| 758 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Stinson Reliant of the type used by 758 NAS | |
| Active |
|
| Disbanded | 14 May 1946[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Fleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron |
| Role |
|
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | SeeNaval air stations section for full list. |
| Aircraft | SeeAircraft operated section for full list. |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Rear admiral Sir Donald C.E.F. Gibson,KCB, DSC[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Identification Markings | X5A+ (1939 - 1941) U1A+,U3A+,U1AA,U1BB+,U3AA+ &U3BB+[3] |
758 Naval Air Squadron (758 NAS) was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom'sRoyal Navy (RN). It was initially formed as aTelegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron, from 1939 and 1941, renumbered from 759 Naval Air Squadron, operating out of RNAS Eastleigh (HMSRaven). It moved to RNAS Arbroath (HMSCondor), in 1940, disbanding there the following year. The squadron reformed at RNAS Donibristle (HMSMerlin), in 1942, as aBeam Approach School. Moving to RNAS Hinstock (HMSGodwit), it was known as theNaval Advanced Instrument Flying School. It provided instrument courses, utilising a large number of Oxford aircraft, with detachments sent to the specialised flying schools at RNAS Crail (HMSJackdaw), RNAS East Haven (HMSPeewit), RNAS Fearn (HMSOwl) and RNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron). 'X' and 'Y' Rover Flights supplemented the detachments, 'Z' Flight was on calibration work and evolving homing and landing capabilities, with the squadron disbanding in 1946, at RNAS Peplow (HMSGodwit II), into 780 Naval Air Squadron.[3]
758 Naval Air Squadron formed atRNAS Eastleigh (HMSRaven), inHampshire, on 1 July 1939, as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron, re-numbered from759 Naval Air Squadron and as part of No.2 Air Gunners School. It operated withBlackburn Shark II, a carrier-borne torpedo bomber,Hawker Osprey III, a navalised carrier-borne version of the Hawker Hart, used in the fighter and reconnaissance roles andPercival Proctor Ia and IIa, a radio trainer and communications aircraft.[4]
The squadron continued Telegraphist Air Gunner training at RNAS Eastleigh throughout the following fifteen months, before moving toRNAS Arbroath (HMSCondor), EastAngus, Scotland, on 14 October 1940. Here, the squadron kept its Percival Proctor and acquiredBlackburn Roc, a naval turret fighter aircraft andBlackburn Skua, a British carrier-borne dive bomber and fighter aircraft, leaving the Hawker Osprey and Blackburn Shark behind and continuing the TAG training for a further four months, before disbanding on 1 February 1941.[5]
758 Naval Air Squadron reformed atRNAS Donibristle (HMS Merlin), nearDunfermline, inFife, on 25 May 1942.[6] OperatingAirspeed Oxford, a twin-engine training aircraft, the squadron remained at RNAS Donibristle for around three months, moving toRNAS Hinstock (HMSGodwit), inShropshire, on 15 August 1942.[7]
It was initially known as the Beam Approach School, then later known as the Blind Approach School. In 1943 it was titled Naval Advanced Instrument Flying School and as well as Airspeed Oxford aircraft, the squadron also operatedAvro Anson, a multi-role training aircraft,Stinson Reliant, aliaison and training aircraft,de Havilland Tiger Moth, atrainer aircraft andVickers Wellington, a twin-engined long-rangemedium bomber aircraft. Later in the yearNorth American Harvard, an American advanced trainer aircraft replaced the Vickers Wellington aircraft and by 1944, 758 Naval Air Squadron had over one-hundred aircraft.[8]
Detachments went toRNAS Crail (HMSJackdaw),RNAS East Haven (HMSPeewit),RNAS Fearn (HMSOwl) andRNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron), which housed the Specialised Flying Schools, to supply instrument training courses. The detachments work was reinforced by X and Y Rover Flights, while Z Flight, a calibration flight, also worked on enhancing homing and landing assistance.[3]
The relief landing grounds, at RNAS Weston Park (HMSGodwit II),[8] situated in the grounds ofWeston Park, acountry house inWeston-under-Lizard,Staffordshire, andRAF Bratton,[9] located atBratton,Shropshire, were used by 758 Naval Air Squadron for Instrument Flying Training, until RNAS Hinstock gained RNAS Peplow as a satellite airfield and from 28 February 1945 the squadron then operated fromRNAS Peplow (HMSGodwit II), situated just outsidePeplow inShropshire.
On the 18 March 1946 the squadron absorbed part of798 Naval Air Squadron,[8] however, 758 Naval Air Squadron disbanded on 14 May 1946 at RNAS Peplow, becoming 'B' Flight of780 Naval Air Squadron.[10]
The squadron has operated a number of different aircraft types, including:[4][11]
758 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number ofnaval air stations of the Royal Navy, in Scotland and England:[11]
1939 - 1941
1942 - 1946
List ofcommanding officers of 758 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:[11]
1939 - 1941
1942 - 1946
List of commanding officers of A Flight, 758 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:
List of commanding officers of B Flight, 758 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:
List of commanding officers of C Flight, 758 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:
Commanding officer of D Flight, 758 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:
List of commanding officers of Rover Flight, 758 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[13]