but operated out of RNAS Brawdy, providing night fighter instruction for the next nine months from here.[2]773 Pilotless Aircraft Unit was relocated fromRNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), in March 1946. It was set up as a service trials unit, to develop pilotless drone aircraft. Both squadrons disbanded at RNAS Brawdy in September 1946.[10]811 Two seat Fighter Squadron, arrived at RNAS Brawdy in December 1946. It was notably the only front line FAA squadron to operate theSea Mosquito T.R.33.[9] The squadron departed forRNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet), in March 1947.[11]
The station was next used byAirwork Services Ltd from January 1950, who ran a civilian-operated unit for the Royal Navy, the Airwork Air Direction Training Unit (ADTU). Airwork was contracted by the Fleet Air Arm to exercise the Aircraft Direction School at nearbyHMSHarrier. They also undertook a Heavy Twin Conversion Course for FAA pilots. But this unit moved toRAF St Davids in September 1951.[12]
RNAS Brawdy was commissioned as HMSGoldcrest on 4 September 1952,[2] with a ceremony outside the headquarters which featured over 300 officers and ratings. There were significant modifications between 1951 and 1956.[9] These included new lighting and radio for airfield Homing and Approach, new Ground Radar,[2] extra workshops and buildings, refurbished Control Tower, resurfacing of the runways and additional hardstanding. All domestic accommodation was also significantly improved.[9]
On the 2 March 1953, theHawker Sea Hawk first entered service with the Fleet Air Arm at RNAS Brawdy, with806 Naval Air Squadron, which reformed on that date.[13]
In January 1956,727 Dartmouth Cadet Air Training Squadron formed, to give non-flying junior officers air experience.[14]767 Fighter Pilot Pool Squadron arrived from RNAS Ford in August 1956,[15] to provide an armament work-up course,[16] however, departing the following month.[15] The Air Direction Training Unit (ADTU) returned from RAF St Davids in October 1958, but in January 1961 it left forRNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)[12]
The main runway was extended in 1960, and three interconnecting hangars were added, along with a new technical block. Accommodation was improved and expanded, including specific quarters for Wrens. From 1963 to 1971, it was home to the Advanced Flying Training Unit and housed the Airborne Early Warning HQ.Fairey Gannet andHawker Hunter aircraft were based at RNAS Brawdy, with849 Naval Air Squadron operating Gannet,759 Naval Air Squadron with two seat Hunter and738 Naval Air Squadron with single seat Hunter.[9] Gannet were primarily used in Airborne Early Warning (AEW) role and the Hunter for advanced flying training, including low-level navigation, ground attack and air-to-air weapons training.
759 Naval Advanced Flying Training School reformed at RNAS Brawdy in August 1963,[17] providing Part 1 of the Fleet Air Arm's Advance Flying Training course. 738 Advanced Training Squadron relocated to RNAS Brawdy in January 1964, from RNAS Lossiemouth,[18] where it operated as Part 2 of the Advanced Flying Training course.[19]
849 Airbourne Early Warning squadron arrived in December 1964. It operated variants of Gannet aircraft, across fourflights, and at different times, embarking on theaircraft carriers HMSArk Royal, HMSEagle, HMSHermes and HMSVictorious.[20]
In 1967 RNAS Brawdy was used by736 NAS and800 NAS, operatingBlackburn Buccaneer, as a base to attack and bomb the oil tankerSS Torrey Canyon from,[21] which hadstruck Pollard's Rock on West end of theSeven Stones between theCornish mainland and theIsles of Scilly on 18 March, in an attempt to release and burn off its residual cargo of oil.[22]
Morton Air Services started to operate weeklyCroydon Airport to Brawdy flights in April 1958. Anotherde Havilland Heron 1B aircraft was added in January 1959, enabling a twice weekly service.[23]Swansea Airport was added as an optional stop to this service, beginning on June 2. The last flight took place on the 29 September 1959, with Croydon closing the following day.[24]
