819 Naval Air Squadron
Encyclopedia
819 Naval Air Squadron was a Royal Navy
aircraft squadron before and during World War II
. Along with No. 815 Squadron
, it performed the successful night attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto
on 11 November 1940. The attack was performed with Swordfish
torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier Illustrious
.
More recently, 819 operated SAR Sea Kings
from HMS Gannet
at Prestwick Airport
Royal 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...
aircraft squadron before and during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Along with No. 815 Squadron
815 Naval Air Squadron
815 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, part of the Royal Navy. The squadron is currently based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, United Kingdom and it is the Navy's front line Lynx Naval Air Squadron. It currently comprises more than 30 Lynx helicopters of various types...
, it performed the successful night attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto
Battle of Taranto
The naval Battle of Taranto took place on the night of 11–12 November 1940 during the Second World War. The Royal Navy launched the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history, flying a small number of obsolescent biplane torpedo bombers from an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea...
on 11 November 1940. The attack was performed with Swordfish
Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish was a torpedo bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company and used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during the Second World War...
torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier Illustrious
HMS Illustrious (R87)
HMS Illustrious , the fourth Illustrious of the British Royal Navy, was an aircraft carrier which saw service in World War II, the lead ship of the Illustrious-class of carriers which also included Victorious, Formidable, and Indomitable.-Construction:Illustrious was built by Vickers-Armstrongs at...
.
More recently, 819 operated SAR Sea Kings
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
from HMS Gannet
HMS Gannet
Nine ships and two shore establishments of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Gannet, after the seabird the Gannet:-Ships: was a 16-gun brig-sloop purchased in 1800 and sold in 1814. was an 18-gun Cruizer-class brig-sloop launched in 1814 and sold in 1838. was a wood screw sloop launched in...
at Prestwick Airport