| 803 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active | Royal Air Force
1946–1951 Royal Navy
|
| Disbanded | 18 December 1969 |
| Country |  United Kingdom
 Canada (1946–1951) |
| Branch |  Royal Navy Royal Canadian Navy |
| Type | Single-seat fighter squadron |
| Role |
|
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Mottos | Cave Punctum (Latin for 'Beware of the sting') |
| Aircraft | SeeAircraft flown section for full list. |
| Battle honours |
|
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Barry wavy of eight white and blue, a wasp with tail inclined to profile proper (1937) |
| Identification Markings |
|
| Fin Carrier/Shore Codes | |
803 Naval Air Squadron (803 NAS), sometimes called 803 Squadron, was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom'sRoyal Navy (RN). It most recently operated theBlackburn Buccaneer, between July 1967 until December 1969.
Initially part of theRoyal Air Force (RAF), the squadron was operational on four occasions from 1933 to 1946, subsequently transitioning to aRoyal Canadian Navy (RCN) squadron from 1946 to 1951. It had an additional four separate periods of activity within the Royal Navy from 1951 to 1969. Between 1933 and 1938 the squadron flewHawker Nimrod andHawker Osprey within the RAF. It was operating withBlackburn Skua andBlackburn Roc by the time it moved over to the Royal Navy in 1939, before re-equipping withFairey Fulmar and laterHawker Hurricane andHawker Sea Hurricane. During its time as part of the RCN it initially flewSupermarine Seafire but these were replaced withHawker Sea Fury. Reformed as part of the Royal Navy it operated withSupermarine Attacker. These were followed by theHawker Sea Hawk and later theSupermarine Scimitar.
803 NAS was formed on 3 April 1933 by promoting No 405 (Fleet Fighter) Flight to the status of a squadron, with nineOspreys.[1] Later that month, the aircraft boardedHMS Eagle for deployment to the Far East, withRAF Kai Tak inHong Kong serving as the primary shore base. The squadron was recommissioned atRAF Seletar,Singapore, on 27 December 1934, officially consisting of six Hawker Ospreys; however, three of these remained at RAF Kai Tak and were subsequently transferred toHMS Hermes in January 1935.[2] Ultimately, on 1 April 1937, the squadron was disbanded while stationed inColombo, Ceylon.[3]
The squadron was reestablished on 21 November 1938 atRAF Worthy Down, Hampshire, deriving from 'B' Flight of 800 Squadron, FAA.[3] The unit was equipped with six Hawker Ospreys and threeHawker Nimrods. The Ospreys were retired the subsequent month upon the arrival of sixBlackburn Skuas, with the Nimrods also being substituted later on. In April 1939, threeBlackburn Rocs were introduced, and soon thereafter, the squadron boardedHMS Ark Royal.[2] The squadron was officially taken over by theAdmiralty on 24 May 1939 while aboard HMSArk Royal.[4]
At the outbreak ofWorld War II, the Blackburn Skuas and Blackburn Rocs which formed 803 Squadron were embarked on HMSArk Royal.[5] Operating out ofScapa Flow, the squadron carried out anti-submarine patrols in theNorthwestern Approaches, losing two Skuas in an attack onU-30 on 14 September 1939[2] and regular patrols off Norway, during which the squadron shot down the first German aircraft by a British aircraft in the war, aDornier Do 18, on 26 September 1939.[5]
The squadron's activities continued off Norway (though leaving her Rocs behind), operating there in April 1940 fromHMS Glorious. 803 and800 Squadrons successfully dive bombed and sank theGerman cruiser Königsberg atBergen (with 800 providing five aircraft and seven crews in contrast to 803's eleven aircraft and nine crews), though an attack by 803 fromArk Royal on theGerman battleship Scharnhorst in June was less successful, with the loss of all but two aircraft.[2]
803 Squadron was re-equipped withFairey Fulmar Mk I in October 1940, and after that served in the Eastern Mediterranean offHMS Formidable, fighting at theBattle of Cape Matapan, shooting down two aircraft and damaging two more and providing fighter cover for theMaltaconvoys and theevacuation of Crete. After HMSFormidable was damaged at Crete, 803 Squadron moved toRNAS Dekheila (HMSGrebe), Alexandria, Egypt, where it was re-equipped withRAFHurricanes and laterSea Hurricanes.[6]