The Royal Navy left in 1971 and the base was controlled by theDepartment of Environment.[25] The air base was kept in reasonable order and fully maintained by a civilian team, ensuring that all buildings were ready for use and that hot water systems were fully functioning.[26]
%2c_UK_-_Air_Force_AN2269449.jpg)
The Royal Air Force took back control in January 1974, with an official ceremony on 1 April, which included aRoyal Marines band and aFleet Air Arm fly past, before the air station was confided[clarification needed] to the RAF.[27] In February 1974, 'D' Flight ofNo. 22 Squadron was the first RAF unit to arrive with theirsearch and rescueWestland Whirlwind HAR.10 helicopters.[28] In September of the same yearNo. 229 Operational Conversion Unit, later renamed the Tactical Weapons Unit (1 TWU), relocated with theHawker Hunter T.8 aircraft fromRAF Chivenor inDevon.[29][27]
Between 1 September 1976 and July 1978 a detachment of202 Squadron flyingWestland Whirlwind HAR.10s used the airfield.[30] In October 1979, No. 22 sqn was replaced by 'B' Flight of No. 202 Squadron, withWestland Sea King HAR3, for Search and Rescue operations.[31] By the late 1970s the TWU operatedBAe Hawk T.1A aircraft (234 and79 Squadron).[25] with this gradually replacing the Hunter aircraft from 1978.[31]
The station was home toHawker Hunter aircraft of the TWU, and thegate guardian at the base was initially aSupermarine Spitfire; this was replaced in the early 80s by Hawker Hunter FGA.9 (XE624). This airframe was subsequently sold to Steve Petch, a private collector.[32]
As part of the rationalisation of advanced and tactical weapons training, flying training ceased at Brawdy on 31 August 1992. A small number of RAF personnel remained, including No. 202 Squadron and theirWestland Sea Kings, which eventually left in July 1994.[33][34]
51°52′15.3″N005°08′13.8″W / 51.870917°N 5.137167°W /51.870917; -5.137167
In 1974 Naval Facility Brawdy was established adjacent to Royal Air Force Station Brawdy as the terminus of newSound Surveillance System (SOSUS) arrays covering the eastern Atlantic. After commissioning on 5 April 1974 NAVFAC Brawdy became the first "super NAVFAC" with some four hundred U.S. and United Kingdom military and civilian personnel assigned. In 1985 a new type of fixed surveillance system, the Fixed Distributed System (FDS), test array was terminated at the facility. The facility was decommissioned 1 October 1995 after its arrays had been "remoted" and its equipment moved to theJoint Maritime Facility, St Mawgan, Cornwall.[35][36]
Brawdy was transferred to theBritish Army in 1995 and became Cawdor Barracks, the army's mainelectronic warfare base.[25][37] The name originated from the local Earls ofCawdor (who owned theStackpole Estate).
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On the 4 September 1974No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit RAF relocated fromRAF Chivenor.[27] The unit was renamed No. 1 Tactical Weapons Unit RAF (1 TWU). It was tasked with training pilots inair combat,air to ground attack andtactical low flying. The unit was initially made up of Nos. 63, 79 and 234 Squadron RAF.
No. 79 Squadron RAF was equipped withHawker Hunter FGA.9, FR.10 and T.7, atransonic Britishjet-poweredfighter aircraft, along withGloster Meteor T.7 and T.8 aircraft. The Meteor aircraft were used fortarget towing, while the Hunter FGA.9 and FR.10 were used to train inAir-to-ground weaponry, includingbombs,machine guns,autocannons,air-to-surface missiles androckets, as well astactical low level flying.[38] The squadron was also equipped withBAC Jet Provost aircraft for pilotrefresher training.[39]
No. 63 Squadron RAF andNo. 234 Squadron RAF both operatedHawker Hunter F.6 and T.7 aircraft. These were used to trainair-to-air gunnery, using other Hunter or Meteor aircraft to simulate air combat.
