This is a list of naval air stations of the Royal Navy. Naval air stations are shore establishments of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), the branch of the Royal Navy (RN) responsible for the operation of naval aircraft.
Historically, RNAS referred to the Royal Naval Air Service, which was the aviation branch of the Royal Navy. This merged in 1918 with the Royal Flying Corps, of the British Army, to form an independent service, the Royal Air Force (RAF). Currently the abbreviation RNAS stands for "Royal Naval Air Station", and in common with Royal Air Force station naming convention, is always followed by a geographical place in which the air station is located.
Between 1918 and 1939, the Royal Air Force had provided the Fleet Air Arm to the Royal Navy, and Royal Naval Air Stations were consequently operated by Royal Air force personnel.
On 24 May 1939, operation of the Fleet Air Arm was returned to full Admiralty control under the Inskip Award, with Royal Air Force personnel replaced by Royal Naval personnel, or transferring to the Royal Navy.
As Coastal Command remained part of the Royal Air Force, Royal Naval Air Stations, since 1939, have generally operated ship-borne types of aircraft when it has been necessary for them to be operated from land bases.
Current naval air stations
editThe current Fleet Air Arm front-line operations are centred on two main operating bases (MOBs), each with a nearby satellite airfield: (Bold denotes Royal Navy shore establishment, italics denotes other controlled airbase with Fleet Air Arm unit)
- RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk) – Culdrose, Helston, Cornwall, England - (maritime Merlin operations, Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations)
- RNAS Predannack (satellite airfield) – Mullion, Cornwall
- RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) – Yeovilton, Somerset, England - (Wildcat Maritime Force (MWF), Commando Helicopter Force (CHF), Joint Helicopter Command, Wildcat Demo Team)
- RNAS Merryfield (satellite airfield) – Ilton, Somerset
Other airbases
editFleet Air Arm front-line operations are supported by other airbases with activity at:
- HMS Gannet, which is a forward operating base of the Fleet Air Arm located at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, South Ayrshire in Scotland, used by detachments of Royal Navy Merlin HM2 helicopters which are deployed from RNAS Culdrose as and when required.[1]
- RAF Marham - Norfolk, England, the F-35B Lightning II main operating base and a Royal Air Force station, but home to the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm 809 Naval Air Squadron, which is part of Air Combat Force, under No. 1 Group RAF.[2]
Similarly, second-line operations are also conducted from both RNAS Culdrose, with 750 Naval Air Squadron providing training for Royal Navy Observers and Royal Air Force Weapon Systems Officers (WSOs),[3] and RNAS Yeovilton home to 727 Naval Air Squadron with flight assessment and training,[4] but operations are also supported by other airbases:
- Dedicated aircrew training for all three UK armed services sits with the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS).[5]
- RAF Barkston Heath - Lincolnshire, England, home to the Defence Elementary Flying Training School, which includes the Feet Air Arm’s 703 Naval Air Squadron as part of the UKMFTS, and which operates the Grob Prefect T1 in the elementary flying training role.[6]
- RAF Shawbury - Shropshire, England. Home of the tri-service No. 1 Flying Training School, which includes the Fleet Air Arm’s 705 Naval Air Squadron, flying the Airbus Juno HT1. Elements of the Central Flying School (Helicopter) Squadron train helicopter flying instructors, and the Defence College of Air and Space Operations trains air traffic controllers for both the RAF and RN.[7]
Several former airbases are operated by defence contractor QinetiQ in the test and evaluation role, with these locations owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- The former Royal Air Force station at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire is the main facility, and this has a Fleet Air Arm presence.
- MOD Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, England - Test and evaluation airbase operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the MoD. The Fleet Air Arm's 744 Naval Air Squadron is part of the Air and Space Warfare Centre, but predominantly based out of MoD Boscombe Down, and forms part of the Air Test and Evaluation Centre (ATEC).[8][9]
Map of stations within the UK
editMap of the United Kingdom showing active naval air stations, including forward operating bases and satellite airfields, Ministry of Defence (MOD) airfields with a Royal Navy presence and Royal Air Force (RAF) stations with a Royal Navy presence.
