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{{Short description|Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=700 Naval Air Squadron
| unit_name = 700X Naval Air Squadron
| native_name =
|image=[[File:700 NAS Badge.jpg|125px]]
| image = File:700X_Naval_Air_Squadron_Crest.png
⚫
|caption=700 NAS badge
| image_size = 175
|dates=1940-1944 <br /> 1944-1949 <br /> 1955-1961 <br /> 1998-2008 <br/> 2009-2014 <br/> 2014-
| alt =
⚫
|country=[[United Kingdom]]
⚫
| caption = Squadron badge
|allegiance=
| dates = {{hlist|1940–1944|1944–1949|1955–1961|1998–2008|2009–2014|2014 – present}}
|branch=[[Royal Navy]]
| disbanded =
|type=
⚫
| country = {{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom
|role= Operational Evaluation Unit
| branch = {{navy|United Kingdom}}
⚫
|size=
| type = Flying squadron
⚫
|command_structure=[[Fleet Air Arm]]
| role = Test and evaluation of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|Remotely Piloted Air Systems]]
|current_commander=
⚫
| size =
⚫
|garrison=[[RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)|RNAS Yeovilton]]
⚫
| command_structure = [[Fleet Air Arm]]
|ceremonial_chief=
⚫
| garrison = [[RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)|RNAS Culdrose]]
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
| garrison_label = Home station
|nickname=
| nickname =
|patron=
| patron =
|motto=''Experientia docet'' <br>([[Latin]]: "Experience teaches")
| motto = {{Language with name/for|la|Experientia docet|Experiences teaches|break=yes}}
|colors=
| colors = <!-- or | colours = -->
|march=
| colors_label = <!-- or | colours_label = -->
⚫
|mascot=
|battles=
| march =
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| mascot =
⚫
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
| anniversaries =
| equipment = *[[AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma|RQ-20 Puma]]
*[[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle|Scan Eagle]]
*[[AeroVironment Wasp III|Wasp III]]
| equipment_label = Aircraft
| battles =
| battles_label =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| flying_hours =
| website = {{Official website|https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/support-and-training/700x-naval-air-squadron}}
<!-- Commanders -->
| current_commander = [[Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)|Lieutenant Commander]] M Pennant<ref name="AFMOCT22-86">{{cite book|title=[[AirForces Monthly]]|date=October 2022|publisher=[[Key Publishing|Key Publishing Ltd]]|location=[[Stamford, Lincolnshire|Stamford]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[England]]|pages=86}}</ref>
⚫
| notable_commanders =
<!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label =
}}
}}
'''700 Naval Air Squadron''' (700 NAS) is a squadron of aircraft in the [[Royal Navy]]’s [[Fleet Air Arm]].
'''700 Naval Air Squadron''' (700 NAS) is an experimental test squadron in the [[Royal Navy]]’s [[Fleet Air Arm]].


==History==
==History==
700 NAS was originally formed in January 1940 at [[RNAS Hatston]] (HMS ''Sparrowhawk'') in [[Orkney]] in a plan to centralise the operations of the 700 series "Catapult" [[flight]]s attached to catapult units and to act as a pool and Headquarters for all catapult aircraft embarked on [[battleship]]s and [[cruiser]]s - chiefly the [[Supermarine Walrus]] flying boat and [[Fairey Seafox]] [[floatplane]].
700 NAS was originally formed on 21 January 1940 at [[RNAS Hatston]] (HMS ''Sparrowhawk'') in [[Orkney]] in a plan to centralise the operations of the 700 series "Catapult" [[flight]]s attached to catapult units and to act as a pool and Headquarters for all catapult aircraft embarked on [[battleship]]s and [[cruiser]]s - chiefly the [[Supermarine Walrus]] flying boat, together with the [[Fairey Seafox]] and [[Fairey Swordfish]] [[floatplane]]s. Initial equipment comprised 42 Walruses together with 11 Seafoxes and 12 Swordfishes.<ref name="sturt p15">{{Harvnb|Sturtivant|Ballance|1994|p=15}}</ref>


On 21 June 1940, a [[Supermarine Walrus|Walrus]] (''P5666'') of 700 Squadron on the [[cruiser]] {{HMS|Manchester|C15|6}} found the German [[battleship]] [[German battleship Scharnhorst|''Scharnhorst'']] but ''Manchester'' did not engage.
On 21 June 1940, a Walrus (''P5666'') of 700 Squadron on the [[cruiser]] {{HMS|Manchester|C15|6}} found the German [[battleship]] [[German battleship Scharnhorst|''Scharnhorst'']] but ''Manchester'' did not engage.

