759 Naval Air Squadron (759 NAS) was a unit of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA) that operated primarily as a pilot training squadron for carrier‑borne fighter aircraft. Formed during the Second World War, the squadron existed intermittently until its final disbandment in the early 1970s.
History
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World War II formation – 759 NAS was established as an Operational Training Unit (OTU) in 1941 to prepare pilots for frontline carrier fighter squadrons. The squadron initially operated from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton (HMS Heron) before moving to other training establishments such as RNAS St Merryn (HMS Vulture) and RNAS Hawkinge (HMS Daedalus).
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Roles and aircraft – The squadron’s primary role was the conversion of pilots onto naval versions of fighter types. During the war it employed aircraft that included the Hawker Sea Hurricane, Supermarine Seafire, Grumman Martlet (later designated Wildcat), and later the Fairey Fulmar. Training covered carrier landing techniques, deck‑handling procedures, and air‑combat tactics.
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First disbandment – With the reduction of wartime training requirements, 759 NAS was disbanded in April 1945.
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Post‑war re‑formation – The squadron was re‑formed in 1948 as a fighter training unit, this time based at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Rooke). It transitioned to newer aircraft, notably the Fairey Firefly and the Hawker Sea Fury. In the early 1950s the squadron also introduced jet training with the de Havilland Sea Venom.
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Later years and final disbandment – Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, 759 NAS continued to provide advanced fighter training, operating aircraft such as the Hawker Sea Hawk and the Supermarine Scimitar. The squadron was finally disbanded on 30 September 1972 as part of a wider re‑organisation of FAA training units.
Command structure
759 NAS fell under the command of the FAA’s Training Command, and, when active, was subordinate to the senior officer of the host naval air station.
Legacy
The squadron contributed significantly to the readiness of Royal Navy fighter pilots, especially in mastering carrier operations. Former members of 759 NAS later served in combat squadrons that participated in major naval engagements during and after the war.
References
- Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Historical Archive, Squadron Histories.
- "British Naval Aircraft 1914‑1918" and subsequent FAA publications detailing squadron lineages.