Former naval air stations
editWhen control of the Fleet Air Arm was transferred from the Royal Air Force, four of its existing airbases, in the United Kingdom, were also transferred to the Fleet Air Arm, these were: Donibristle, Lee-on-Solent, Ford, and Worthy Down. At that time when operating overseas, the Fleet Air Arm still needed to rely on lodger facilities at Royal Air Force stations abroad.
During the early period of the Second World War the Royal Navy worked to acquire its own airfields, both in the UK and near to strategic bases abroad. Some of these were purpose built and others were transferred over from the Royal Air Force.[10]
These lists covers Fleet Air Arm establishments, located both on the British Isles and overseas. It includes Air Stations, Air Sections, Air Maintenance & Repair Yards, Lodger units at RAF bases, and training establishments. The bases are listed alphabetically, by geographical location.
Key to the types of establishments:
- BCAS - British Commonwealth Air Station
- MONAB - Mobile Naval Air Base
- RAF - Royal Air Force
- RAAF - Royal Australian Air Force
- RCAF - Royal Canadian Air Force
- RNAS - Royal Naval Air Station
- RNAY - Royal Naval Air Yard
- RNAMY - Royal Naval Aircraft Maintenance Yard
- RNARY - Royal Naval Aircraft Repair Yard
- RNADC - Royal Naval Aircraft Direction Centre
- RNAE - Royal Naval Air Establishment
- RNATE - Royal Naval Aircraft Training Establishment
- RNTE - Royal Naval Training Establishment
- SAAF - South African Air Force
- TAMY - Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard
- USAF - United States Air Force
- USNAS - United States Naval Air Station
- USNAF - United States Naval Air Facility
British Isles
editThis list is of former air stations of the Royal Navy within the British Isles, consisting of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland), and over six thousand smaller islands.[11] The Channel Islands, off the north coast of France, are normally taken to be part of the British Isles.[12] The list includes airbases wholly operated by the Admiralty and those where RN lodger units operated, sometimes under a RN Air Section.
RNAS | HMS | RAF | RN Years active | Current county | Country | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abbotsinch | Sanderling | Abbotsinch | 1943–1963 | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Lodger facilities 1939–43. Now Glasgow Airport |
n/a | n/a | Aldergrove | 1939–40 1977–1982 |
County Antrim | Northern Ireland | Naval units as lodgers on an RAF Base. Now Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove |
Angle | Goldcrest | Angle | 1943 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Farmland |
Anglesey | n/a | Mona | 1915–1918 | Anglesey | Wales | Airship station |
Anthorn | Nuthatch | Anthorn | 1944–58 | Cumbria | England | Now Anthorn Radio Station |
Arbroath | Condor | n/a | 1940–1971 | Angus | Scotland | Now RM Condor |
Ayr | Wagtail | Heathfield Ayr |
1944–46 | South Ayrshire | Scotland | |
Bacton | n/a | Bacton | 1915–19 | Norfolk | England | |
Ballyhalbert | Corncrake | Ballyhalbert | 1945 | County Down | Northern Ireland | |
Ballykelly | Sealion | Ballykelly | 1962–1971 | County Londonderry | Northern Ireland | RAF station hosting Joint Ant-Submarine School from 1947, RN having lodger status. Joint RAF-RN station from 1962. Now Shackleton Barracks |
Beccles | Hornbill II | Beccles | −1945 | Suffolk | England | Lodger facilities only. |
Belfast | Gadwall Gannet III |
Sydenham | 1943–1973 | County Antrim | Northern Ireland | Lodger facilities at RAF Sydenham, transferred to Admiralty control June 1943.[13] Now George Best Belfast City Airport |
n/a | n/a | Benbecula | Western Isles | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now Benbecula Airport and RRH Benbecula. | |
n/a | n/a | Benson | Oxfordshire | England | Lodger facilities only. Now RAF Benson | |
n/a | n/a | Bircham Newton | Norfolk | England | Lodger facilities only. | |
n/a | n/a | Boscombe Down | Wiltshire | England | Now MoD Boscombe Down | |
Bramcote | Gamecock | Bramcote | 1946–58 | Warwickshire | England | Now Gamecock Barracks |
