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Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
884 Naval Air Squadron (884 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm,[2] which last disbanded in July 1943. It formed at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, in November 1941. The squadron assisted RAF Fighter Command, providing fighter cover and also participated other operations including the attempt to relieve the Siege of Malta and also the Allied invasion of French North Africa.
884 Naval Air Squadron | |
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![]() 884 NAS badge | |
Active | 1 November 1941 - 20 July 1943 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Single-seat fighter squadron |
Role | Fleet fighter squadron |
Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
Home station | See Naval air stations section for full list. |
Engagements | World War II |
Battle honours |
|
Insignia | |
Squadron badge | Blue, issuant from water in base barry wavy of six white and blue a cubit arm in bend armed proper winged gold grasping a battleaxe blade uppermost proper ( 1942)[1] |
Identification Markings | uncoded (Fulmar) uncoded (Spitfire) 8A+ (Seafire) |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | Fairey Fulmar Supermarine Seafire Supermarine Spitfire |
884 Naval Air Squadron formed at RNAS Donibristle (HMS Merlin), Fife, on 1 November 1941 as a Fleet Fighter squadron. It was initially equipped with six Fairey Fulmar Mk.II, a carrier-based reconnaissance and fighter aircraft.[3]
The squadron was intended to embark on Avenger-class escort carrier HMS Biter, but after working up it operated as part of No. 13 Group RAF in Fighter Command, from 22 March 1942. It was based at RAF Turnhouse, in Edinburgh, Scotland, but moved to RAF Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, before returning to RAF Turnhouse.[1]
The squadron returned to the Fleet Air Arm on 21 July at RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk), Mainland, Orkney, and then embarked in the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Victorious to help provide fighter cover for the Malta convoy Operation Pedestal.[3]
884 Naval Air Squadron returned to the United Kingdom but was back with the Royal Air Force at RAF Skeabrae, Mainland, Orkney. Its Fairey Fulmar were replaced by hooked Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft and it also converted to Supermarine Seafire, a navalised Spitfire, however, the squadron re-embarked to provide fighter cover during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa.[1]
It then returned to fighter defence with Nos. 13 and 14 Groups in Fighter Command, operating from various Royal Air Force stations around Scotland, before disbanding at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), on 20 July 1943.[3]
There was a proposed 22nd Carrier Air Group for the British Pacific Fleet in 1945 and it was intended to use a reformed 884 Naval Air Squadron with twenty-one Supermarine Seafire as part of its make-up, however, it wasn’t required following V-J Day.[1]
The squadron has operated a number of different aircraft types, including:[1]
The battle honours awarded to 884 Naval Air Squadron are:[4]
884 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force stations in the UK, and a Royal Navy fleet carrier:[1]
List of commanding officers of 884 Naval Air Squadron:[4]
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