Next it was based inPalestine for operations againstSyria from June 1941, then in August 1941 was merged into the RN Fighter Squadron (a combined unit fighting in theWestern Desert).[2]
803 re-equipped again with Fairey Fulmar Mk II in March 1942, it next operated fromCeylon[6] against the Japanese, such as against theEaster Sunday Raid, rejoining HMSFormidable in the Indian Ocean in April. 803 Squadron then saw operations inEast Africa in 1943, before absorbing806 Squadron for army co-operation exercises.[2] The new combined squadron was disbanded at HMSKilele, the Royal Naval Air Station atTanga on 12 August 1943.[7]
803 Squadron was re-established with twenty-fiveSupermarine Seafire L Mk.IIIs atRNAS Arbroath (HMSCondor), located in Angus, on 15 June 1945. It was intended to be integrated into the19th Carrier Air Group for deployment on anImplacable-classaircraft carrier; however, the occurrence ofV-J Day altered these plans. In August, the aircraft were replaced to include twelve Seafire F Mk.XVs.[8]
WhenHMS Warrior was transferred to theRoyal Canadian Navy (as HMCSWarrior) on 24 January 1946, 803 Naval Air Squadron went with the carrier. Incorporated into the 19th Carrier Air Group upon its establishment as a Royal Canadian Navy unit in 1947, the squadron transitioned to using Hawker Sea Fury fighter aircraft and operated aboard HMCSMagnificent. On 1 May 1951, she was renamed870 Squadron RCN, and the designation "803 Squadron" again became available to the Royal Navy.[8]
TheSupermarine Attacker represented the inaugural jet fighter to be standardised within the first-line squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm.[9] 803 Squadron reformed at RNAS Ford (HMSPeregrine), Sussex, on 23 November 1951, receiving eight Supermarine Attacker F.1s.[2]
Together with the800 squadron, they constituted the13th Carrier Air Group and were scheduled to conduct preparations at RNAS Ford in anticipation of their deployment with theAudacious-class aircraft carrier HMSEagle.[10]
The strength of the squadron was increased to twelve aircraft and the F.1s replaced with FB.2s following the disbandment of890 Squadron in December 1952.[2]
In August 1954, the Attackers were substituted with twelve Sea Hawk FB.3s, which 803 then embarked in theCentaur-class aircraft carrierHMS Albion, subsequently moving to thename ship of her classHMS Centaur before being disbanded upon reachingHMNB Portsmouth on 4 November 1955.[11]
TheHawker Sea Hawk was initially introduced to FAA squadrons in 1953, with the FB.3fighter-bomber variant, which possessed reinforced wings designed to support external loads, making its inaugural flight on 13 March 1954. The ultimate production model for the Royal Navy was the FGA 6, with the final Sea Hawk for the FAA being delivered in early 1956.[12]
On 14 January 1957, the squadron was re-established atRNAS Lossiemouth (HMSFulmar),Moray, with ten Sea Hawk FGA.6 aircraft, which subsequently boarded theAudacious-class aircraft carrierHMS Eagle in August. After spending the initial months of 1958 in the Mediterranean, including two-weeks atRNAS Hal Far (HMSFalcon), Malta, the squadron returned to its home base and was disbanded at RNAS Lossiemouth on 31 March.[11]
Re-formed at RNAS Lossiemouth on 3 June 1958, around a centre of700X Scimitar F.1 IFTU, 803 Squadron became the first FAA operational squadron to be equipped with a nuclear-capable aircraft, when it received eight Scimitar F.1. (Eight years and five months later, it also became the last front-line FAA squadron to operate the Scimitar.)[11] TheSupermarine Scimitar was the firstswept-wing, single-seat fighter introduced by the FAA, signifying a notable progression as the initial aircraft within the FAA to reachsupersonic velocities. Furthermore, it was the first aircraft utilised by the FAA that had the ability to use atactcal nuclear weapon.[13]
