| 1852 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A Fleet Air Arm Goodyear FG-1D Corsair; an example of the type used by 1852 NAS | |
| Active | 1945 |
| Disbanded | 18 August 1945[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Single-seat fighter squadron |
| Role | Fighter squadron |
| Size | Eighteen aircraft |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | SeeNaval air stations section for full list. |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant Commander(A) I.F. Voller, RNVR |
| Insignia | |
| Identification Markings | 1V10+ single letters (May 1945) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Vought Corsair |
1852 Naval Air Squadron (1852 NAS) was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom'sRoyal Navy (RN). It formed at RN Air Section Brunswick, in the United States on 1 February 1945 as afighter squadron, with eighteen Vought Corsair Mk IV fighter aircraft. Following deck landing training aboard the USSCharger, it embarked in HMSPatroller for the United Kingdom on 5 May. It disembarked to HMSGadwall, RNAS Belfast, on 25 May, but due to V-J Day it disbanded on 29 August.
1852 Naval Air Squadron formed on 1 February 1945 in the United States at RN Air Section Brunswick, which was located atUnited States Naval Air Station (USNAS) Brunswick,Maine, as a Single Seat Fighter Squadron,[2] under the command ofLieutenant Commander(A) I.F. Voller,RNVR.[3]
It was equipped with eighteenVought Corsair aircraft, an Americancarrier-bornefighter-bomber. These were theGoodyear built FG-1D variant, designated Corsair Mk IV by the Fleet Air Arm.[4] Aerodrome Dummy Deck Landings (ADDLs) were undertaken at the nearbyBar Harbor Naval Auxiliary Air Facility (NAAF),Bar Harbor, Maine. The squadron flew to RN Air Section Norfolk situated atUSNAS Norfolk, to enable it to undertake Deck Landing Training (DLT) with the escort carrierUSS Charger, before returning to RN Air Section Brunswick.[5] It then returned to RN Air Section Norfolk arriving on 30 April for embarkation in theRuler-classescort carrier,HMS Patroller, for transportation to the United Kingdom.[6]
By the May all aircrew, equipment and aircraft were embarked in HMSPatroller, atNaval Station Norfolk, and she sailed toNew York City to embark further passengers. On 10 May HMSPatroller then joined Convoy CU.69 and sailed forBelfast, Northern Ireland. 1852 Naval Air Squadron disembarked on 25 May toRoyal Naval Air Maintenance Yard Belfast.[5][7]
The squadron moved toRNAS Eglinton (HMSGannet),Derry, Northern Ireland, the next day, and while here it began to convert from a normalreflector gunsight to agyro gunsight.[3] The squadron was to form part of the18th Carrier Air Group, along with822 Naval Air Squadron. When theJapanese surrendered on 15 August, the 18th Carrier Air Group became unnecessary and on 29 August the squadron moved toRNAS Nutts Corner (HMSPintail),County Antrim, Northern Ireland, disbanding on arrival.[8]
1852 Naval Air Squadron flew only one aircraft type:[8]
1852 Naval Air Squadron operated from anaval air stations of the Royal Navy, in the United Kingdom, a number overseas, and a Royal Navyescort carrier:[8]
List ofcommanding officers of 1852 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:[3][8]
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[9]