765 Naval Air Squadron

Fairey Seafox, Fleet Air Arm spotter / reconnaissance floatplane, of the type used by 765 NAS

765 Naval Air Squadron formed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), situated near Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire, on the 24 May 1939,[4] as a Basic Seaplane Training and Pool Squadron. It was initially equipped with Walrus amphibian aircraft and, Seafox and Swordfish Seaplane aircraft. The squadron trained pilots in operating seaplane aircraft and provided a pilot reserve for Fleet Air Arm catapult squadrons. In February 1940, 765 NAS received two Blackburn Roc aircraft, fitted with floats, for evaluation.[5]

On the 26 August 1940, the squadron moved to RNAS Sandbanks, located on the premises of the Royal Motor Yacht Club (RMYC) at Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Dorset, which had been requisitioned as a Seaplane base by the Admiralty, taking its collection of Walrus amphibious aircraft, and Swordfish, Seafox and Roc floatplane aircraft. Here it had a new role, providing the Seaplane Flying Training Course Part I, of the basic Seaplane training.[6] In June 1941 both the Swordfish and Roc aircraft were withdrawn from squadron use; The Seafox aircraft were withdrawn one year later, in June 1942, however, at the same time, United States built Vought Kingfisher seaplane aircraft arrived.[5] By mid 1943, the need for dedicated Seaplane Training squadrons had passed and on the 25 October 1943, 765 NAS disbanded.[6]

765 Naval Air Squadron reformed, on the 10 February 1944, at RNAS Charlton Horethorne (HMS Heron II), situated in the hamlet of Sigwells in Somerset, England, as a Travelling Recording Unit. The squadron briefly moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), on the 18 March 1944.[7] One month later, on the 18 April 1944, it relocated to RNAS Worthy Down (HMS Kestrel), located 3.5 miles (6 km) north of Winchester, Hampshire, England, then on the last day of May, it travelled to RNAS Stretton (HMS Blackcap), in the village of Appleton Thorn, south of Warrington, in Cheshire, England. However, at the beginning of August, the squadron returned to RNAS Lee-on-Solent.[5]

In the same month, the squadron was equipped with Wellington aircraft.[4] It received three Wellington GR Mark XI, maritime reconnaissance aircraft. They were ex-RAF Coastal Command and were fitted with ASV Mark II radar. A fourth Wellington aircraft arrived, a T Mark XVII training aircraft, in the following December and this was fitted with a nose-mounted Airborne Interception radar. The squadron primarily operated these aircraft to test the efficiency of radar units, however, as the Wellington was also capable of, and used for, long-range aerial reconnaissance, experienced aerial photographers were assigned to the squadron.

On the 30 September, 765 NAS moved to RNAS Twatt (HMS Tern), located near Twatt, Orkney, Scotland. It remained on Orkney for ten days, before relocating to RAF Hornchurch, located in the parish of Hornchurch, southeast of Romford, Essex, via RAF Eastchurch, on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, England, arriving at Hornchurch on the 14 November, where the role of the squadron was to provide naval co-operation in liaison with No. 567 Squadron RAF, an anti-aircraft co-operation unit. However, seven months later, 765 NAS moved to RAF Manston, located in the north-east of Kent, on the Isle of Thanet, on the 14 June 1945.[5]

In August, 765 NAS was repurposed as a Transport Squadron. It operated three Wellington B Mark X aircraft, however, these were equipped with troop transport type seating.[5] On the 6 October 1945, the squadron moved to RNAS Hal Far (HMS Falcon), which was located at the southern extreme of Malta.[4] It provided air transport for personnel, to and from different parts of the Mediterranean Basin, but primarily bringing them back to Malta for onward travel home.[5] 765 NAS continued in this role until disbanding at Hal Far on the 23 April 1946.[4]

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II, an example of the type used by 765 NAS.

765 Naval Air Squadron reformed at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk),[4] near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula of Cornwall, England, on the 14 February 1955, as a Piston Engine Pilot Pool.[2] The squadron was initially equipped with Firefly aircraft, specifically the T.Mk 2 and T.Mk 7 variants[4] and also provided refresher flying for FAA pilots.[2] In May 1955, the squadron added Oxford II, to its aircraft inventory.

In February 1957, Sea Balliol T.Mk 21 and Sea Devon C Mk 20, were also used, however, the squadron only lasted around one month more, with 765 NAS disbanding at Culdrose on the 25 March 1957.[4]

During its two years of existence, it converted 244 pilots to either Firefly or Oxford aircraft.[2]