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737 Naval Air Squadron
737 NAS badge
Active22 February 1943 - 28 September 1943
15 March 1944 - 12 November 1945
30 March 1949 - 22 November 1957
28 August 1959 - 7 February 1983[1]
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeFleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron
Role
  • Amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance Training Squadron
  • ASV Training Unit
  • Naval Anti-Submarine School
  • Anti-Submarine Operational Flying School
SizeSquadron
Part ofFleet Air Arm
Last Naval Air StationRNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)
Motto(s)Purposeful
AircraftSee Aircraft operated section for full list.
EngagementsFalklands War
Battle honoursFalkland Islands 1982
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Commander Ronald Leonard, MBE, DFC, AFC, RN[2]
Insignia
Squadron Badge DescriptionBarry wavy of eight white and blue, a foil point in base proper the blade winged gold (1952)[3]
Identification MarkingsD1A+ (Walrus)
K4A+ (Swordfish/Anson from March 1944) to A2+ (August 1944)
100-119 (Seafire)
200-231 (Firefly)
400-434 (Gannet) (from March 1949 to January 1956)
617-627 (Gannet) (from January 1956 to November 1957)
760-789 (Whirlwind)
770-776 (Wessex)
520-529 (Wessex July 1965)
434-437, 520-528 (Wessex August 1968)
524-529 (Sea King)
650-646 (Wessex)
660-665 (Sea King April 1973)
400-407/ships ID letters (Ships’ Flights June 1970)[4][5]
Tail CodesGN (1949 – 1957)
PO (1962 – 1983)[6]
An operational Fleet Air Arm Westland Wessex HAS.1 of 737 Squadron NAS at RNAS Yeovilton in 1966. The PO code indicates the squadron base at RNAS Portland, Dorset.

737 Naval Air Squadron (737 NAS) was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). It was initially active during 1943 as an amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance Training Squadron. Reactivated in 1944 it operated as an ASV Training Unit until 1945. It was active again between 1949 and 1957. From 1959 it was the Anti-Submarine Warfare school at RNAS Portland. It operated Westland Wessex HAS.3 rescue helicopters from their land base at RNAS Portland, Dorset.[7]

History

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Amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance Training Squadron (1943)

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737 Naval Air Squadron initially formed at RNAS Dunino (HMS Jackdaw II), Fife, Scotland, on 22 February 1943 as an Amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance training squadron. It was equipped with Supermarine Walrus, an amphibious maritime patrol aircraft. However, the need for catapult-launched amphibious aircraft significantly decreased and after seven months of operation the squadron disbanded, on 28 September 1943.[4]

ASV Training Unit (1944 – 1945)

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The squadron then reformed as an air-to-surface-vessel radar (ASV radar) Training Unit at RNAS Inskip (HMS Nightjar), Lancashire, England, on 15 March 1944.[3] It was equipped with Fairey Swordfish Mk II, a biplane torpedo bomber, and Avro Anson Mk I, a multi-role training aircraft, these particular aircraft being fitted out as flying classrooms.[4] The squadron's role was to train aircrew for anti-shipping work using ASV Mark X and Mark XI radar.[3]

737 Naval Air Squadron moved to RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor), Angus, Scotland, on 28 August 1944, with its Fairy Swordfish and Avro Anson aircraft.[8] The squadron remained at RNAS Arbroath for around eight months before moving south to RNAS Burscough (HMS Ringtail), Lancashire, on 15 April 1945. Here, in August 1945 it received Fairey Barracuda, a British carrier-borne torpedo and dive bomber,[4] however, 737 Naval Air Squadron disbanded into 735 Naval Air Squadron in November 1945.[3]

Naval Anti-Submarine School (1949 - 1957)

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737 Naval Air Squadron reformed at RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet), County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on 30 March 1949.[9] It provided Part II of the Operational Flying School Course and training included air weapon use, basic anti-submarine warfare and deck landing. The squadron was equipped with Supermarine Seafire, a navalised version of the Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft, and Fairey Firefly, a carrier-borne fighter and anti-submarine aircraft.[3]

In April 1950 the squadrons Supermarine Seafire aircraft were transferred to 738 Naval Air Squadron, and 737 Naval Air Squadron was then the foundation for the Naval Anti-Submarine School (NASS). Also that same month, an ‘X’ Flight was formed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, England, for trials with search receivers to detect submarine radar.[3] This unit was equipped with a Fairey Firefly and an Avro Anson, and after spending some time at R. N. Air Section Gibraltar, at RAF North Front, Gibraltar, it returned to RNAS Lee-on-Solent.[10] It moved to RNAS Eglinton in June 1951, [5] and during the month of July in 1951 the ‘X’ Flight was involved in a trial around the suitability of the British Radio Directional Sonobuoy Mk 1 for Fleet Air Arm aircraft.[11] The flight became 744 Naval Air Squadron in the same month.[12]