Pilots would graduate from the Flying School atRAF Valley to the Tactical Weapons Unit at Brawdy and upon graduating from the TWU classes, the pilots would be posted to anoperational conversion unit (OCU) for eitherBlackburn Buccaneer,Hawker Siddeley Harrier,McDonnell Douglas Phantom orPanavia Tornado aircraft.[38]
During 1978Hawker Siddeley Hawk aircraft started to replace the Hawker Hunter at Brawdy.[31] Starting with No. 234 Sqn,[40] followed by No. 63 Sqn in 1979[41] and No. 79 Sqn completed in 1984.[39] No. 63 Sqn was transferred to No. 2 TWU, based at RAF Chivenor, on 1 the August 1980[41]
No. 517 Squadron RAF, ameteorological squadron, arrived on 2 February 1944, equipped withHandley Page Halifax Mk II and Mk V aircraft, modified formeteorological work to Met 3 and Met 5 respectively, fromRAF St Davids.[34] The unit undertook meteorological flights over theWestern Approaches, obtaining valuable meteorological data, from patrols over theBay of Biscay and theAtlantic Ocean, which was used to support military planning, as noweather ships operated in the Atlantic. The squadron also operatedHandley Page Hampden,Lockheed Hudson,Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and aShort Stirling Met 4s for meteorological training. It moved toRAF Weston Zoyland in September 1945.[42]
No. 521 Squadron RAF, was a meteorological observation unit, it operated a detachment at RAF Brawdy from December 1944 until May 1945. It was equipped withBoeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft, for its meteorlogical flights.[5]
An RAF Radio Meteorological Flight worked out of Brawdy when the airfield was initially taken over by the Admiralty. From January to July in 1946 it operated with sixAirspeed Oxford aircraft.[43]
'D' Flight ofNo. 22 Squadron RAF arrived in February 1974, as the Royal Air Force returned to Brawdy, to undertakesearch and rescue operations. It was equipped with Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 helicopter.[27]
'B' Flight ofNo. 202 Squadron RAF took over from No. 22 Sqn from September 1976. It was initially equipped with Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 helicopter, but from October 1979 these were replaced byWestland Sea King HAR.3 helicopter.[44]
The Flight kept a fifteen-minute readiness during daylight hours and a forty five minute readiness during the hours of darkness. In 1990 the Flight responded to its highest number of calls in a year, 170 in total, both civilian and military, and airlifted 169 people. In its time at Brawdy it had over 2,000 call-outs. The Dyfed Wildlife Trust also asked the Flight to transport equipment and supplies to the islands ofSkomer andSkokholm from time to time.[45] ‘B’ Flight of No. 22 Sqn was the last unit to leave RAF Brawdy in 1996.[46]
The Joint Forward Air Control Training and Standards Unit (JFACTSU) operated out of RAF Brawdy, made up of No. 610 Tactical Air Control Party (Forward Air Controller) (TACP(FAC)) and No. 501 Ground Liaison Section,[47] out of the Joint Warfare Establishment'sSchool of Land/Air Warfare that moved fromRAF Chivenor.[48]
No. 8 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF was part ofNo. 17 Group RAF,RAF Coastal Command. It trained aircrew on a wide range of photo-reconnaissance aircraft, including theSupermarine Spitfire andde Havilland Mosquito.
On the 27 February 1945 a detachment of around thirty Spitfire and Mosquito aircraft of No. 8 (C) OTU arrived at Brawdy, due to lack of space atRAF Haverfordwest. The unit became a lodger and remained at Brawdy until June when it relocated toRAF Mount Farm.[6]
No. 595 Squadron RAF, ananti-aircraft co-operation unit based atRAF Aberporth, operated a detachment at Brawdy from the 7 February 1945 for three weeks. Composed of threeMiles Martinet and twoSupermarine Spitfire Mk XII aircraft, the unit undertooktarget towing for the anti-aircraft school atRAF Manorbier. An additional detachment of Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb and Mk XII aircraft operated from Brawdy from the end of February until June and took part in trials involving targetgliders to provide practice for coastalAAbatteries.[49]