25 September 1940, Walrus ''L2247'', embarked on the cruiser [[HMAS Australia (D84)|HMAS ''Australia'']], was shot down by [[Vichy France|Vichy French]] fighters during the [[Battle of Dakar]] and crashed into the sea killing all three crew.<ref>Reports of proceedings HMAS Australia, Sept 1940, Australian War Memorial</ref>


Trailing German capital ships in the lead up to the [[Battle of the Denmark Strait]], Walrus ''L2184'' of 700 NAS from {{HMS|Norfolk|78|6}} was damaged by shellfire from ''[[German cruiser Prinz Eugen|Prinz Eugen]]'' in the [[Denmark Strait]] on 23 May 1941 while still on its catapult.
Trailing German capital ships in the lead up to the [[Battle of the Denmark Strait]], Walrus ''L2184'' of 700 NAS from {{HMS|Norfolk|78|6}} was damaged by shellfire from ''[[German cruiser Prinz Eugen|Prinz Eugen]]'' in the [[Denmark Strait]] on 23 May 1941 while still on its catapult.


The final successful attack on an enemy [[submarine]] by a Walrus was on 11 July 1942, when Walrus ''W2709'' of 700 (Levant) NAS sank the [[Italian submarine Ondina|Italian submarine ''Ondina'']], along with the South African surface vessels ''Protea'' and trawler ''Southern Maid'', east of [[Cyprus]].
The final successful attack on an enemy [[submarine]] by a Walrus was on 11 July 1942, when Walrus ''W2709'' of 700 (Levant) NAS sank the [[Italian submarine Ondina|Italian submarine ''Ondina'']] near Cypris in conjunction with the South African navy surface vessels HMSAS ''Protea'' and [[Southern-class whaler|HMSAS ''Southern Maid'']], east of [[Cyprus]].


There were at least 5 confirmed enemy submarines sunk or damaged by Walruses during the [[Second World War]], including the [[Vichy French]] submarine [[Poncelet (submarine)|''Poncelet'']] which was bombed by Walrus ''L2268'' of 700 NAS from {{HMS|Devonshire|39|6}} and attacked by {{HMS|Milford|L51|6}} on 7 November 1940 off the [[Cameroons]]. The submarine was damaged and forced to surrender, and later scuttled off the [[Gulf of Guinea]]. The crew of Petty Officer P H Parsons, Sub Lt A D Corkhill and N A Evans were all awarded gallantry medals.
There were at least 5 confirmed enemy submarines sunk or damaged by Walruses during the [[Second World War]], including the [[Vichy French]] submarine [[Poncelet (submarine)|''Poncelet'']] which was bombed by Walrus ''L2268'' of 700 NAS from {{HMS|Devonshire|39|6}} and attacked by {{HMS|Milford|L51|6}} on 7 November 1940 off the [[Cameroons]]. The submarine was damaged and forced to surrender, and later scuttled off the [[Gulf of Guinea]]. The crew of Petty Officer P H Parsons, Sub Lt A D Corkhill and N A Evans were all awarded gallantry medals.
Line 40: Line 61:
700 NAS was disbanded in March 1944, pilots transferring into [[771 Naval Air Squadron]], but it was reformed as a Test Pilot School in October 1944.
700 NAS was disbanded in March 1944, pilots transferring into [[771 Naval Air Squadron]], but it was reformed as a Test Pilot School in October 1944.


700 NAS re-emerged in August 1955 as a Fleet Requirements unit and from 1957 was based out of [[RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus)|RNAS Lee-on-Solent]] to introduce the [[Westland Whirlwind]] HAS.7.
700 NAS re-emerged in August 1955 as a Fleet Requirements unit and from 1957 was based out of [[RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus)|RNAS Lee-on-Solent]] to introduce the [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Westland Whirlwind]] HAS.7.


