| 763 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Grumman Avenger; and example of the type used by 763 NAS | |
| Active |
|
| Disbanded | 31 July 1945[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Fleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron |
| Role |
|
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Insignia | |
| Identification Markings | P5A+ (Swordfish) K5A+ (Avenger)[2] no markings (1942 to 1944) K5A+,K5AA+ &K6A+ (all types 1944 to 1945)[3] |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Fairey Swordfish Fairey Albacore Grumman Avenger |
| Patrol | Supermarine Walrus Vought Kingfisher |
| Trainer | Avro Anson |
763 Naval Air Squadron (763 NAS) was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’sRoyal Navy (RN). It formed in 1939 as theTorpedo Spotter Reconnaissance Pool No. 1, at HMSKestrel, RNAS Worthy Down. Three months later, it moved to the short-lived RNAS Jersey, in the Channel Islands, before moving back to Worthy Down via HMSDaedalus, RNAS Lee-on Solent and disbanded in 1940. The squadron reformed, on the seaplane carrier HMSPegasus, as aSeaplane Training Squadron, in 1942. This role lasted around two years and the squadron continually operated and provided training from HMSPegasus, until disbanding in 1944. Roughly two months later, the squadron reformed again, this time at HMSNightjar, RNAS Inskip, as anAnti-submarine Operational Training Squadron and remained in this role for just over one year, disbanding in July 1945.
763 Naval Air Squadron formed, on 15 December 1939, atRNAS Worthy Down (HMSKestrel), 3.5 miles (6 km) north ofWinchester, in Hampshire, England, as the Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance Pool No. 1. It was initially equipped with sixFairey Swordfish I, abiplanetorpedo bomber aircraft.[4]
The squadron moved toRNAS Jersey on 11 March 1940 taking its six Fairey Swordfish along with sixFairey Albacore biplane torpedo bomber aircraft. In early March theAdmiralty had taken over Jersey airport, located atSt Peter, Jersey,Channel Islands, to use as aNaval air station. However, due to the German occupation of France and the proximity to the Channel Islands, theGovernment concluded the Islands weren't defendable and 763 Naval Air Squadron relocated toRNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMSDaedalus), situated nearLee-on-the-Solent inHampshire, on 31 May 1940.[5]
The squadron remained at RNAS Lee-on-Solent for around one month before moving back to RNAS Worthy Down on 4 July 1940. Four days later, on 8 July, 763 Naval Air Squadron disbanded at Worthy Down,[6] with767 Naval Air Squadron incorporating the aircraft[2]
In October 1940, a proposition to reform as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance Pool, at RNAS Arbroath (HMSCondor), was postponed and eventually abandoned in February 1941.[3]
763 Naval Air Squadron reformed on the 20 April 1942,[4] as a Seaplane Training Squadron,[3] aboardHMSPegasus, which was designed and built as aseaplane carrier.[7] It was equipped withSupermarine Walrus, a Britishamphibiousmaritime patrol aircraft and the squadron provided catapult and recovery training. It remained in the role and on the carrier for nearly two years. The squadron disbanded on HMSPegasus, on 13 February 1944.[4]
763 Naval Air Squadron reformed on the 14 April 1944, atRNAS Inskip (HMSNightjar),[4] located near the village ofInskip, Lancashire, England, as an Anti-submarine Operational Training Squadron,[3] out of766 Naval Air Squadron.[2] It was equipped withGrumman Avenger, an American torpedo bomber aircraft.
In March 1945 the squadron also received Fairey Swordfish aircraft[4] and a small Photographic Flight was set up.[3] However, on the 31 July 1945, 763 Naval Air Squadron disbanded[4] and was absorbed by785 Naval Air Squadron atRNAS Crail (HMSJackdaw).[3]
The squadron has operated a number of different aircraft types, including:[4]
763 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number ofnaval air stations of the Royal Navy in England and one in the Channel Islands, and aseaplane carrier:[4][3]
1939 - 1940
1942 - 1944
1944 - 1945
List ofcommanding officers of 763 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:[4][3]
1939 - 1940
1942 - 1944
1944 - 1945
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[8]