895 Naval Air Squadron


895 Naval Air Squadron, sometimes 895 Squadron, was a Fleet Air Arm naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy. It was last active during 1956 where it flew Hawker Sea Hawk.
It was established at HMS Blackcap, RNAS Stretton, as a fighter squadron in November 1942. It started with Hawker Sea Hurricane, which were later replaced with Supermarine Seafire. The squadron was disbanded at RAF Turnhouse in June 1943, and provided fighter flights for 816 and 842 Naval Air Squadrons.
In April 1956, it reformed at HMS Goldcrest, RNAS Brawdy and in August embarked in HMS Bulwark. In November, it participated in the Suez campaign, primarily carrying out attacks on Egyptian airfields. The squadron disembarked at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, in December and was disbanded.

History

Single-seat fighter squadron (1942-1943)

895 Naval Air Squadron was formed at RNAS Stretton (HMS Blackcap), Cheshire, England, on 15 November 1942 as a single-seat fighter unit, initially equipped with six Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB fighter aircraft, a navalised version of the Hawker Hurricane. It was intended to be deployed on an escort carrier, however, the squadron transitioned to nine Supermarine Seafire F Mk.IIc fighter aircraft in March 1943, a navalised Supermarine Spitfire. It ultimately disbanded at RAF Turnhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, on 30 June, serving as the foundation for the fighter flights of 816 and 842 Naval Air Squadrons.

Hawker Sea Hawk (1956)

On 23 April 1956, 895 Naval Air Squadron was reformed at RNAS Brawdy (HMS Goldcrest), Pembrokeshire, Wales, equipped with twelve Hawker Sea Hawk FGA 4 Fighter/Ground attack aircraft, which were later designated as FGA 6. The squadron embarked in the light aircraft carrier, in August. In October, 895 Naval Air Squadron exchanged its aircraft with 897 Naval Air Squadron, receiving twelve Hawker Sea Hawk FB 3, a fighter-bomber variant. Subsequently, in November, the squadron participated in the Suez campaign, primarily engaging in strafing and bombing operations against Egyptian airfields. By December, 895 Naval Air Squadron disembarked at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, England and was subsequently disbanded.

Aircraft operated

The squadron has operated a number of different aircraft types, including:

Naval air stations and aircraft carriers

895 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force stations in the UK and overseas, and also a Royal Navy fleet carrier:
1942 - 1943
1956

Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 895 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:
1942 - 1943
1956
Note: Abbreviation signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.