It was initially formed as a long-range catapult squadron on 3 March 1942 atRNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMSDaedalus). During the Cold War, it was reformed as an experimental trials unit, and then as a helicopter training squadron.
The squadron also operated threeSupermarine Walrus, an amphibious maritime patrol aircraft, fromWalvis Bay in southern Africa. On 1 May 1944, the squadron was disbanded.[3]
The Ships’ Flights formed and then converted to Vought Kingfisher aircraft. Advanced training took place at RNAS Dundee (HMSCondor II), Scotland. Standard for each AMC was two aircraft, HMSFidelity also had two, although thelight Cruisers had only one. HMSPretoria Castle’s Fairey Seafox Flight was taken over from702 Naval Air Squadron, but didn’t convert to Vought Kingfisher. List of ships and dates for flights:[1]
In April 1945, the squadron was reformed as the naval Flight of the Royal Air Force's Air Sea Warfare Development Unit (ASWDU) atRAF Thorney Island,West Sussex, to conduct experimental trials on a large variety of aircraft includingGrumman Avenger, an American torpedo bomber,Fairey Barracuda, a British torpedo bomber,Fairey Firefly, a carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft andde Havilland Sea Mosquito, a navalised version of the British twin-engined, multirole combat aircraft. The squadron moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMSDaedalus) in May 1948, absorbing778 Naval Air Squadron and adding 778's Service Trials Unit role to its existing duties.[3]
In 1948–49, the squadron tested plans to land jet aircraft on to a flexible deck, without the use of an undercarriage;[3] trials were conducted by the squadron using ade Havilland Sea Vampire.
On 19 April 1950, the squadron moved to RNAS Ford (HMSPeregrine), Sussex, (now the site ofHM Prison Ford),[4] concentrating on the Service Trials Unit role and became known as the STU.[3] It was further strengthened on 12 July 1950, when739 Naval Air Squadron, a unit specialising in development of photographic reconnaissance was merged with 703 Naval Air Squadron.[5]
At RNAS Ford it experimented with British innovations in aircraft carrier operations, including themirror landing aid and thesteam catapult.[3]
Independent flights were set up for a number of specialist trials. From February to June 1954, 703A Flight was based atRNAS Arbroath (HMSCondor),Angus, Scotland, for tests of a new controlled approach system for aircraft carriers, while 703X Flight carried out trials on theFairey Gannet AS.1 anti-submarine warfare aircraft, from March to December 1954 and 703W Flight tested theWestland Wyvern, a British single-seat carrier-based multi-role strike aircraft.[3]
As well as the carrier flexible deck trials, deck landing aids, and also steam catapult trials, its aircraft became the first to operate from the new HMSEagle. Its later duties included the testing of catapult and arrester gear after aircraft carrier refits:[1]
From February 1975 it added advanced training, a role it took over from706 Naval Air Squadron.[3] It became the sole unit for Westland Wasp training, including conversion and Advanced and Operational Flying Training, providing aircrew and ground crew training.[1]
On 1 January 1981, after 9 years of training aircrew on the Wasp, the squadron was disbanded.[3]
From April 2003, 703 Naval Air Squadron was allocated to the Royal Navy section of No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School atRAF Barkston Heath,Lincolnshire, England.[1]
In 1996 theRoyal Air Force (RAF) joined JEFTS and at this point the school operated theSlingsby Firefly training aircraft, however, in 2003 the RAF withdrew from the school, opting for Elementary Flying Training (EFT) as part of its University Air Squadrons.[8] JEFTS was absorbed intoDefence Elementary Flying Training School (No.1 EFTS) in July 2003.[6]
703 Naval Air Squadron trained about sixty Royal Navy pilots every year. The Squadron previously used theGrob Tutor[8] basic trainer aircraft from 2009 up until 2018, before transitioning to theGrob Prefect, aTurboprop trainer provided under the newUKMFTS contract.[9] In 2021, 703 Naval Air Squadron was stood down with Royal Navy Flying Grading being conducted by727 Naval Air Squadron atRNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron),Somerset. Pilots who are selected for Fixed Wing Flying Training will now conduct Elementary Flying Training with57 Squadron from eitherRAF Cranwell or RAF Barkston Heath.[citation needed]
Ballance, Theo; Howard, Lee; Sturtivant, Ray (2016).The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm. Air Britain Historians Limited.ISBN978-0-85130-489-2.
Sturtivant, Ray; Ballance, Theo (1994).The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd.ISBN0-85130-223-8.
United Kingdom
Royal Navy
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