In July, the squadron welcomed theFirst Sea Lord and showcased aerial displays atRNAS Eglinton (HMSGannet), County Londonderry and theSociety of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC)exhibition inFarnborough, Hampshire. After weapons training, the squadron deployed aboard the newly re-builtHMS Victorious at month’s end and remained attached to her air group for the next two years. Unfortunately, thecommanding officer was lost when thearrester wire failed, leading to a fatal crash. The carrier then proceeded to the Mediterranean for exercises offGibraltar,[14] the squadron disembarking toRNAS Hal Far (HMSFalcon),Malta, on 8 November.[15]
HMSVictorious departed for the UK in early January 1959 but returned mid-February with 803 embarked and conducted exercises in the Western Mediterranean. The carrier took part in exercise Dawn Breeze 4 in March.[16] In May the squadron re-embarked in HMSVictorious and the carrier made several visits to UK and European bases, including a royal visit fromKing Olaf of Norway on 18 June. In July, the carrier visited various US locations, returning home in August. After re-embarking in September, the squadron spent the rest of the year visitingNorway, Gibraltar, Malta, andMarseille, participating in joint exercises withRoyal Air Force (RAF)Canberra aircraft and theUnited States Navy'sUSS Saratoga. 803 returned to RNAS Lossiemouth in December.[17]
In the majority of 1960, the squadron was stationed at RNAS Lossiemouth,[15] although it did embark in HMSVictorious for training exercises. The squadron did not re-embark in HMSVictorious until October, when it made visits to Gibraltar, Malta, andNaples, as well as participated in the exercises known as Royal Flush and Pink Gin. The squadron disembarking at RNAS Lossiemouth in December.[17]
In January 1961, HMSVictorious began a ten-month deployment to theFar East, reaching Cape Town by February, it visited Aden from March 11 to 18, Singapore from April 4 to 17, and Pulau Tioman before participating in exercise Pony Express. In May, 803 disembarked toRAAF Butterworth in Borneo while the carrier docked in Singapore. Due to rising tensions in thePersian Gulf, the carrier was deployed to theKuwaiti coast, as part ofOperation Vantage in July, where 803 operated from local airfields as Iraq escalated its aggression, marking their closest approach to combat. In July HMSVictorious left the Gulf, stopping inMombasa and Aden before returning to Singapore,[17] where the squadron disembarked toRAF Tengah on September 14.[15] By October, 803 Squadron rejoined the carrier for an exercise withUSS Ticonderoga in thePhilippines. HMSVictorious returned to Singapore in early November and then salied for an exercise off Malta. The squadron left the carrier nearSardinia in December and flew back to RNAS Lossiemouth viaRNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron), Somerset, for Christmas.[17]
The squadron's last deployment on HMSVictorious began on 5 February 1962,[15] visitingBrest from 15 to 19 February, then Gibraltar, andVigo, Spain, from 17 to 22 March. After an exercise, the carrier returned to the UK,[17] the squadron disembarking to RNAS Lossiemouth on 2 April.[15]
In April, 803 Squadron conducted deck trials onHMS Hermes and re-embarked in May for the Mediterranean and arrived at Gibraltar in July. 803 re-embarked for exercises with the United States Navy'sUSS Enterprise andUSS Forrestal. HMSHermes visited Lisbon and Palma in August before returning to Malta for exercises with the French Navy. In October, the carrier departed for the UK, with the Scimitars heading to RNAS Lossiemouth. 803 re-embarked on 13 for another Far East tour, stopping at Gibraltar, transiting the Suez Canal, and visiting Aden in early December before reaching Singapore on 21. The carrier left Singapore in January 1963, with 803 embarked for Far East exercises. After exercises, five aircraft were disembarked at RNAS Yeovilton. In September 803 rejoined HMSHermes and was later deployed to the Mediterranean, returning to the UK where the squadron disembarked to RNAS Lossiemouth in October.[18][19]