800 Naval Air Squadron fighter squadron, reformed at RNAS Brawdy on the 8 November 1954. Throughout its time at the air station, it operated different variants ofHawker Sea Hawk aircraft,[50] and was initially equipped with the FB.3 aircraft. In June 1955 these were withdrawn and replaced with FGA.4 and FGA.6 variants, as the squadron worked-up for embarkation onHMSArk Royal, in the September. On returning to RNAS Brawdy in March 1956, the squadron disbanded on the 4 April. It then reformed on the 7 May at RNAS Brawdy and took part in Suez operations fromHMSAlbion, in the November. In 1958 the squadron operated from HMSArk Royal when not at RNAS Brawdy, solely using FGA.6, but finally disbanded at the air station on the 3 March 1959.[51]
801 Naval Air Squadron a fighter squadron, was based at RNAS Brawdy from the 4 May 1957. It was equipped with Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.6[52] and worked up during the following six months, embarking onHMSBulwark on the 14 November 1957. The squadron was based out of RNAS Brawdy when not on detachment abroad or on an aircraft carrier, until disbanding on the 26 July 1960.[53]
804 Naval Air Squadron a fighter squadron, was at RNAS Brawdy in 1959 following deployments, and was equipped with Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.6.[54] The squadron arrived on the 17 August, but only remained at the air station for around one month before disbanding on the 30 September 1959.[55]
806 Naval Air Squadron fighter squadron reformed at RNAS Brawdy, on the 2 March 1953. It was equipped withHawker Sea Hawk F.1, being the first front-line squadron in the Fleet Air Arm to use the type.[13] It embarked, to take part in angle-deck trials, later in 1953, on aircraft carrierUSSAntietam.[56] The squadron was also the last front-line Fleet Air Arm squadron to use the Sea Hawk, disbanding at RNAS Brawdy with the FGA.6 variant, on the 15 December 1960.[57]
807 Naval Air Squadron fighter squadron, moved fromRNAS Anthorn (HMS Nuthatch), 5 May 1954, it received Hawker Sea Hawk F.2. As the squadron worked-up, these were swapped for FB.3 variant, in November, before embarking onHMSBulwark, in February 1955, for two weeks. FGA.4 variants arrived in March, and in July, the squadron embarked onHMSAlbion.[58]
895 Naval Air Squadron fighter squadron, reformed at RNAS Brawdy, on the 23 April 1956. It was equipped with Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.4 and FGA.6 aircraft, embarking in HMSBulwark, in August. It swapped these for FB.3 variants and then took part inSuez operations.[59]
897 Naval Air Squadron fighter squadron, reformed at RNAS Brawdy, on the 7 November 1955. It was equipped with Hawker Sea Hawk FB.3 aircraft, embarking in HMSEagle in April 1956. In October 1956, it swapped to the FGA.6 variant and took part in Suez operations.[60]
898 Naval Air Squadron fighter squadron, reformed at RNAS Brawdy, on the 24 August 1953. It was equipped with Hawker Sea Hawk F1 aircraft, however, these we replaced by FB.3 in July 1954. Embarking in HMSAlbion in September 1954 for six months, before briefly joining HMSBulwark in May 1955. It re-equipped with Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.6 aircraft, and in September 1955 embarked in HMSArk Royal. It disbanded at RNAS Brawdy on the 19 April 1956, reforming on the 30 July, this time with Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.4 aircraft. These were replaced by FGA.6 in January 1957, in which month it joined HMSArk Royal. Further spells on other aircraft carriers followed, however, it disbanded at RNAS Brawdy, on 30 April 1959.[61]
759 Naval Air Squadron reformed at RNAS Brawdy, on the 1 August 1963,[17] as the Naval Advanced Flying Training School.[62] Here it was equipped withHawker Hunter T.8 aircraft.[17] The squadron provided Part 1 of the Fleet Air Arm's Advance Flying Training course. Student pilots either moved on to 738 Naval Air Squadron for weapons training, this time on single seat Hunter aircraft, or to 849 Naval Air Squadron, for Airborne Early Warning training with Fairey Gannet aircraft.[62] In 1965, 759 NAS received theBoyd Trophy, which is awarded annually to the naval pilot(s) or aircrew who, in the opinion of the Flag Officer, Naval Air Command, has achieved the finest feat of aviation during the previous year, for its outstanding work in convertingJet Provost-trained pilots to the Hunter aircraft.[63] On the 24 December 1969, 759 NAS disbanded at Brawdy.[17]
