796 Naval Air Squadron


796 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy which last disbanded at RNAS Culdrose in October 1958. 796 Naval Air Squadron formed as the Eastern Fleet Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Pool, at RN Air Section Port Reitz, in Mombasa, in July 1942, it provided a detachment embarked in HMS Illustrious in August to support the invasion of Madagascar. This Flight also disembarked to Majunga in September to join 207 Group of the Royal Air Force and later rejoined the squadron at RNAS Tanga, in November and added operational training unit to its roles until disbanding in April 1944. It reformed in November 1947 at HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, as the Aircrewman Training School, for conversion of T.A.G.'s to aircrewman standard. Its task changed to Observer School Part II in January 1950. The squadron moved to HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose, in November 1953 and in 1957 took on the task of the disbanded 765 Naval Air Squadron.

History

Eastern Fleet Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Pool (1942-1944)

796 Naval Air Squadron formed on 25 July 1942 as the Eastern Fleet Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Pool, equipped with Fairey Albacore and Fairey Swordfish, both biplane torpedo bomber aircraft. The squadron started its existence at RN Air Section Port Reitz which had lodger facilities at RAF Port Reitz, situated at Mombasa, in Kenya and it’s allocated aircraft were from the recently disbanded 818 Naval Air Squadron. As part of the Battle of Madagascar, ‘A' Flight embarked in the lead ship of her class of aircraft carrier along with the Fairey Fulmar carrier-borne reconnaissance and fighter aircraft equipped 795 Naval Air Squadron, on 29 August.
The Flight disembarked to Majunga, Madagascar, during September and was placed under the control of the Royal Air Force's No. 207 (General Purpose) Group. On 30 September the main section of the squadron relocated from RN Air Sect. Port Reitz to RNAS Tanga, in Tanganyika, East Africa. It wasn't until November that the whole unit reassembled, with the Flight travelling from Majunga to RNAS Tanga and arriving by 17th of the month. Although 796 NAS continued as a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Pool, it also effectively an became operational training unit, and was active for a further 5 months, until disbanding at RNAS Tanga on 28 April 1944.

Aircrewman Training School (1947-1958)

796 Naval Air Squadron reformed on 13 November 1947, as the Aircrewman Training School, at RNAS St Merryn (HMS Vulture), Cornwall, England. It was initially equipped with Fairey Firefly FR.1, a carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft. Fairey Barracuda Mk III, a British carrier-borne torpedo and dive bomber arrived during the latter part of 1949 and the Squadron’s role changed to that of Observer School Part II at the start of 1950. Fairey Firefly T.Mk 3, used for observer training, and AS.Mk 5 anti-submarine variant, were acquired in July, followed by AS.Mk 6 anti-submarine variant, at the end of 1951. The Fairey Barracuda element left 796 NAS to form 750 Naval Air Squadron, which was titled Observer School Part II, on 17 April 1952.
In June 1953 Fairey Firefly T.Mk 7, an anti-submarine training variant, were received and T.Mk 3s were withdrawn. In the following November, 796 Naval Air Squadron relocated to RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), remaining in Cornwall. When 765 Naval Air Squadron disbanded at RNAS Culdrose in March 1957, 796 NAS acquired its aircraft, Boulton Paul Sea Balliol, advanced two-seat trainer aircraft, and took on the role of the Piston Engine Pilots School. At this point the squadron also started to receive Fairey Gannet, a carrier borne anti-submarine warfare aircraft, and these replaced the Fairey Firefly. March 1958 saw the squadron help convert former Douglas Skyraider pilots onto Fairey Gannet aircraft utilising two of the Boulton Paul Sea Balliol. 796 Naval Air Squadron disbanded at RNAS Culdrose on 1 October 1958.

Aircraft flown

The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types and variants:

Naval air stations and aircraft carriers

796 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy, both in the UK and overseas and a Royal Navy aircraft carrier:
1942 - 1944
1947 - 1958

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 796 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:
1942 - 1944
1947 - 1958
  • Lieutenant P.J, Hutton, DSC, RN, from 13 November 1947
  • Lieutenant Commander R.D. Henderson, RN, from 25 October 1949
  • Lieutenant Commander T.J. Harris, RN, from 1 May 1950
  • Lieutenant S.E. Adams, RN, from 7 December 1951
  • Lieutenant Commander J.S. Barnes, RN, from 16 January 1952
  • Lieutenant Commander L.R. Tivy, RN, from 12 August 1953
  • Lieutenant Commander P. Cane, RN, from 17 January 1955
  • Lieutenant Commander A.M. Dennis, RN, from 22 February 1955
  • Lieutenant Commander N.J. Ovenden, RN, from 30 November 1956
  • Lieutenant Commander W.L. Hughes, RN, from 14 March 1957
  • Lieutenant Commander A.H. Smith, RN, from 6 January 1958
  • Lieutenant Commander L.D.M. Searson, RN, from 10 January 1958
  • disbanded - 1 October 1958
Note: Abbreviation signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.