805 Squadron RAN
Encyclopedia
805 Squadron was a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm
squadron, which previously operated as 805 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm
.
First formed in 1940 and operating for the duration of World War II in both the Mediterranean and Pacific theatres, 805 Squadron was recreated as a unit of the Royal Australian Navy
(RAN) in 1948, and operated from Australian aircraft carriers until 1982. 805 Squadron was re-established in 2001 to operate the Kaman Super Seasprite
as a replacement for helicopters currently in service, but problems with the helicopters saw the project cancelled and the squadron disbanded in 2008.
Fleet Air Arm
squadron in November 1940 at the RAF aerodrome at Abukir in Egypt. The Squadron operated Fairey Fulmar
s in a convoy protection role. The Squadron operated in the Western Desert until January 1941, when it transferred to Crete. The Squadron returned to Egypt and re-equipped with Brewster Buffalo
fighters and in June 1941 these were replaced by the Grumman Martlett III. The Squadron disbanded in January 1943.
The Squadron recommissioned in the UK for service in the Pacific Campaign
, equipped with Supermarine Seafire
s, but saw no further service prior to the end of the war.
FAA squadron operating Hawker Sea Fury Mk II
aircraft. The Squadron formed part of the 20th Carrier Air Group embarked on . During September 1951, 805 Squadron deployed to Korea
, flying sorties for 64 days. Three 805 Squadron pilots were killed during the campaign. The battle honour
"Korea 1951-52" was awarded to the squadron for this deployment. Following the retirement of the Sea Fury aircraft, the unit was disbanded on 26 March 1958.
805 Squadron reformed at Nowra on 31 March 1958, equipped with de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53 all weather night fighters. 805 Squadron embarked on , as part of the 21st Carrier Air Group. The Squadron was again disbanded on 30 June 1963 and the aircraft transferred to B Flight, 816 Squadron
.
On 10 January 1968, 805 Squadron reformed, equipped with the McDonnell Douglas A4G Skyhawk
fighter. The VF-805 designation was used to conform with USN Squadron name system during the Skyhawk era. V=Fixed Wing, F=Fighter to denote the Fleet Defence role of the aircraft. The squadron operation fromMelbourne until 1982.
On 28 February 2001, 805 Squadron reactivated, equipped with Kaman SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite
helicopters. The Squadron completed First of Class Flight Trials aboard HMAS Parramatta
, but did not reach operational status due to difficulties with integrating the helicopters' avionic systems. Following technical problems with the new helicopter, the squadron was relegated to minimal duties in 2005, grounded in 2006, and faced possible scrapping in early 2007. Efforts to rectify the technical problems were not successful and the project was cancelled in early 2008. As a result, 805 Squadron was disbanded on 26 June 2008.
Fleet Air Arm (RAN)
The Fleet Air Arm , known formally as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy...
squadron, which previously operated as 805 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
.
First formed in 1940 and operating for the duration of World War II in both the Mediterranean and Pacific theatres, 805 Squadron was recreated as a unit of the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN) in 1948, and operated from Australian aircraft carriers until 1982. 805 Squadron was re-established in 2001 to operate the Kaman Super Seasprite
SH-2 Seasprite
The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types,...
as a replacement for helicopters currently in service, but problems with the helicopters saw the project cancelled and the squadron disbanded in 2008.
Royal Navy
805 Squadron was first formed as a Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
squadron in November 1940 at the RAF aerodrome at Abukir in Egypt. The Squadron operated Fairey Fulmar
Fairey Fulmar
The Fairey Fulmar was a British carrier-borne fighter aircraft that served with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. A total of 600 were built by Fairey Aviation at its Stockport factory between January 1940 and December 1942...
s in a convoy protection role. The Squadron operated in the Western Desert until January 1941, when it transferred to Crete. The Squadron returned to Egypt and re-equipped with Brewster Buffalo
Brewster Buffalo
The Brewster F2A Buffalo was an American fighter aircraft which saw limited service early in World War II. Though the Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the US Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft, it turned out to be a big disappointment...
fighters and in June 1941 these were replaced by the Grumman Martlett III. The Squadron disbanded in January 1943.
The Squadron recommissioned in the UK for service in the Pacific Campaign
Pacific Campaign
Pacific Campaign may refer to:* Pacific Campaign , fighting between the United States and Spain during the Spanish-American War...
, equipped with Supermarine Seafire
Supermarine Seafire
The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:...
s, but saw no further service prior to the end of the war.
Royal Australian Navy
In August 1948, 805 Squadron was reformed as a Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
FAA squadron operating Hawker Sea Fury Mk II
Hawker Sea Fury
The Hawker Sea Fury was a British fighter aircraft developed for the Royal Navy by Hawker during the Second World War. The last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy, it was also one of the fastest production single piston-engined aircraft ever built.-Origins:The Hawker Fury was an...
aircraft. The Squadron formed part of the 20th Carrier Air Group embarked on . During September 1951, 805 Squadron deployed to Korea
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, flying sorties for 64 days. Three 805 Squadron pilots were killed during the campaign. The battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
"Korea 1951-52" was awarded to the squadron for this deployment. Following the retirement of the Sea Fury aircraft, the unit was disbanded on 26 March 1958.
805 Squadron reformed at Nowra on 31 March 1958, equipped with de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53 all weather night fighters. 805 Squadron embarked on , as part of the 21st Carrier Air Group. The Squadron was again disbanded on 30 June 1963 and the aircraft transferred to B Flight, 816 Squadron
816 Squadron RAN
816 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron that started out as a Royal Navy unit 816 Naval Air Squadron.-Current roles:816 is currently active as a helicopter squadron equipped with S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters...
.
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
fighter. The VF-805 designation was used to conform with USN Squadron name system during the Skyhawk era. V=Fixed Wing, F=Fighter to denote the Fleet Defence role of the aircraft. The squadron operation fromMelbourne until 1982.
On 28 February 2001, 805 Squadron reactivated, equipped with Kaman SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite
SH-2 Seasprite
The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types,...
helicopters. The Squadron completed First of Class Flight Trials aboard HMAS Parramatta
HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154)
HMAS Parramatta is an Anzac class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy .-Design and construction:The Anzac class originated from RAN plans to replace the six River class destroyer escorts with a mid-capability patrol frigate...
, but did not reach operational status due to difficulties with integrating the helicopters' avionic systems. Following technical problems with the new helicopter, the squadron was relegated to minimal duties in 2005, grounded in 2006, and faced possible scrapping in early 2007. Efforts to rectify the technical problems were not successful and the project was cancelled in early 2008. As a result, 805 Squadron was disbanded on 26 June 2008.
RN service
- Fairey FulmarFairey FulmarThe Fairey Fulmar was a British carrier-borne fighter aircraft that served with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. A total of 600 were built by Fairey Aviation at its Stockport factory between January 1940 and December 1942...
- Brewster BuffaloBrewster BuffaloThe Brewster F2A Buffalo was an American fighter aircraft which saw limited service early in World War II. Though the Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the US Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft, it turned out to be a big disappointment...
- Grumman Martlett III
- Supermarine SeafireSupermarine SeafireThe Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:...
(Strike)
RAN service
- Hawker Sea Fury Mk IIHawker Sea FuryThe Hawker Sea Fury was a British fighter aircraft developed for the Royal Navy by Hawker during the Second World War. The last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy, it was also one of the fastest production single piston-engined aircraft ever built.-Origins:The Hawker Fury was an...
- de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53
- McDonnell Douglas A4G SkyhawkA-4 SkyhawkThe Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
- Kaman SH-2 SeaspriteSH-2 SeaspriteThe Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types,...