==Intensive Flying Trials Units (IFTU)==
==Intensive Flying Trials Units (IFTU)==
;700H NAS:1955-57, [[RNAS Lee-on-Solent]], [[Westland Whirlwind HAS.7]]
;700H NAS:1955-57, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Westland Whirlwind HAS.7
;700X NAS:1957-58, [[Supermarine Scimitar F.1]]
;700X NAS:1957-58, [[Supermarine Scimitar|Supermarine Scimitar F.1]]
;700Y NAS:1958-59, [[RNAS Yeovilton]], [[de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1]]
;700Y NAS:1958-59, [[RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)|RNAS Yeovilton]], [[De Havilland Sea Vixen|de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1]]
;700X NAS:1959-61, [[RNAS Yeovilton]], [[Saro P.531]]
;700X NAS:1959-61, RNAS Yeovilton, [[Saro P.531]]
;700H NAS:1960-61, {{HMS|Vengeance|R71|6}}, [[Fairey Gannet]] and [[Hawker Sea Hawk]] deck and launch trials
;700H NAS:1960-61, {{HMS|Vengeance|R71|6}}, [[Fairey Gannet]] and [[Hawker Sea Hawk]] deck and launch trials
;700H NAS:1960-?, [[Westland Wessex HAS.1]]
;700H NAS:1960-?, [[Westland Wessex]] HAS.1
;700Z NAS:1961-63, [[RNAS Lossiemouth]], [[Blackburn Buccaneer S.1]]
;700Z NAS:1961-63, [[RAF Lossiemouth|RNAS Lossiemouth]], [[Blackburn Buccaneer S.1]]
;700V NAS:1963-64, [[Westland Wessex HU.5]]
;700V NAS:1963-64, [[Westland Wessex HU.5]]
;700W NAS:1963-64, [[Westland Wasp HAS.1]]
;700W NAS:1963-64, [[Westland Wasp|Westland Wasp HAS.1]]
;700B NAS:1965-?, [[RNAS Lossiemouth]], [[Blackburn Buccaneer S.2]]
;700B NAS:1965-?, RNAS Lossiemouth, [[Blackburn Buccaneer|Blackburn Buccaneer S.2]]
;700H NAS:1967-?, [[Westland Wessex HAS.3]]
;700H NAS:1967-?, Westland Wessex HAS.3
;700P NAS:1968-69, [[McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom II FG.1]]
;700P NAS:1968-69, [[McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service|McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom II FG.1]]
;700S NAS:1969-70, [[Westland Sea King HAS.1]]
;700S NAS:1969-70, [[Westland Sea King|Westland Sea King HAS.1]]
;700L NAS:1976-77, [[RNAS Yeovilton]], [[Westland Lynx HAS.2]]
;700L NAS:1976-77, RNAS Yeovilton, [[Westland Lynx|Westland Lynx HAS.2]]
;700A NAS:1979-80, [[RNAS Yeovilton]], [[BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1]]
;700A NAS:1979-80, RNAS Yeovilton, [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1]]
;700L NAS:1990-92, [[RNAS Yeovilton]], [[Westland Lynx HAS.2]], (Lynx CTS Trials)
;700L NAS:1990-92, RNAS Yeovilton, Westland Lynx HAS.2, (Lynx CTS Trials)
;700M NAS:1998-2008, [[RNAS Culdrose]], [[Agusta Westland Merlin HM.1]]
;700M NAS:1998-2008, [[RNAS Culdrose]], [[AgustaWestland AW101|AgustaWestland Merlin HM.1]]
;700W NAS:2009-2014, [[RNAS Yeovilton]], [[Agusta Westland Wildcat HMA.2]]
;700W NAS:2009-2014, RNAS Yeovilton, [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2]]
;700X NAS:2014-, RNAS Culdrose, [[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle]], [[AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma]]<ref name="AFMJAN20-8">{{cite book|title=[[AirForces Monthly]]|date=January 2020|publisher=[[Key Publishing|Key Publishing Ltd]]|location=[[Stamford, Lincolnshire|Stamford]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[England]]|pages=8}}</ref> [[Meggitt Banshee|QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+]]<ref name="AFMOCT22-87">{{cite book|title=[[AirForces Monthly]]|date=October 2022|publisher=[[Key Publishing|Key Publishing Ltd]]|location=[[Stamford, Lincolnshire|Stamford]], [[Lincolnshire]], [[England]]|pages=87}}</ref>
;700X NAS:2014-, [[RNAS Culdrose]], [[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle]]