738 Naval Air Squadron reloacted, on 6 January 1964, to RNAS Brawdy, fromRNAS Lossiemouth (HMS Fulmar),[18] where it operated as Part 2 of the Fleet Air Arm's Advance Flying Training course, giving tuition on fighter tactics and weapons release to pupils from 759 NAS, also based at Brawdy.[19]
Rough Diamonds
Using three Hawker Hunter GA.11 and a single Hawker Hunter T.8 aircraft, a Fleet Air Arm aerobatic team was formed from 738 NAS, led byLt Cdr Chris Comins, whilst at RNAS Brawdy.[64] They were known as the 'Rough Diamonds' and were operational from 1965, disbanding in 1969. The aircraft were finished in the standard Fleet Air Arm colour scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey on top, over a White underside, however, the lead aircraft also had a day-glo red nose-band, fuselage spine and wingtips. All aircraft carried 'BY' for Brawdy on both sides of the tail and a 'Pegasus' on both sides of the nose for 738 NAS.[65] The team made many public appearances, including being broadcast on BBC television.[64]
738 NAS was disbanded at Brawdy, on the 8 May 1970.[19]
849 Naval Air Squadron was anAirborne Early Warning unit. The squadron was the sole operator of theFairey Gannet AEW.3 aircraft. It had four operational flights, plus a HQ flight. The HQ flight arrived at RNAS Brawdy, on the 15 December 1964, fromRNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), while the four operational flights were assigned across the Royal Navy's operationalaircraft carriers, disembarking and embarking as and when required.[66] The Flights relevant to operations at RNAS Brawdy:
Each Flight operated four Fairey Gannet AEW.3 aircraft, to provide airborne early warning, essentially extending the carrier's radar range, but could also be used for Strike Direction,Anti-Submarine Warfare andSurface Search andShadowing,[67] plus a Fairey Gannet COD.4 aircraft, for ship-to-shore communications.[68] 849C Flight was disbanded in October 1966, following the reduction of the carrier fleet tofour ships, however, it was awarded theBoyd Trophy that year for Outstanding Performance in HMSArk Royal duringMozambique patrol. 849B Flight reformed and worked-up for HMSArk Royal, in January 1970, however, 849A Flight disbanded in July of that year. On the 19 November, the squadron relocated to RNAS Lossiemouth.[69]
In 1963 the Naval Aircraft Support Unit (NASU) relocated fromRNAS Abbotsinch (HMS Sanderling). The unit was made up of over 300 personnel and utilised the three interconnected hangars at Brawdy.
NASU was responsible for aircraft storage. This fell into two categories. Aircraft that weremothballed were stored in a humidity-free environment, however, aircraft awaiting disposal were usually held at thesatellite airfield, RAF St Davids.
The units main role was providing aircraft for front line operations. Between 1967 and 1968 around 130 aircraft of various types, includingSupermarine Scimitar,de Havilland Sea Vixen,Fairey Gannet,Hawker Hunter,de Havilland Sea Devon andde Havilland Sea Heron aircraft, were delivered to Fleet Air Arm squadrons.[70]
It overhauled the aircraft and fitted modifications where required.[71] Repair work was also undertaken along withflight testing. But by 1969 the unit had reduced in size with many personnel moving elsewhere.[70]
The Fleet Air Arm operated aSearch and Rescue Flight while there was a Royal Navy presence at Brawdy.[72] It was initially equipped withWestland WS-51 Dragonfly helicopter, which were later replaced byWestland Whirlwind.[73] This operated as part of the Station Flight and flew a number of different helicopter types, including:[74]
784 Naval Air Squadron was a Night Fighter Training Squadron. It moved to RNAS Dale, fromRNAS Drem (HMS Nighthawk), on the 15 January 1946, but operated at RNAS Brawdy until disbanding. The squadron was equipped withFairey Firefly NF.Mk I, a night fighter variant;Grumman F6F Hellcat N.F. Mk II, a night fighter version, fitted with an AN/APS-6 radar; and theNorth American Harvard II. It disbanded on the 10 September 1946,[75] becoming 'B'flight of the existing Fighter Direction Training Unit at RNAS Dale,790 Naval Air Squadron.[76]
773 Naval Air Squadron was a Pilotless Aircraft Unit (PAU). It moved from RNAS Lee-on-Solent, on the 29 March 1946.[77] The squadron operated threeMiles Martinet, M.50 Queen Martinet variant, an unmanned radio-controlled target drone aircraft,Avro Anson I, a twin-engined, multi-role aircraft andde Havilland Mosquito B.25, a twin-engined, multirole combat aircraft.
