741 Naval Air Squadron
Active1943–47[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeFleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron
RoleObserver Training Squadron
Operational Flying Training Squadron
Part ofFleet Air Arm
Garrison/HQRNAS Arbroath
RNAS St. Merryn

741 Naval Air Squadron (741 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially active, between 1943 and 1945 as an Observer Training Squadron at RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor).[2] It reformed at RNAS St. Merryn (HMS Vulture), as an Operational Flying Training Unit in 1946.[3]

History of 741 NAS

Observer Training School (1943 - 1945)

741 Naval Air Squadron formed at RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor) as an Observer Training Squadron, part of No.2 Observer Training School on 1 March 1943, equipped with Fairey Swordfish aircraft. It disbanded on 19 March 1945 at RNAS Arbroath.[2]

Operational Flying Training Unit (1946 - 1947)

741 NAS reformed at RNAS St Merryn (HMS Vulture) on 12 August 1946 as an Operational Flying Training Unit. It operated Fairey Firefly FR.I, Supermarine Seafire L Mk.III and North American Harvard III. On 25 November 1947 it disbanded.[3]

Aircraft flown

The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types, including:[2][3]

Fleet Air Arm Bases

741 NAS operated from two air bases:[2][3]

Commanders

741 NAS had a number of commanding officers during its two active periods:[5]

References

Citations

  1. ^ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 64.
  2. ^ a b c d "RNAS Arbroath". www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "RNAS St Merryn". www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  4. ^ Thetford 1991, p. 139.
  5. ^ "741 Naval Air Squadron". www.wings-aviation.ch. Retrieved 29 December 2022.

Bibliography