The Squadron carried on trials of [[de Havilland Sea Vixen]]s on {{HMS|Victorious|R38|6}} and {{HMS|Centaur|R06|6}} during 1958 and from October 1959 formed at [[RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)|Yeovilton]] with the [[Saunders Roe P.531]] to investigate what would be needed to introduce a whole new form of helicopter operation to the Fleet – which lead to the [[Westland Wasp]].
The Squadron carried on trials of de Havilland Sea Vixens on {{HMS|Victorious|R38|6}} and {{HMS|Centaur|R06|6}} during 1958 and from October 1959 formed at Yeovilton with the [[Saro P.531|Saunders Roe P.531]] to investigate what would be needed to introduce a whole new form of helicopter operation to the Fleet – which led to the Westland Wasp.


In October 1960 flight tests of landing and take-offs from {{HMS|Vengeance|R71|6}} with 27 launchings of the [[turboprop]] [[Fairey Gannet]] and 34 with the [[Hawker Sea Hawk]].
In October 1960 flight tests of landing and take-offs from {{HMS|Vengeance|R71|6}} with 27 launchings of the [[turboprop]] Fairey Gannet and 34 with the Hawker Sea Hawk.


[[Image:Buccaneer 700Z Lossiemouth NAN3 62.jpg|thumb|A 700Z Sqn Buccaneer S.1 at RNAS Lossiemouth in 1961.]]
[[File:Buccaneer 700Z Lossiemouth NAN3 62.jpg|thumb|A 700Z Sqn Buccaneer S.1 at RNAS Lossiemouth in 1961.]]


700 NAS disbanded again at [[RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)|RNAS Yeovilton]] in July 1961. However, a number of Intensive Flying Trials Units were subsequently formed under the "700 NAS" title, to prepare for new aircraft types coming into service. These operated as independent units, each being identified by a suffix letter after the squadron number (e.g. "700B").
700 NAS disbanded again at RNAS Yeovilton in July 1961. However, a number of Intensive Flying Trials Units were subsequently formed under the "700 NAS" title, to prepare for new aircraft types coming into service. These operated as independent units, each being identified by a suffix letter after the squadron number (e.g. "700B").


Several of these IFTUs were formed for the introduction of the [[Westland Wessex]], [[Blackburn Buccaneer]], [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]], [[Westland Sea King]], [[Westland Lynx]] and [[BAe Sea Harrier]] into the Fleet Air Arm.
Several of these IFTUs were formed for the introduction of the Westland Wessex, Blackburn Buccaneer, [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]], Westland Sea King, Westland Lynx and BAe Sea Harrier into the Fleet Air Arm.


