| 743 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 AFairey Swordfish Mk II, of the variant used by 745 NAS with both the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy | |
| Active | Royal Navy 1 March 1943 – 30 March 1945 Royal Canadian Navy 18 June 1946 - 1 May 1954[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom Canada |
| Branch |  Royal Navy Royal Canadian Navy |
| Type | Fleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron |
| Role |
|
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | RN Air Section Yarmouth (RN) RCAF Station Dartmouth (RCN) |
| Insignia | |
| Identification Markings (Royal Navy) | Single letters and letter/number combinations[2] |
| Identification Markings (Royal Canadian Navy) | VG-THA+ (Swordfish/Anson) VG-TFA+ (Swordfish/Harvard/Anson/Avenger) 300+ (Avenger June 1952) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack |
|
| Patrol | Supermarine Walrus (RN & RCN) |
| Trainer |
|
743 Naval Air Squadron (743 NAS) was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’sRoyal Navy (RN). It was active from March 1943 to March 1945 as aTelegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron, part of No. 2 Telegraphist Air Gunner School based at R.N. Air Section Yarmouth, Canada.[3]
In June 1946, 743 Naval Air Squadron was re-established at RCAF Dartmouth as a Fleet Requirements Unit for theRoyal Canadian Navy, becoming part of No. 1 Training Air Group. Initially equipped with Fairey Swordfish and Supermarine Walrus aircraft, it later added North American Harvard and Avro Anson planes for training. From May 1949 to May 1952, it operated as a subordinate Flight within 1 TrAG, and on 1 May 1954, it was renamed VU-32 (Utility) Squadron.
743 Naval Air Squadron formed atR.N. Air Section Yarmouth,Nova Scotia, Canada, as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron, on the 1 March 1943. It was part of No.2 Telegraphist Air Gunner School,[3] within the Royal Navy No.1 Naval Air Gunnery School (NAGS), which was under theBritish Commonwealth Air Training Plan.[4] The squadron was equipped withFairey Swordfish II, a biplane torpedo bomber,Supermarine Walrus II, an amphibious maritime patrol aircraft[3] andAvro Anson, a multi-role training aircraft.[5]
All training ceased on 19 March 1945 at R.N. Air Section Yarmouth and 743 Naval Air Squadron wound down. All of the squadrons aircraft were moved and delivered toR.N. Air Section Dartmouth (HMSSeaborn), Nova Scotia, Canada and this was completed on the 30 March 1945,[3] with 743 Naval Air Squadron disbanding at R.N. Air Section Yarmouth, on the same date.[6]
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In June 1946, Squadron 743 was re-established atRCAF Dartmouth as a Fleet Requirements Unit of theRoyal Canadian Navy, subsequently integrating into No. 1 Training Air Group (1 TrAG) shortly after its formation. Initially equipped with Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber aircraft for various utility functions and Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft, which were soon decommissioned, the squadron later incorporatedNorth American Harvard advanced trainer aircraft forpilot training and Avro Anson aircraft fornavigation and communication training forObservers and Observer Mates, as well as for additional utility purposes. From May 1949 until May 1952, the squadron functioned as a subordinate Flight within 1 TrAG, and on 1 May 1954, it was reclassified as VU-32 (Utility) Squadron.[2]
The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types when under the command of the Royal Navy, then subsequently the Royal Canadian Navy, including:[3][2]
743 Naval Air Squadron operated from a singlenaval air station of the Royal Navy, in Canada:[6]
1943-1945
743 Squadron RCN operated from a single Royal Canadian Air Force station:
1946-1954
List ofcommanding officers of 743 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:[2]
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[7]
List of commanding officers of 743 Squadron RCN:[2]