n/a | n/a | Bratton | 1943–44 | Shropshire | England | Provided training facilities for RNAS Hinstock during 1943/44 |
Brawdy | Goldcrest Goldcrest II |
Brawdy | 1946–1971 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Now Cawdor Barracks |
Bungay | Europa II | Bungay Flixton |
1945–46 | Suffolk | England | |
Burscough | Ringtail | n/a | 1943–46 | Lancashire | England | |
Bush Barn | n/a | Bush Barn No. 44 SLG |
1944–45 | Oxfordshire | England | RN Air Section, on the books of Kestrel. |
Calshot | n/a | Calshot | 1913–22 | Hampshire | England | |
Campbeltown | Landrail Landrail II |
n/a | 1940–45 | Argyll & Bute | Scotland | Located 1 mile SE of RAF Machrihanish, grass landing ground north of the B843. |
Capel | n/a | Folkestone | 1915–19 | Kent | England | |
Cattewater | n/a | Cattewater Mount Batten |
1917–18 | Devon | England | |
Charlton Horethorne | Heron II | Charlton Horethorne | 1943–45 | Somerset | England | |
Chingford | n/a | Chingford | 1915–19 | Greater London | England | Now William Girling Reservoir |
n/a | Raven | Christchurch | ?-1945 | Dorset | England | Lodger facilities with a Naval Air Section and the Naval Air Radio Installation Unit. |
n/a (Station in Reserve) | n/a | Cluntoe | 1947-mid 1950s | County Tyrone | Northern Ireland | Used occasionally. |
Covehithe | n/a | Covehithe | 1915–19 | Suffolk | England | |
Cowdray Park | n/a | n/a | 1941–45 | West Sussex | England | Private airfield requisitioned for the storage of obsolescent naval aircraft. |
Crail | Bruce Jackdaw |
Crail | 1940–1961 | Fife | Scotland | |
RNAS Training Establishment, Cranwell | Daedalus Thunderbolt |
Cranwell | 1916–1918 | Lincolnshire | England | Now Royal Air Force College |
Culham | Hornbill | n/a | 1944–1953 | Oxfordshire | England | Now Culham Science Centre |
Culmhead | n/a | Culmhead Churchstanton |
Somerset | England | Lodger facilities only. Now Culmhead Business Centre | |
Dale | Goldcrest | Dale | 1943–48 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Farmland/caravan sites |
n/a | n/a | Defford | Worcestershire | England | RN Air Section attached to Telecommunications Flying Unit RAF. | |
n/a | n/a | Detling | 1940–41 | Kent | England | Lodger facilities only. |
n/a | n/a | Docking | 1942–44 | Norfolk | England | Lodger facilities only. |
Donibristle | Merlin | Donibristle | 1939–1959 | Fife | Scotland | |
Dounreay | Tern III | 1944–54 | Highland | Scotland | Never commissioned. | |
Drem | Nighthawk | Drem | 1945–46 | East Lothian | Scotland | Lodger facilities until 1945. |
Dundee | Condor II | Dundee | 1941–44 | Dundee City | Scotland | Seaplane base / repair depot. |
n/a | n/a | Dundonald | 1944 | South Ayrshire | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. |
Dunino | Jackdaw II | Dunino | 1942–46 | Fife | Scotland | |
n/a | n/a | Duxford | 1941–43 | Cambridgeshire | England | Lodger facilities only. |
East Fortune | n/a | East Fortune | 1915–18 | East Lothian | Scotland | National Museum of Flight |
East Haven | Peewit | 1943–46 | Angus | Scotland | ||
Eastchurch | n/a | Eastchurch | 1910–1918 | Kent | England | Now HM Prison Standford Hill |
Eastleigh | Raven | Eastleigh Southampton |
1917–20, 1935–39, 1939–1947 | Hampshire | England | Now Southampton Airport |
Eglinton | Gannet | Eglinton | 1943–1959 1960–63 |
County Londonderry | Northern Ireland | Now City of Derry Airport |
Evanton | Fieldfare | Evanton Novar |
1944–48 | Highland | Scotland | |
Fairlop | n/a | Fairlop | 1916-18 | Essex | England | Playing fields, to north of WW2 RAF Fairlop |
Fearn | Owl | Fearn | 1942–46 | Highland | Scotland | |
Felixstowe | n/a | Felixstowe | 1913–19 | Suffolk | England | See Seaplane Experimental Station |
Fishguard | n/a | 1917–19 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | ||
Ford | Peregrine | Ford Ford Junction |
1939–1958 | West Sussex | England | Now HM Prison Ford |
n/a | n/a | Fraserburgh | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. | |
Goldhanger | n/a | Goldhanger | 1915–16 | Essex | England | Farmland |
Gosport | Siskin | Gosport | 1940–56 | Hampshire | England | |
Grimsetter | Robin | Grimsetter | 1943–45 | Orkney | Scotland | Now Kirkwall Airport |