In June 1950, 737 Naval Air Squadron became administered by the 53rd Training Air Group, alongside 719 Naval Air Squadron, which was also now part of the NASS. 1955 saw the withdrawal of the Fairey Firefly aircraft, which were replaced by Fairey Gannet, a carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare aircraft.[3] On 22 November 1957, the squadron disbanded at RNAS Eglinton,[9] into 719 Naval Air Squadron.[3]

Anti-Submarine Operational Flying School (1959 - 1983)

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737 Naval Air Squadron reformed again on 28 August 1959 at RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), Portland, as the Royal Navy Anti-Submarine Warfare School acquiring Westland Whirlwind HAR.3, a British licence-built version of the United States Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw, from the remains of 815 Naval Air Squadron which disbanded. It then took on Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 roughly 1 month later.[6] A couple of Westland Whirlwind HAS.22 were added to strength in February 1960, whilst an anti-submarine variant these being used for search and rescue duties until July 1961, when they were transferred to a reformed 771 Naval Air Squadron.[3]

XM836, Westland Wessex HAS.3, 737 Naval Air Squadron

From July 1962 the squadron converted to Westland Wessex, a development of the Sikorsky H-34 produced under licence by Westland, initially the HAS.1 variant, a utility and anti-submarine warfare helicopter, and then in October 1967 it took on deliveries of Westland Wessex HAS.3, an improved anti-submarine version. 737 Naval Air Squadron took over from 829 Naval Air Squadron in June 1970, the responsibility for the Wessex Flights aboard the remaining County-class destroyers[6] During the 'Cod Wars' of 1973 and 1975-76 several of these Flights were deployed aboard Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.[3]

July 1970 saw the squadron take the Westland Sea King, a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter, built by Westland Helicopters, receiving HAS.1, the first anti-submarine version for the Royal Navy. In May 1972, 737 Naval Air Squadron took over Anti-Submarine Warfare Operational and Advanced Flying Training, with the squadron regularly detached to the helicopter support ship RFA Engadine, for seaborne training. The Westland Sea King helicopters were later passed over to 826 Naval Air Squadron, in June 1975.[6]

Westland Wessex HAS.3 of 737 Naval Air Squadron. Seen here being lifted from the ocean by the salvage vessel RFA Kinbrace following its crash on 15 July 1974 while on approach to RNAS Portland

737 Naval Air Squadron then concentrated on Westland Wessex HAS.3 operational training duties, as well as conversion and refresher training. It was planned to have disbanded during the summer of 1982, however, its helicopters were required for use in the two County-class destroyers serving with the Falklands Task Force and the squadron continued in existence, adding Westland Sea King HAS.2 on loan from 706 and 814 Naval Air Squadrons. On the 7 February 1983, 737 Naval Air Squadron disbanded at RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey) and handed its Westland Wessex HAS.3 to 772 Naval Air Squadron, with the training task being transferred to the 810 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk).[3]

Helicopter-only squadron

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From 28 August 1959 the squadron only used helicopters.[citation needed]

737 NAS was assigned to operate from Helicopter Support Ship RFA Engadine and later, from the flight decks of the eight County Class guided missile destroyers, including HMS Glamorgan (D19), HMS Antrim (D18) and HMS Norfolk (D21). 737 Squadron supported flights on these destroyers in addition to providing aircrew training at RNAS Portland.[citation needed]

In their ship-borne, anti-submarine role, the HAS.3s could carry two Mark 44 torpedoes or Mark 46 torpedoes (with parachutes) or four Mk.11 Depth Charges in addition to their Plessey dipping Sonar. They could also be fitted with a door-mounted Machine gun and act as a self-contained unit, handling all operations of Anti-submarine warfare(ASW).[citation needed]

Throughout the late 1970s most of the Wessex HAS.3 helicopters at RNAS Portland were being replaced by Westland Sea Kings, which could carry more torpedoes or depth charges and had the security of twin engines, with greatly extended endurance.[citation needed]

Falklands War

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XP142 Humphrey, Westland Wessex HAS.3 from HMS Antrim

HMS Antrim (D18) was the Flagship of Operation Paraquet, the recovery of South Georgia in April 1982. Her helicopter, Westland Wessex HAS.3 XP142, nicknamed Humphrey, was responsible for the rescue of 16 SAS men from Fortuna Glacier and the subsequent detection and disabling of the Argentine submarine Santa Fe. Another HAS.3, XM837, was lost in June 1982 when an Exocet missile hit the hangar on the destroyer HMS Glamorgan (D19). A few HAS.3s remained in service after the Falklands War period. One of these, XP142, was seriously damaged near San Carlos Water and was replaced on HMS Antrim by XM328 in November 1982. XM328 then sailed with HMS Antrim on her second deployment to the South Atlantic.[citation needed]