More recently, the squadron was re-commissioned at [[RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)|RNAS Culdrose]] in December 1998 as 700M Squadron, with a primary role of testing and evaluating the [[AgustaWestland AW101|AgustaWestland Merlin HM.1]] helicopter. 700M disbanded on 31 March 2008, transferring its aircraft and personnel to [[824 Naval Air Squadron]] and also forming a new flight, 824 OEU. The squadron reformed again as 700W NAS in May 2009 at Yeovilton as the [[Lynx Wildcat]] Fielding Squadron. 700W expects to receive up to five Wildcats from January 2013 for operational evaluation and conversion training.<ref>[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/establishments/naval-bases-and-air-stations/rnas-yeovilton/news/the-fleet-air-arms-newest-squadron-700w-lynx-wildcat-commissions-at-rnas-yeovilton/*/changeNav/6568 The Fleet Air Arm's Newest Squadron 700W Lynx Wildcat Commissions At RNAS Yeovilton]</ref> The squadron was disbanded in July 2014 when it was merged with 702 NAS to form 825 Naval Air Squadron, the first operational Wildcat unit.<ref>http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/july/31/140731-700w</ref> It was subsequently reformed as 700X NAS to undertake [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|RPAS]] trials, and to act as a parent unit for the various ship-based flights operating the [[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle|Insitu Scan Eagle]] UAV.<ref name="UAV">{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/november/25/141125-700x-scan-eagle|title=X-men take to the Cornish skies|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 November 2014 |website=Royal Navy |publisher= |accessdate=25 November 2014}}</ref>
More recently, the squadron was re-commissioned at RNAS Culdrose in December 1998 as 700M Squadron, with a primary role of testing and evaluating the [[AgustaWestland AW101|AgustaWestland Merlin HM.1]] helicopter. 700M disbanded on 31 March 2008, transferring its aircraft and personnel to [[824 Naval Air Squadron]] and also forming a new flight, 824 OEU. The squadron reformed again as 700W NAS in May 2009 at Yeovilton as the [[AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat|Lynx Wildcat]] Fielding Squadron. 700W expects to receive up to five Wildcats from January 2013 for operational evaluation and conversion training.<ref>[http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/establishments/naval-bases-and-air-stations/rnas-yeovilton/news/the-fleet-air-arms-newest-squadron-700w-lynx-wildcat-commissions-at-rnas-yeovilton/*/changeNav/6568 The Fleet Air Arm's Newest Squadron 700W Lynx Wildcat Commissions At RNAS Yeovilton]</ref> The squadron was disbanded in July 2014 when it was merged with 702 NAS to form 825 Naval Air Squadron, the first operational Wildcat unit.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/july/31/140731-700w| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140802185402/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/july/31/140731-700w| archive-date = 2014-08-02| title = 700 (W) Naval Air Squadron bows out on a high {{!}} Royal Navy}} </ref>

==Present day==
The Squadron currently operates as '''700X NAS''' and undertakes [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|RPAS]] trials, and also acts as a parent unit for the various ship-based flights operating the Insitu Scan Eagle UAV.<ref name="UAV">{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/november/25/141125-700x-scan-eagle|title=X-men take to the Cornish skies|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=25 November 2014|website=Royal Navy|access-date=25 November 2014|archive-date=28 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128050626/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/november/25/141125-700x-scan-eagle|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2019, 700 NAS tested two new UAS, namely, the [[AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma]] and the [[AeroVironment Wasp III]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=700X begins test of remote piloted aircraft |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/november/05/191105-700x-test-remote-aircraft |work=Royal Navy |date=5 November 2019 |access-date=1 January 2020 }}</ref> As of 2021, 12 Puma systems were deployed with the squadron permitting individual teams to be embarked on Royal Navy vessels as might be required.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2023/august/04/230804-trent-in-africa | title=Royal Navy warship assists West African nations with maritime security |work=Royal Navy |date=4 August 2023 |access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/11/royal-navy-expands-its-fleet-of-puma-remotely-piloted-drones/ | title=Royal Navy Expands Its Fleet Of Puma Remotely-Piloted Drones |work=Naval News |date=17 November 2021 |access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref>


==Aircraft operated==
==Aircraft operated==
Line 86: Line 110:
*[[Westland Wasp]] (introduction to service)
*[[Westland Wasp]] (introduction to service)
*[[Westland Sea King]] (introduction to service)
*[[Westland Sea King]] (introduction to service)
*[[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle|Boeing Insitu Scaneagle]] (introduction to service)


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

*{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant |first1=R |last2=Ballance |first2=T |title=The Squadrons of The Fleet Air Arm |year=1994 |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |isbn=0-85130-223-8 }}


==External links==
==External links==
⚫
* [http://www.helis.com/database/go/uk_700_naval_air_squadron.php Helicopter History of 700 Squadron]
* [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/support-and-training/700x-naval-air-squadron 700X Naval Air Squadron at Royal Navy.mod.uk]
* [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/fleet-air-arm/support-and-training/700x-naval-air-squadron 700X Naval Air Squadron at Royal Navy.mod.uk]
⚫
* [http://www.helis.com/database/go/uk_700_naval_air_squadron.php Helicopter History of 700 Squadron]