Haldon | Heron II | Haldon | 1941–43 | Devon | England | |
Halesworth | Sparrowhawk | Halesworth | 1945–46 | Suffolk | England | Lodger facilities until 1945 |
Hatston | Sparrowhawk Tern II |
1939–1945 | Orkney | Scotland | ||
Heath Row | n/a | Heathrow | 1944–45 | Greater London | England | Lodger facilities for a flight of 781 Naval Air Squadron only. Now Heathrow airport |
Henstridge | Dipper | n/a | 1943–46 1946–1954 |
Somerset | England | Henstridge Airfield, One of only 2 RNAS stations with 5 runways (Arbroath being the other), one of which had a dummy deck landing area with arrestor system for carrier training |
Hinstock | Godwit | Ollerton | 1943–47 | Shropshire | England | |
Hornsea Mere | n/a | Atwick | ?-1918 | East Yorkshire | England | |
Inskip | Nightjar | n/a | 1943–46 | Lancashire | England | |
Jersey | n/a | Helier | 1940 | Jersey | Channel Islands | Requisitioned by the Admiralty. RN Air Section, on the books of Kestrel. Jersey Airport |
Kete | Harrier | n/a | 1945–1961 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | |
Kingsnorth | n/a | Kingsnorth | 1914–25 | Kent | England | WW1 airship station on Isle of Grain on south bank of R Thames |
Kirkistown | Corncrake II | Kirkistown | 1945–46 | County Down | Northern Ireland | Lodger facilities only during WWII. Satellite airfield from July 1945. |
n/a | n/a | Langham | 1942–44 | Norfolk | England | Lodger facilities only. |
Lawrenny Ferry | Daedalus II | n/a | 1942–43 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Riverbank slipway |
Lee-on-Solent | Ariel Daedalus |
Lee-on-Solent | 1939–1995 | Hampshire | England | |
n/a | n/a | Leuchars | ?-1938 1972–78 |
Fife | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now Leuchars Station |
Limavady | n/a | Limavady | 1944 1945–? |
County Londonderry | Northern Ireland | Lodger facilities during 1944. Naval charge from 1945. |
Long Kesh | n/a | Long Kesh | 1944–45 | County Antrim | Northern Ireland | Lodger facilities only. |
Lossiemouth | Fulmar | Lossiemouth | 1946–1972 | Moray | Scotland | Now RAF Lossiemouth. RN lodger status 1972–79. |
Luce Bay | n/a | West Freugh | 1940–43 | Dumfries and Galloway | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now MoD West Freugh |
Ludham | Flycatcher | Ludham | 1944–? | Norfolk | England | Farmland/private airstrip |
Lympne | Buzzard Daedalus II |
Lympne | 1939–1940 | Kent | England | Buzzard - Support of disembarked squadrons, Daedalus II - Technical training of Air Apprentices and Air Fitters |
Machrihanish | Landrail | Machrihanish | 1941–46 1951–52 |
Argyll & Bute | Scotland | Now MoD Machrihanish & Campbeltown Airport |
Macmerry | Nighthawk II | Macmerry | 1945–46 | East Lothian | Scotland | |
Manston | Manston | 1933–35 WW2 1974 |
Kent | England | Used by FAA squadron between 1933 and 1935. Lodger facilities during WW2 and used by 845 Naval Air Squadron briefly during early 1974. Now Manston Airport | |
Maydown | Shrike Gannet II |
Maydown | 1943–45 | County Londonderry | Northern Ireland | |
Middle Wallop | Flycatcher | Middle Wallop | 1945–46 | Hampshire | England | Now AAC Middle Wallop |
Milltown | Fulmar II | Milltown | 1946–1972 | Moray | Scotland | |
Milton Pembroke |
n/a | Carew Cheriton Pembroke |
1914–18 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | |
Narborough | n/a | Narborough | Aug 1916-1916 | Norfolk | England | Farmland to NE of RAF Marham |
n/a | n/a | North Coates | 1940–41 | Lincolnshire | England | |
Nutts Corner | Pintail | Nutts Corner | 1945–46 | County Antrim | Northern Ireland | |
n/a | n/a | Pembroke Dock | 1940–41 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Lodger facilities only. |
Peplow | Godwit II | Peplow | 1945–49 | Shropshire | England | |
n/a | n/a | Perranporth | 1944 | Cornwall | England | Lodger facilities only. |
n/a | n/a | Peterhead | 1942–44 | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. |
Portland | Osprey | Portland | 1959–1999 | Dorset | England | Also previously HMS Sarepta |
Prestwick | Gannet | Prestwick | 1971–2016 | South Ayrshire | Scotland | Now Glasgow Prestwick Airport |
Pulham | n/a | Pulham | 1915-1918 | Norfolk | England | Airship station |
