720 Naval Air Squadron


720 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm naval air squadron of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. The squadron originated as the Catapult Fight for the New Zealand Division and it achieved squadron status and a shore base at Auckland, New Zealand, before the start of the Second World War. However it was absorbed into 700 Naval Air Squadron in January 1940. The squadron reformed at the beginning of August 1945, from an unnumbered photographic flight originally formed in December 1940, at HMS Peregrine, RNAS Ford, in Sussex, as the RN Photographic Squadron. It moved to HMS Siskin, RNAS Gosport, in Hampshire, during May 1948, but 720 Naval Air Squadron disbanded in January 1950, with 771 Naval Air Squadron taking on the aircraft and duties.

History

Catapult Flight (1936–1940)

720 Naval Air Squadron originated as the catapult flight for the New Zealand Division. 720 Flight, FAA formed on 15 July 1936 at RAF Mount Batten, a Seaplane Station and flying boat base in Plymouth Sound, Devon, England. It operated Supermarine Walrus, amphibious maritime patrol aircraft. The Flight disbanded on 24 May 1939 at Auckland, New Zealand, to become 720 Squadron, FAA. On 21 January 1940 the squadron disbanded, being absorbed into 700 Naval Air Squadron.

Ships' Flights

720 Flight operated a couple of ships’ flights between 1936 and 1940 whilst based out of Auckland, including the light cruiser between 1936 and 1940 and the lead ship of the class between 1938 and 1940.

RN Photographic Squadron (1945–1950)

720 Naval Air Squadron reformed at RNAS Ford (HMS Peregrine), Sussex, on 1 August 1945 by elevating the RN Photographic Flight to squadron status, which itself had formed from an unnumbered Flight of Blackburn Shark torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance biplane and Fairey Seal spotter-reconnaissance biplane, at Ford in December 1940. It was equipped with four Avro Anson, a twin-engine multi-role training aircraft. The squadron worked alongside the RAF photographic development unit at nearby RAF Tangmere, Sussex, and provided its flying task for photographic trainees at the RN school. October 1947 saw the addition of an Airspeed Oxford, a twin-engined training aircraft and during May 1948 the squadron moved to RNAS Gosport (HMS Siskin), Hampshire. In January 1950 720 Naval Air Squadron disbanded with its role and aircraft absorbed by 771 Naval Air Squadron.

Aircraft operated

The squadron operated a small number of different aircraft:

Naval air stations and other airbases

720 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy, a Royal Air Force station and flying boat base, in the United Kingdom and one overseas:
1936 - 1940
1945 - 1950

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 720 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:
1936 - 1940
1945 - 1950
  • Lieutenant Commander J.N. Gladish, RNVR, from 1 July 1945
  • Lieutenant Commander T.G. Stubley, RNVR, from 10 August 1945
  • Lieutenant D.G. Dick, RNVR, from 28 September 1945
  • Lieutenant G.H. Davies, RNVR, from 10 December 1945
  • Lieutenant W.A. Murray, RN, from 14 February 1946
  • Lieutenant E.R.G. Green, RN, from 5 November 1947
  • Lieutenant H. Phillips, RN, from 25 October 1948
  • Lieutenant D.J. Whitehead, RN, from 12 December 1949
  • disbanded - 5 January 1950
Note: Abbreviation signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.