Decommissioning

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Aircraft operated

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The squadron operated a variety of different aircraft and versions:[1][14]

Fairey Firefly AS.Mk 5
Westland Sea King HAS.2

737X Flight

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  • Avro Anson Mk.I multi-role training aircraft (April 1950 - July 1951)
  • Fairey Barracuda TR.III torpedo-reconnaissance aircraft (June - July 1951)
  • Fairey Firefly Mk 5 fighter and anti-submarine aircraft (April 1950 - January 1951)
  • Fairey Firefly AS.Mk 6 anti-submarine aircraft (January - July 1951)

Battle honours

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The battle honours awarded to 737 Naval Air Squadron are:

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737 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom, a Royal Navy aircraft carrier and landing ship, and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary helicopter support ship:[5][4]

1943

1944 - 1945

1949 - 1957

1959 - 1983

737X Flight

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Ships’ Flights

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737 Naval Air Squadron operated a number of ships’ flights for a number of County-class destroyers between 1970 and 1982:[5]

County-class destroyer HMS Glamorgan

Commanding Officers

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List of Commanding Officers of 737 Naval Air Squadron:[4][5]

1943

  • Lieutenant(A) J.R. Dimsdale, RNVR, from 22 February 1943
  • disbanded - 28 September 1943

1944 - 1945

  • Lieutenant Commander(A) L.P. Dunne, RNVR, from 15 March 1944
  • Lieutenant Commander(A) G.J. Staveley, RNVR, from 9 November 1944
  • Lieutenant Commander F.V. Jones, DSC, RNVR, from 5 March 1945
  • disbanded - 12 November 1945

1949 - 1957

  • Lieutenant J.L. Appleby, RN, from 30 March 1949
  • Lieutenant Commander W.C. Simpson, DSC, RN, from 10 May 1949
  • Lieutenant Commander A. Turnbull, RN, from 15 December 1949
  • Lieutenant Commander L.G. Morris, RN, from 14 June 1950
  • Lieutenant Commander J.L.W. Thompson, RN, from 31 January 1952
  • Lieutenant Commander J.D. Honywill, RN, from 29 July 1953
  • Lieutenant Commander D.W. Pennick, RN, from 6 January 1955
  • Lieutenant Commander R.D.R. Hawkesworth, DSC, RN, from 3 March 1956
  • disbanded - 22 November 1957

1959 - 1983

  • Lieutenant Commander H.M.A. Hayes, RN, from 28 August 1959
  • Lieutenant Commander G.F. Stride, RN, from 15 February 1960
  • Lieutenant Commander P.E. Bailey, RN, from 8 August 1961
  • Lieutenant Commander R. Leonard, MBE, DFC, AFC, RN, 11 April 1963
  • Lieutenant Commander T.M.B. Seymour, RN, from 30 November 1964
  • Lieutenant Commander M.G.W. White, RN, 4 October 1965
  • Lieutenant Commander A.G. Claridge, RN, from 28 July 1967
  • Lieutenant Commander M.J. Holmes, RN, from 11 December 1968
  • Lieutenant Commander K.F. Harding, RN, from 15 December 1970
  • Lieutenant Commander J.M. Neville-Rolfe, RN, from 9 August 1972
  • Lieutenant Commander G.P. Stock, RN, from 18 April 1975
  • Lieutenant Commander M. Fitzgerald, RN, from 19 December 1975
  • Lieutenant Commander A.N. Law, RN, from 5 December 1977
  • Lieutenant Commander C.R. Green, RN, from 4 June 1979
  • Lieutenant Commander A.B. Gough, RN, from 11 September 1980
  • Lieutenant Commander M.S. Tennant, RN, from 18 December 1981
  • disbanded - 7 February 1983

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 60.
  2. ^ "Commander 'Tubby' Leonard". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 42.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Wragg 2019, p. 121.
  5. ^ a b c d e Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 43.
  6. ^ a b c d "737 Naval Air Squadron". www.helis.com. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  7. ^ "737 NAS - retrieved 5 June 2012". Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  8. ^ "Arbroath". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  9. ^ a b "737 Naval Air Squadron". www.wings-aviation.ch. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  10. ^ "North Front". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  11. ^ "X Flight, 737 Squadron". National Archives. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  12. ^ "744 Naval Air Squadron". www.helis.com. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Restoration of Westland Wessex HAS.3, XM328". helimuseum.com. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  14. ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 44.

Bibliography

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