Rattray Head Rattray Crimond |
Merganser | Oct 1944– Sept 1946 |
Aberdeenshire | Scotland | ||
Redcar | Redcar | 1915–1919 | North Yorkshire | England | ||
Roborough | Drake II | Roborough | 1939–1942 Postwar |
Devon | England | Now Plymouth City Airport |
Ronaldsway | Urley | Ronaldsway | 1944–46 | Isle of Man | ||
Sandbanks | Daedalus | n/a | 1940–43 | Dorset | England | |
n/a | n/a | St Davids | 1947–1961 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Used by Airworks Air Direction Training Unit |
n/a | n/a | St Mawgan Trebelzue |
1954–56 | Cornwall | England | Used by 744 Naval Air Squadron |
St Merryn | Curlew Vulure |
1940–1956 | Cornwall | England | ||
Skaebrae | Tern II | Skaebrae | 1940–? | Orkney | Scotland | Lodger facilities only initially. |
n/a | n/a | Skitten | 1940–41 | Highland | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. |
Speke | n/a | Speke | 1942–45 | Merseyside | England | Lodger facilities only initially, housed a RN Air Section. Now Liverpool John Lennon Airport |
Stornoway | Mentor II | Stornoway | 1940–41 1943–44 |
Western Isles | Scotland | Seaplanes operated from Stornoway harbour 1940–41. Subsequently, lodger facilities available at RAF Stornoway airfield. |
Stretton | Blackcap | n/a | 1942–1958 | Cheshire | England | |
Sullom Voe | n/a | Sullom Voe | 1940–41 | Shetland | Scotland | Lodger unit on an RAF seaplane base. |
n/a | n/a | Sumburgh | 1941–42 | Shetland | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now Sumburgh Airport |
Tangmere | n/a | Tangmere | 1942–50 | West Sussex | England | Lodger facilities only initially, the Naval Air Fighting Development Unit was present at some point. |
Thorney Island | n/a | Thorney Island | 1940–48 | West Sussex | England | Lodger facilities only initially, used by the Naval Air Sea Warfare Development Unit at some point. Now Baker Barracks |
Tresco | n/a | Tresco | 1917–19 | Isles of Scilly, Cornwall | England | |
n/a | n/a | Turnhouse | 1942–44 | City of Edinburgh | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now Edinburgh Airport |
Twatt | Tern | n/a | 1941–1957 | Orkney | Scotland | Purpose built by the Admiralty, on books of Sparrowhawk, then independent Command Tern |
Walmer | n/a | Walmer | 1917–1918 | Kent | England | Hawkshill Freedown (open land) |
Woodvale | Ringtail II | Woodvale | 1942–45 1945–46 |
Merseyside | England | Lodger facilities only initially, satellite airfield postwar. |
Worthy Down | Kestrel Ariel |
Worthy Down | 1938–39 1939–1950 1952–1960 |
Hampshire | England | Lodger facilities only pre WWII. Now Worthy Down Camp |
Zeals | Hummingbird | Zeals | 1945–46 | Wiltshire | England |
Weapons Ranges
editList of former Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm air weapons ranges (AWR) within the United Kingdom,although FAA aircraft have used other weapons ranges in the UK and abroad, operated by other authorities:[14]
Name | Commissioned | RAF | RN Years active | Current county | Country | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RNAS Banff | n/a | RAF Banff | 1947-72 | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Used for simulated bombing by RNAS Lossiemouth units. Unmanned satellite to RNAS Lossiemouth.[15] Part of the site is now Boyndie wind farm.[16] |
Royal Navy Aircraft Range Lilstock | n/a | n/a | - 2014 | Somerset | England | Coastal range on Bridgwater Bay, controlled by RNAS Yeovilton. From 1995 the site was reclassified as a helicopter gunnery range only.[17] |
RNAS Tain | n/a | RAF Tain | 1946–72 | Highland | Scotland | Tain Air Weapons Range. Parented by RNAS Lossiemouth, transferred from RAF at the same time. Air-to-ground weapons range on coast next to Tain airfield. |
RNAS Treligga | Vulture II | n/a | 1940-55 | Cornwall | England | Fleet Air Arm live firing range & emergency landing ground under control of RNAS St Merryn, then RNAS Culdrose from 1953. |
Overseas
editThis list is of former air stations of the Royal Navy located outside of the British Isles. The list includes airbases wholly operated by the Admiralty and those where lodger facilities from the RAF were granted and operated under a RN Air Section.