In 1964, 803 mainly operated from RNAS Lossiemouth or RNAS Yeovilton, with brief sea intervals. In February it increased to sixteen Scimitars with aircraft absorbed from the disbanded800 Squadron. In May and the squadron took part in the FAA Jubilee Review at RNAS Yeovilton on 28. It was also set to participate in the SBAC show and conducted deck landing practice onHMS Ark Royal in early December. The squadron embarked in HMSArk Royal in January 1965, for training in February and March. They returned to RNAS Lossiemouth in March, then re-embarked before the carrier's June departure for the Far East. The carrier crossed the Suez Canal and arrived in Aden on 2 July, continuing to Singapore viaPenang. After exercises with USS warships, HMSArk Royal returned to Singapore, and the squadron disembarked atRAF Changi before moving to RAAF Butterworth and the squadron returned to RAF Changi in November. They re-embarked in early December and spent Christmas inFremantle, Australia.[20][21]
HMSArk Royal returned to Singapore at New Year, with the squadron disembarking to RAF Changi. HMSArk Royal next relievedHMS Eagle forBeira Patrols and was succeeded by HMSVictorious on 25 May. On her return to the UK, HMSArk Royal made the last British carrier visit to Aden and transited the Suez Canal in June before 803 Squadron disembarked and returned to RNAS Lossiemouth. The squadron's concluding tour aboard HMSArk Royal commenced on 2 August with an exercise near Norway, which was succeeded by a visit to Oslo, and ultimately returned to Portsmouth to participate in the Navy Day celebration. On 20 September, theQueen Mother visited the squadron on the carrier, after which the squadron disembarked and was officially disbanded on 1 October 1966.[20][21]
The squadron's Scimitars were transferred toRNAS Brawdy,Pembrokeshire. There, they were overhauled, before flying[vague] toAirwork, atHurn. Subsequently, many appeared went on static display in various parts of the UK.[citation needed]
803 Squadron was re-established at RNAS Lossiemouth on 3 July 1967, serving as the Buccaneer Headquarters squadron. Initially equipped withBlackburn Buccaneer S.1, it received S.2 from January 1968.[18] Fitted with a pair ofRolls-Royce Spey Mk.101 turbojet engines, the Buccaneer S.2 realised a 30 percent enhancement in thrust over the S.1, while simultaneously decreasing fuel consumption, which led to an increased operational range. Significantly, on 4 October 1965, a Buccaneer S.2 completed the inaugural non-stoptransatlantic flight by an aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm.[22]
As the Headquarters Squadron, 803 NAS participated in the continuous testing of innovative weapons and avionics. The initial phase of these trials commenced with the evaluation of air-to-airTACAN for refuelling rendezvous, a system that was subsequently adopted widely by the RAF. Additionally, the squadron conducted tests on a variety of weapons, with two of the concluding assignments involving the assessment of Lepus flares and the deployment of the '600lb Shape' - a dummyWE.177 nuclear weapon that was accurately weighted and balanced.[23]
A contingent of four aircraft departed throughNicosia,Masirah, andGan to reachMalaysia, where they joined HMSHermes in theIndian Ocean. They returned in August 1968, utilising air-to-air refuelling withHandley Page Victortankers fromNo. 55 Squadron RAF. Ultimately, the squadron was disbanded on 18 December 1969,[18] following a government decision to scale-down the British carrier force and her aircraft were transferred to the RAF.[24]
The squadron has operated a number of different aircraft types when under the command of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy,[21][3] and briefly the Royal Canadian Navy,[8] including:
Thebattle honours awarded to 803 Naval Air Squadron are:
803 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:[31]
List ofcommanding officers of 803 Naval Air Squadron, with date of appointment:[32][21]
1933–1937
1938–1943
1951–1955
1957–1958
1958–1966
1967–1969
Notes: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[35] Does not includeRoyal Canadian Navy.