{{Royal Naval Air Squadrons}}
{{Royal Naval Air Squadrons}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


[[Category:700 series Fleet Air Arm squadrons]]
[[Category:700 series Fleet Air Arm squadrons]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the Royal Navy in World War II]]
[[Category:Air squadrons of the Royal Navy in World War II]]
[[Category:Military of the United Kingdom in Cornwall]]
[[Category:Military of the United Kingdom in Cornwall]]

Latest revision as of 01:58, 8 April 2024

700X Naval Air Squadron
Squadron badge
Active
  • 1940–1944
  • 1944–1949
  • 1955–1961
  • 1998–2008
  • 2009–2014
  • 2014 – present
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeFlying squadron
RoleTest and evaluation of Remotely Piloted Air Systems
Part ofFleet Air Arm
Home stationRNAS Culdrose
Motto(s)Experientia docet
(Latin for 'Experiences teaches')
Aircraft
WebsiteOfficial website
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant Commander M Pennant[1]

700 Naval Air Squadron (700 NAS) is an experimental test squadron in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.

History[edit]

700 NAS was originally formed on 21 January 1940 at RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk) in Orkney in a plan to centralise the operations of the 700 series "Catapult" flights attached to catapult units and to act as a pool and Headquarters for all catapult aircraft embarked on battleships and cruisers - chiefly the Supermarine Walrus flying boat, together with the Fairey Seafox and Fairey Swordfish floatplanes. Initial equipment comprised 42 Walruses together with 11 Seafoxes and 12 Swordfishes.[2]

On 21 June 1940, a Walrus (P5666) of 700 Squadron on the cruiser HMS Manchester found the German battleship Scharnhorst but Manchester did not engage.

25 September 1940, Walrus L2247, embarked on the cruiser HMAS Australia, was shot down by Vichy French fighters during the Battle of Dakar and crashed into the sea killing all three crew.[3]

Trailing German capital ships in the lead up to the Battle of the Denmark Strait, Walrus L2184 of 700 NAS from HMS Norfolk was damaged by shellfire from Prinz Eugen in the Denmark Strait on 23 May 1941 while still on its catapult.

The final successful attack on an enemy submarine by a Walrus was on 11 July 1942, when Walrus W2709 of 700 (Levant) NAS sank the Italian submarine Ondina near Cypris in conjunction with the South African navy surface vessels HMSAS Protea and HMSAS Southern Maid, east of Cyprus.

There were at least 5 confirmed enemy submarines sunk or damaged by Walruses during the Second World War, including the Vichy French submarine Poncelet which was bombed by Walrus L2268 of 700 NAS from HMS Devonshire and attacked by HMS Milford on 7 November 1940 off the Cameroons. The submarine was damaged and forced to surrender, and later scuttled off the Gulf of Guinea. The crew of Petty Officer P H Parsons, Sub Lt A D Corkhill and N A Evans were all awarded gallantry medals.

700 NAS was disbanded in March 1944, pilots transferring into 771 Naval Air Squadron, but it was reformed as a Test Pilot School in October 1944.

700 NAS re-emerged in August 1955 as a Fleet Requirements unit and from 1957 was based out of RNAS Lee-on-Solent to introduce the Westland Whirlwind HAS.7.

Intensive Flying Trials Units (IFTU)[edit]