RNAS | HMS | RAF | RN Years active | Current county | Country | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aboukir | Nile II | Aboukir | 1935–42 | Lodger facilities for a RN Air Section on RAF Station | ||
Addu Atoll | Haitian Maraga |
Gan | 1942-45 | Purpose built for the Admiralty. Now Gan International Airport | ||
Andrakaka | Ironclad | Andrakaka | 1942-43 | Captured Vichy French airfield, RN Air Section | ||
Archerfield | Nabsford Nabreekie |
n/a | 1945–46 | Queensland | RNAMY Archerfield used for: TAMY I (Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard No. 1) MONAB VII | |
Argentia | Avalon III | n/a | 1943–44 | Newfoundland | Lodger facilities for RN Air Section at US Naval Air Station Argentia, now Naval Station Argentia | |
Bankstown | Nabberley | n/a | 1944–46 | New South Wales | MONAB II. Now Bankstown Airport | |
Bermuda | Malabar | n/a | 1939-44 | Sandys Parish | Operated from North Yard of Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda on Ireland Island until relocating to Boaz Island in 1940. Care-and-maintenance status by 1945. Disposed of with other Admiralty and War Office land in 1950s | |
Brunswick | Saker | n/a | 1943-45 | Maine | U.S. Naval Air Station loaned to the Admiralty | |
Coimbatore | Garuda | n/a | 1942–46 | Cochin | Aircraft Repair Yard. Parent station to: RN Air Section Cochin, RN Air Station Sulur. Now Coimbatore International Airport | |
Colombo Racecourse | Bherunda | Colombo Racecourse | 1943–45 | Colombo | Now Colombo Racecourse | |
Dartmouth | Seaborn | n/a | 1940–46 | Nova Scotia | Lodger facilities for an RN air section at an RCAF base only. Now CFB Shearwater | |
Dekheila | Grebe Nile II |
LG-34/LG-235 | 1940–46 | |||
Durban | Kongoni | n/a | 1940-46 | Durban | R.N. Air Section Durban at S.A.A.F. Station, Stamford Hill | |
Fayid | Pheonix | Fayid | 1941-46 | R.N. Aircraft Repair Yard. RAF station transferred to Admiralty control | ||
Floyd Bennett Field | Saker | n/a | 1942- | Lodger facilities for an RN Air Section and disembarked squadrons from 1942.[18] | ||
Hal Far | Falcon | Hal Far | 1929–50 1952–67 |
|||
Hastings | Spurwing | Hastings | 1943–44 | Lodger facilities until 1943 | ||
Hiswa | Rapax | Hiswa | Lodger facility for an RN Air Section on RAF station. Transferred to the Admiralty for development as Royal Naval Air Station | |||
Jervis Bay | Nabswick | n/a | 1945–46 | New South Wales | MONAB V | |
Kai Tak | Nabcatcher Flycatcher |
Kai Tak | 1938–40 1945-78 |
Kowloon Bay | MONAB VIII. Lodger facilities 1948 - 1978 | |
Kaldadarnes | Baldur II | Kaldadarnes | 1943 | Lodger facilities for an RN Air Section | ||
Katukurunda | Ukussa | Katukurunda | 1942-46 | Katukurunda | Transferred from the Royal Air Force in 1942 and returned in 1946. Now Katukurunda Airport | |
Kilindini | Kipanga | n/a | 1942–44 | Mombasa | ||
Komenda | Wara | Takoradi | Oct–Dec 1943 | Now Takoradi Airport | ||
Lewiston | Saker | n/a | 1943–45 | Maine | Now Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport | |
Mackinnon Road | Tana Kipanga II |
n/a | 1942–44 | Taita-Taveta | Now Mackinnon Road Airport | |
Maharagama | Monara | n/a | 1943–46 | Maharagama | Royal Naval Air Ceylonese Training Establishment in Maharagama which was later taken over by the National Teachers' Training College.[20] | |
Maryborough | Nabstock | n/a | 1945–46 | Queensland | MONAB VI | |
Minnerya | n/a | Minnerya | 1942–46 | Lodger facilities only. Now Hingurakgoda Airport | ||
Nairobi | Korongo | n/a | 1942-44 | Nairobi | R.N. Aircraft Repair Yard. Reserve aircraft storage | |
Norfolk | Saker | n/a | Lodger facilities at a US Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field for FAA squadrons and an Air Section.[21] | |||
Nowra | Nabbington Nabswick |
n/a | Jan–Nov 1945 1945–1946 |
