| 726 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active | 7 July 1943 - 3 November 1945[1] |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Fleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron |
| Role | Fleet Requirements Unit |
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | RN Air Section Durban (HMSKongoni) |
| Aircraft | SeeAircraft flown section for full list. |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Per fess blue and Barry wavy of six white and blue, two assegais in saltire points in base surmounted by a Zulu shield all proper (1945)[1] |
726 Naval Air Squadron (726 NAS) was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’sRoyal Navy (RN). It was formed as aFleet Requirements Unit from 1943 to 1945, operating out of RN Air Section Durban (HMSKongoni), located at SAAF Station Stamford Hill, Durban, South Africa, during its existence. It operated various aircraft including, Bristol Beaufighter, Boulton Paul Defiant, Fairey Fulmar, North American Harvard, Vought Kingfisher, Miles Martinet and Fairey Swordfish.
726 Naval Air Squadron formed at RN Air Section Durban (HMSKongoni), located at SAAF Station, Stamford Hill,Durban,South Africa, on 7 July 1943, as a Fleet Requirements Unit. The squadron was initially equipped with twoVought Kingfisher landplane aircraft.[2] From August 1943 the squadron receivedFairey Swordfishbiplanetorpedo bomber andFairey Fulmarcarrier-bornereconnaissance aircraft/fighter aircraft, however, the Fairey Fulmar were gone by October.
In December 1943, the squadron receivedBoulton Paul Defiant, aninterceptor aircraft, repurposed as a target tug aircraft, however, six months later these were withdrawn, replaced byMiles Martinet, atarget tugaircraft, designed specifically for target towing, in June 1944. Additionally,Bristol Beaufightermulti-role aircraft arrived in that month as well, but were gone during the following September.North American Harvard an American single-engined advancedtrainer aircraft, arrived around May 1945, however, 726 Naval Air Station disbanded on the 3 November 1945.[3]
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The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types, including:[3]
726 Naval Air Squadron operated from lodger faculties for one disembarked RN Squadron, at SAAF Station Stamford Hill, Durban, South Africa:
List ofcommanding officers of 726 Naval Air Squadron, with dater of appointment:[3]