700H NAS
1955-57, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Westland Whirlwind HAS.7
700X NAS
1957-58, Supermarine Scimitar F.1
700Y NAS
1958-59, RNAS Yeovilton, de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1
700X NAS
1959-61, RNAS Yeovilton, Saro P.531
700H NAS
1960-61, HMS Vengeance, Fairey Gannet and Hawker Sea Hawk deck and launch trials
700H NAS
1960-?, Westland Wessex HAS.1
700Z NAS
1961-63, RNAS Lossiemouth, Blackburn Buccaneer S.1
700V NAS
1963-64, Westland Wessex HU.5
700W NAS
1963-64, Westland Wasp HAS.1
700B NAS
1965-?, RNAS Lossiemouth, Blackburn Buccaneer S.2
700H NAS
1967-?, Westland Wessex HAS.3
700P NAS
1968-69, McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom II FG.1
700S NAS
1969-70, Westland Sea King HAS.1
700L NAS
1976-77, RNAS Yeovilton, Westland Lynx HAS.2
700A NAS
1979-80, RNAS Yeovilton, BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1
700L NAS
1990-92, RNAS Yeovilton, Westland Lynx HAS.2, (Lynx CTS Trials)
700M NAS
1998-2008, RNAS Culdrose, AgustaWestland Merlin HM.1
700W NAS
2009-2014, RNAS Yeovilton, AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2
700X NAS
2014-, RNAS Culdrose, Boeing Insitu ScanEagle, AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma[4] QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+[5]

The Squadron carried on trials of de Havilland Sea Vixens on HMS Victorious and HMS Centaur during 1958 and from October 1959 formed at Yeovilton with the Saunders Roe P.531 to investigate what would be needed to introduce a whole new form of helicopter operation to the Fleet – which led to the Westland Wasp.

In October 1960 flight tests of landing and take-offs from HMS Vengeance with 27 launchings of the turboprop Fairey Gannet and 34 with the Hawker Sea Hawk.

A 700Z Sqn Buccaneer S.1 at RNAS Lossiemouth in 1961.

700 NAS disbanded again at RNAS Yeovilton in July 1961. However, a number of Intensive Flying Trials Units were subsequently formed under the "700 NAS" title, to prepare for new aircraft types coming into service. These operated as independent units, each being identified by a suffix letter after the squadron number (e.g. "700B").

Several of these IFTUs were formed for the introduction of the Westland Wessex, Blackburn Buccaneer, McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Westland Sea King, Westland Lynx and BAe Sea Harrier into the Fleet Air Arm.

More recently, the squadron was re-commissioned at RNAS Culdrose in December 1998 as 700M Squadron, with a primary role of testing and evaluating the AgustaWestland Merlin HM.1 helicopter. 700M disbanded on 31 March 2008, transferring its aircraft and personnel to 824 Naval Air Squadron and also forming a new flight, 824 OEU. The squadron reformed again as 700W NAS in May 2009 at Yeovilton as the Lynx Wildcat Fielding Squadron. 700W expects to receive up to five Wildcats from January 2013 for operational evaluation and conversion training.[6] The squadron was disbanded in July 2014 when it was merged with 702 NAS to form 825 Naval Air Squadron, the first operational Wildcat unit.[7]

Present day[edit]

The Squadron currently operates as 700X NAS and undertakes RPAS trials, and also acts as a parent unit for the various ship-based flights operating the Insitu Scan Eagle UAV.[8] In November 2019, 700 NAS tested two new UAS, namely, the AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma and the AeroVironment Wasp III.[9] As of 2021, 12 Puma systems were deployed with the squadron permitting individual teams to be embarked on Royal Navy vessels as might be required.[10][11]

Aircraft operated[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. October 2022. p. 86.
  2. ^ Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 15
  3. ^ Reports of proceedings HMAS Australia, Sept 1940, Australian War Memorial
  4. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. January 2020. p. 8.
  5. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. October 2022. p. 87.
  6. ^ The Fleet Air Arm's Newest Squadron 700W Lynx Wildcat Commissions At RNAS Yeovilton
  7. ^ "700 (W) Naval Air Squadron bows out on a high | Royal Navy". Archived from the original on 2 August 2014.
  8. ^ "X-men take to the Cornish skies". Royal Navy. 25 November 2014. Archived from the original on 28 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  9. ^ "700X begins test of remote piloted aircraft". Royal Navy. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Royal Navy warship assists West African nations with maritime security". Royal Navy. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Royal Navy Expands Its Fleet Of Puma Remotely-Piloted Drones". Naval News. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  • Sturtivant, R; Ballance, T (1994). The Squadrons of The Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-223-8.

External links[edit]


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