Aircrew initially flew the Queen Martinet before it was put under radio control, then monitored the systems. The aircraft was designed to meet Air Ministry SpecificationQ.10/43, from anoperational requirement for a radio-controlledtarget drone. Other squadron aircraft operated as a shepherd aircraft, while the Martinet was operated via radio control. The squadron disbanded on the 30 September 1946.[10]
802 Naval Air Squadron was a fighter squadron. It disembarked fromHMSTheseus to RNAS Brawdy on the 12 May 1953. The squadron remained for around one month before re-embarking onTheseus on the 16 June. It was equipped with Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 aircraft.[52]
804 Naval Air Squadron was a fighter squadron, it moved from RNAS Culdrose on the 29 October 1952. It was equipped withHawker Sea Fury FB.11 aircraft. The squadron worked-up over the following three months, embarking onHMSIndomitable on the 20 January 1953.[78] It returned to RNAS Brawdy in May 1953, before embarking onHMSTheseus one month later on the 17 June 1953.[55]
811 Naval Air Squadron was a Two Seat Fighter Squadron. It moved from RNAS Ford on the 6 December 1946, it was the only front line FAA unit to operate thede Havilland Sea Mosquito TR.33, which was ade Havilland Mosquito FB.VI modified for carrier operations,[9] and it then moved to RNAS Eglinton on the 31 March 1947.[11]
813 Naval Air Squadron operated its 'X' Flight out of RNAS Brawdy from the 18 March 1957.[54] It was equipped with threeWestland Wyvern S.4 aircraft, but this transferred to831 Naval Air Squadron, on the 5 April, going to RNAS Ford. The rest of the squadron arrived at RNAS Brawdy on the 20 March, also equipped with Westland Wyvern S.4 aircraft[79] and worked-up before deploying toHMSEagle on the 5 August 1957.[80]
824 Naval Air Squadron is an anti-submarine squadron. A detachment used RNAS Brawdy during the 25 and 26 October 1954 operating Grumman TBM Avenger AS4 aircraft.[81] The squadron also operated out of RNAS Brawdy from the 7 June to the 1 July 1955, when it was equipped with Fairey Gannet AS.1.[80]
831 Naval Air Squadron was an Electronic Warfare unit. It was equipped withFairey Gannet ECM.6 andde Havilland Sea Venom ECM.22 aircraft, operated respectively by 'A' and 'B' Flights. Both flights operated out of RNAS Brawdy between the 16 to 19 November 1964,[82] andPercival Sea Prince aircraft were also used to support training and familiarisation activities.[80] 'A' Flight also operated a detachment at RNAS Brawdy between 21 and 24 February 1966.[83]
891 Naval Air Squadron was an all-weather fighter squadron,[84] it operatedde Havilland Sea Venom FAW.21. It used RNAS Brawdy between 2 March and the 14 March 1957.[80]
892 Naval Air Squadron was an all-weather fighter squadron, it operatedde Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2. It used RNAS Brawdy for an exercise from 23 August to the 8 September 1965.[85]
893 Naval Air Squadron was an all-weather fighter squadron, it operatedde Havilland Sea Venom FAW.22.[86] It was stationed at RNAS Brawdy between 6 and the 24 October 1959.[73]
1831 Naval Air Squadron was aRoyal Naval Reserve training and conversion unit. It was equipped withBoulton Paul Sea Balliol T.21,de Havilland Sea Vampire T.22 andSupermarine Attacker FB.2 aircraft. It used RNAS Brawdy from the 28 July to the 10 August 1956.[73][87]
727 Naval Air Squadron was an Air Experience Squadron. It reformed here on the 4 January 1956, as the Dartmouth Cadet Air Training Squadron, providing non-flying junior officers air experience.[14] The squadron flewBoulton Paul Sea Balliol T.21,De Havilland Sea Vampire T.22,de Havilland Sea Devon C.20 and aPercival Sea Prince T.1.[88] TwoWestland Dragonfly HR.5 helicopters were provided, in September 1958,[14] however, the squadron was disbanded on 16 December 1960.[89]
736 Naval Air Squadron briefly operated out of RNAS Brawdy for around one month, from the 4 June to 2 July 1960. It provided training for and was equipped withSupermarine Scimitar F.1 aircraft.[90]