New South Wales | MONAB I MONAB V. Now HMAS Albatross (air station) | |
Palisadoes | Malabar III Buzzard |
n/a | 1941–43 | Kingston | Now Norman Manley International Airport | |
Piarco | Malabar II Goshawk |
n/a | 1940–46 | Now Piarco International Airport | ||
Ponam | Nabaron | n/a | Apr–Nov 1945 | Admiralty Islands | MONAB IV. Former United States Navy airstrip transferred to the RN on loan | |
Port Reitz | Kipanga | Port Reitz | 1942-44 | Mombasa | Lodger facilities for an RN Air Section at an RAF station. Now Moi International Airport | |
Puttalam | Rajaliya | n/a | 1942–45 | Puttalam District | Now SLAF Palavi (Sri Lanka Air Force Palavi).[22] | |
Quonset Point | Asbury | n/a | 1942–43 | Rhode Island | Now Quonset Point Air National Guard Station | |
Ras el-Tin Point | Nile | Apr 1939– Jun 1946 |
Alexandria | |||
Schofields | Nabthorpe Nabstock |
n/a | Feb–Nov 1945 Nov 1945–June 1946 |
New South Wales | MONAB III MONAB VI. Now HMAS Nirimba, up for sale. | |
Sembawang | Simbang Nabrock |
Sembawang | 1939-71 | MONAB IX. Now Sembawang Air Base | ||
Sigiriya | n/a | Sigiriya | Lodger facilities only. Now Sigiriya Airport | |||
Squantum | Saker | n/a | 1943-44 | Norfolk County, Massachusetts | US Naval Air Station Squantum loaned to the Admiralty.[23] | |
Sulur | Vairi | n/a | 1944-46 | Now Sulur Air Force Station | ||
Tafaraouri | Cormorant II | n/a | 1943-44 | Lodger facility for an RN Air Section on Twelfth Air Force fighter station. Later Lodger rights for one squadron.[24] Now Oran Tafraoui Airport | ||
Takali | Goldfinch St Angelo |
Ta Kali | 1945–53 | 1943 RN Lodger unit, 1944 Transferred to RN on temporary loan in February, 1945 Full control transferred to Admiralty in April | ||
Tambaram | Valluru | Tambaram | 1944–45 | Madras | Now Tambaram Air Force Station | |
Tanga | Kilele | n/a | 1942–44 | Now Tanga Airport | ||
Trincomalee | Bambara | China Bay | 1940-50 | Trincomalee | Lodger facility for RN Air Section from August 1940. Station transferred to the Admiralty on 15 November 1944 and renamed RNAS Trincomalee. Now China Bay Airport | |
Vizagapatam | n/a | Vizagapatam | 1944-45 | Lodger facilities for an RN Fleet Requirements Unit. Now Visakhapatnam Airport | ||
Voi | Tana Kipanga II |
n/a | 1944 | Never commissioned | ||
Wingfield | Malagas | n/a | 1942–46 | Western Cape | Now SAS Wingfield | |
Yarmouth | Canada Seaborn |
n/a | 1943-45 | Nova Scotia | Lodger facilities for an RN air section at an RCAF base only. RCAF Station Yarmouth |
Mobile Naval Air Base
editThe Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB) were designed to have all the capabilities of an air station or an aircraft carrier, to support the Fleet Air Arm, and that could be deployed anywhere around the world. There were eleven commissioned units, ten MONABs and one Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard (TAMY), ten of these saw active service for the British Pacific Fleet:[25]
Unit name | Ship's name | Commissioned | Paid Off | Located |
---|---|---|---|---|
MONAB I | HMS Nabbington | 28 October 1944 | 15 November 1945 | Nowra, Australia |
MONAB II | HMS Nabberley | 18 November 1944 | 31 March 1946 | Bankstown, Australia |
MONAB III | HMS Nabthorpe | 4 December 1944 | 15 November 1945 | Schofields, New South Wales, Australia |
MONAB IV | HMS Nabaron | 1 January 1945 | 10 November 1945 | |
MONAB V | HMS Nabswick | 1 Feb 1945 | 18 Mar 1946 | Jervis Bay, Australia |
MONAB VI | HMS Nabstock | 1 Apr 1945 | 9 Jun 1946 | Maryborough, Queensland, Australia |
MONAB VII | HMS Nabreekie | 1 Jun 1945 | 5 Nov 1945 | Meeandah, Brisbane, Australia |
MONAB VIII | HMS Nabcatcher | 1 Jul 1945 | 1 Apr 1947 | Kai Tak, Hong Kong |
MONAB IX | HMS Nabrock | 1 Aug 1945 | 15 Dec 1945 | Sembawang, Singapore |
