743 Naval Air Squadron
743 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. It was active from March 1943 to March 1945 as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron, part of No. 2 Telegraphist Air Gunner School based at R.N. Air Section Yarmouth, Canada.
In June 1946, 743 Naval Air Squadron was re-established at RCAF Dartmouth as a Fleet Requirements Unit for the Royal Canadian Navy, becoming part of No. 1 Training Air Group. Initially equipped with Fairey Swordfish and Supermarine Walrus aircraft, it later added North American Harvard and Avro Anson planes for training. From May 1949 to May 1952, it operated as a subordinate Flight within 1 TrAG, and on 1 May 1954, it was renamed VU-32 Squadron.
History
Royal Navy
Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron (1943-1945)
743 Naval Air Squadron formed at R.N. Air Section Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron, on the 1 March 1943. It was part of No.2 Telegraphist Air Gunner School, within the Royal Navy No.1 Naval Air Gunnery School, which was under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The squadron was equipped with Fairey Swordfish II, a biplane torpedo bomber, Supermarine Walrus II, an amphibious maritime patrol aircraft and Avro Anson, a multi-role training aircraft.All training ceased on 19 March 1945 at R.N. Air Section Yarmouth and 743 Naval Air Squadron wound down. All of the squadrons aircraft were moved and delivered to R.N. Air Section Dartmouth (HMS Seaborn), Nova Scotia, Canada and this was completed on the 30 March 1945, with 743 Naval Air Squadron disbanding at R.N. Air Section Yarmouth, on the same date.
Royal Canadian Navy
Fleet requirements unit (1946-1954)
In June 1946, Squadron 743 was re-established at RCAF Dartmouth as a Fleet Requirements Unit of the Royal Canadian Navy, subsequently integrating into No. 1 Training Air Group shortly after its formation. Initially equipped with Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber aircraft for various utility functions and Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft, which were soon decommissioned, the squadron later incorporated North American Harvard advanced trainer aircraft for pilot training and Avro Anson aircraft for navigation and communication training for Observers and Observer Mates, as well as for additional utility purposes. From May 1949 until May 1952, the squadron functioned as a subordinate Flight within 1 TrAG, and on 1 May 1954, it was reclassified as VU-32 Squadron.Aircraft flown
The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types when under the command of the Royal Navy, then subsequently the Royal Canadian Navy, including:Royal Navy
- Fairey Swordfish II torpedo bomber
- Avro Anson Mk II multi-role training aircraft
- Avro Anson Mk I multi-role training aircraft
- Supermarine Walrus amphibious maritime patrol aircraft
Royal Canadian Navy
- Fairey Swordfish II torpedo bomber
- Supermarine Walrus amphibious maritime patrol aircraft
- North American Harvard II advanced training aircraft
- de Havilland Tiger Moth training aircraft
- Avro Anson Mk V multirole training aircraft
- Grumman Avenger AS3 anti-submarine warfare aircraft
Naval air stations
Royal Navy
743 Naval Air Squadron operated from a single naval air station of the Royal Navy, in Canada:1943-1945
- RN Air Section Yarmouth, Nova Scotia,
- disbanded -
Royal Canadian Navy
743 Squadron RCN operated from a single Royal Canadian Air Force station:1946-1954
- RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia,
- became VU 32 -
Commanding officers
Royal Navy
List of commanding officers of 743 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:- Lieutenant Commander R. Gillett, RNVR, from 1 March 1943
- disbanded - 30 March 1945
Royal Canadian Navy
List of commanding officers of 743 Squadron RCN:- Lieutenant(N) J.N. Donaldson, RCN, from 18 June 1946
- Lieutenant-commander W.E. Widdows, RCN, from 30 August 1947
- Lieutenant-commander C.G. Smith, RCN, from 20 November 1948
- none 16 May 1949
- Lieutenant R.J. Watson, RCN, from 12 May 1952
- became VU-32 - 1 May 1954