751 Naval Air Squadron operated a detachment at RNAS Brawdy between the 13 and 15 May 1957. It operatedGrumman TBM Avenger AS4 aircraft. The squadron next operated from the air station four months later between the 11 and 19 September, this time equipped withde Havilland Sea Venom aircraft.[91]
767 Naval Air Squadron was a Fighter Pilot Pool Squadron which arrived from RNAS Ford, on the 14 August 1956.[15] Here, the squadron provided an armament work-up course, following on from previous general training, at RNAS Ford. It was equipped withHawker Sea Hawk F.2 and FB.3 aircraft.[16] The squadron only remained for one month, returning to RNAS Ford, on the 20 September 1956.[15]
Airwork Services Ltd ran a civilian-operated unit for the Royal Navy, the Airwork Air Direction Training Unit (ADTU), from January 1950. Airwork was contracted by the Fleet Air Arm to exercise the Aircraft Direction School atRNADC Kete (HMSHarrier). They also undertook a Heavy Twin Conversion Course for FAA pilots, with de Havilland Sea Mosquito and de Havilland Sea Hornet aircraft. The unit moved toRAF St Davids in September 1951, where it also provided ajet conversion course, usingGloster Meteor T.7 aircraft. ADTU returned from RAF St Davids in October 1958, but in January 1961, it left for RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron).[12]
RAF St Davids's headquarters, sick bay and workshops facilities, moved to RAF Brawdy, in November 1945, becoming its satellite airfield. On the 1 January 1946, both airfields were taken over by the Royal Navy. A detachment from787 Naval Air Squadron was based here, during April through to July, in 1952. The squadron operated as a trials unit and at the time, flewHawker Sea Fury FB.11 andde Havilland Vampire FB.5.[92]
The Station Flight at Brawdy also included the Maintenance Test Pilot's School and flew a number of different aircraft types, including:[93]
| rank | name | from | to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | R. E. N. Kearney,OBE,RN | Aug 1952 | Jul 1954 |
| Captain | D. C. E. F. Gibson,DSC, RN | Jul 1954 | Jul 1956 |
| Captain | F. Stovin-Bradford, DSC, RN | Aug 1956 | Sep 1958 |
| Captain | H. R. B. Janvrin, DSC, RN | Oct 1958 | Jul 1959 |
| Captain | E. S. Carver, DSC, RN | Jul 1959 | Aug 1961 |
| Commander | P. R. S. Bravn,MBE, RN | Aug 1961 | Jan 1963 |
| Captain | W. I. Campbell, RN | Jan 1963 | Feb 1965 |
| Captain | P. M. Austin, RN | Feb 1965 | Mar 1967 |
| Captain | A. B. B. Clark, RN | Mar 1967 | May 1969 |
| Captain | R. L. Everleigh, DSC, RN | May 1969 | Dec 1970 |
| Commander | P. B. Cowan, RN | Dec 1970 | Mar 1971 |
Royal Naval Air Station Brawdy's ownbadge was awarded on the 4 September 1952 when the air station was commissioned as HMSGoldcrest. When the Admiralty took control of Brawdy on the 1 January 1946, it was known as HMSGoldcrest II, therefore, showing it was a satellite of HMSGoldcrest, which wasRNAS Dale. With Dale closing, Brawdy was given its own badge, which had aGoldcrest perched on a branch. This related to a resting place for the bird after a flight.[95]
Royal Air Force Station Brawdy had a new badge in 1984. It featured aSea-Dragon, with one claw touching thePrince of Wales's feathers, and with the other claw holding the sword ofRAF Strike Command. The upper body of the dragon was red, symbolising theWelsh Dragon, and the bottom half was azure blue, symbolising Brawdy's previous use by the Fleet Air Arm.
The station'sWelshmotto isAmddiffynfa y Gorllewin; TheEnglish translation is 'Stronghold in the West'.[96]
Brawdy had manygate guardians of several types of aircraft. Whilst under the control of the Fleet Air Arm, a de Havilland Vampire, a Hawker Sea Hawk, a Fairey Gannet and a Hawker Hunter in 738 NAS markings, were used.
Notable aircraft include:Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.6, XE340, which had the 'flying fish' markings of898 NAS on itsport side, and the806 NAS 'Ace of Diamonds' on itsstarboard side.[97]Supermarine Spitfire PRXIX, PS915, served as the gate guardian, before joining theBattle of Britain Memorial Flight.Hawker Hunter FGA.9, XE624, was put on display by the RAF, as a tribute after twenty eight years' service,[98] following on from Hawker Hunter 8565M which had been painted inNo. 43 Sqn markings.[99]
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