MONAB X | HMS Nabhurst | 1 Sep1945 | 12 Oct 1945 | Middle Wallop, Hampshire, England |
TAMY I | HMS Nabsford | 1 Feb 1945 | 31 Mar 1946 | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
Former naval air stations by ship name (HMS xxx)
editHMS means His Majesty's Ship (or Her Majesty's Ship).
Some smaller and some very early Naval Air Stations in the list above were not commissioned as HM Ship(s). Those below were commissioned and, therefore, have a ship's name. Royal Navy shore bases and naval air stations have traditionally been named in the same manner as seagoing ships.
Officers were appointed to HMS xxx rather than to RNAS xxx and, similarly, ratings' Service Certificates will show only the name of the ship when drafted to a Naval Air Station. Thus, this list may help when researching family history records.[citation needed]
See also
edit- Mobile Naval Air Base
- List of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies
- List of Royal Air Force stations
- List of Royal Navy shore establishments
- Royal Navy Dockyard
- Seaplane bases in the United Kingdom
- Aircraft Handler
- List of airfields of the Army Air Corps
- Lists of military installations
- List of British Army installations
References
editCitations
edit- ^ "Flying Tigers practise lifesaving exercises". Royal Navy. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Return of the Immortals sees second F-35 Lightning Squadron join the frontline". Royal Air Force. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "750 Naval Air Squadron train the RAF". royal navy. Royal Navy. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "727 Naval Air Squadron". royal navy. Royal Navy. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Ascent Flight Training". Ascent. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Perfect Prefect as Lucas makes RN history in new training aircraft". Royal Navy. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "RAF Shawbury". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Air Test & Evaluation Centre (ATEC) support to CSG-21 Capability". Qinetiq. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "744 Naval Air Squadron". royalnavy.mod.uk. Royal Navy. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Air Stations - Air Sections - Air Yards - Air Establishments - Lodger Units". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "British Isles". Britannica Online. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary: "British Isles: a geographical term for the islands comprising Great Britain and Ireland with all their offshore islands including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands."
- ^ "Belfast". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 424.
- ^ "Banff". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Banff (Boyndie)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Why is there a giant concrete arrow on…". burnhamandhighbridgenews.co.uk. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Floyd Bennett Field". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association, FAAOA
- ^ "H.M.S. MONARA". royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Norfolk". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Sri Lanka Air Force Palavi". AirForce.lk. Sri Lanka Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016.
- ^ "Squantum". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Tafaraouri". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "The MONAB Story". Royal Navy Research Archive - The MONAB Story. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
"FAA Bases home page". Retrieved 21 March 2016.
Bibliography
edit- Ballance, Theo; Howard, Lee; Sturtivant, Ray (2016). The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm. Air Britain Historians Limited. ISBN 978-0-85130-489-2.