716 Naval Air Squadron


716 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy which last disbanded in September 1945. 716 Flight was established in July 1936, originating from a segment of 443 Flight, designated for the vessels of the 6th Cruiser Squadron within the South Africa Station. Initially equipped with Hawker Osprey aircraft, the unit transitioned to operating Fairey Seafox aircraft, utilising Simonstown, South Africa, as its shore base at the onset of the Second World War. However, in 1940, it was amalgamated into 700 Naval Air Squadron. The squadron was reconstituted in June 1944 at HMS Raven, RNAS Eastleigh, located near Southampton, and was designated as the School of Safety Equipment. It operated Supermarine Sea Otter aircraft and a Vickers Wellington to facilitate training in search and rescue operations. A detachment was briefly deployed aboard the escort carrier HMS Ruler in January 1945.

History

Catapult Flight (1936–1940)

No. 716 Flight, FAA, formed on 15 July 1936 at RAF Mount Batten, a Seaplane Station and flying boat base in Plymouth Sound, Devon, England, from part of No. 443 Flight FAA.
It was for ships of the 6th Cruiser Squadron in the South Africa Station. Initially equipped with Hawker Osprey floatplane, a biplane designed for spotting and reconnaissance, which was used in the Leander-class cruiser, HMS Amphion. However, starting in October 1937, with the arrival of sister ship, these aircraft were gradually supplanted by Fairey Seafox floatplane, another reconnaissance biplane. During operations in Home waters, RAF Mount Batten served as the shore base until it was succeeded by RAF Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, England, in January 1938. Additionally, Simonstown, South Africa, functioned as a seaplane base.
The Flight conducted comprehensive reconnaissance missions from HMS Amphion, monitoring British interests near Tenerife during the initial phases of the Spanish Civil War. Later, in late 1939, operations were transferred to HMS Neptune, where the Flight focused on identifying blockade runners near Freetown.
On 21 January 1940, 716 Naval Air Squadron was integrated into 700 Naval Air Squadron; however, the Flight that was embarked continued to function autonomously for an additional four months.

Safety Equipment School (1944-1945)

On 28 June 1944, the 716 Naval Air Squadron was re-established at RNAS Eastleigh (HMS Raven), Hampshire, England. The squadron was outfitted with several Supermarine Sea Otter aircraft, an amphibious air-sea rescue type, as well as a minimum of one Vickers Wellington, a twin-engine medium bomber designed for long-range missions. The primary focus of the squadron was to conduct developmental activities for the School of Safety Equipment.
The unit delivered training on Air Sea Rescue operations utilising a detached Flight stationed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent,, to support the formation of the 1700-series Supermarine Sea Otter squadrons, for the British Pacific Fleet. In January 1945, a detachment from the squadron was assigned to, the lead ship of her class of escort carrier, at Greenock for a brief period.
The disbandment of 716 Naval Air Squadron occurred in September 1945; however, the Air Sea Rescue Flight continued to operate as an independent unit until November.

Aircraft flown

716 Naval Air Squadron operated a number of different aircraft types:

Naval air stations

716 Naval Air Squadron operated from a couple of naval air station of the Royal Navy and a couple of Royal Air Force stations, in the United Kingdom and other locations overseas:
1936 - 1940
1944 - 1945

Ships' Flights

List of Royal Navy Leander-class light cruisers where responsibility for the aircraft belonged to 716 Flight, between 1936 and 1940:

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 716 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:
1936 - 1940
1944 - 1945
Note: Abbreviation signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.