His Majesty's Naval Service of the British Armed Forces |
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This is a list of naval air stations of the Royal Navy. Naval air stations are shore establishments of the Fleet Air Arm, the branch of the Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft.
Currently the abbreviation RNAS stands for "Royal Naval Air Station", and in common with the Royal Air Force station naming convention, is always followed by a geographical place in which the air station is located. Historically, RNAS referred to the Royal Naval Air Service, which was the aviation branch of the Royal Navy. This merged in 1918 with the Royal Flying Corps, of the British Army, to form an independent service, the Royal Air Force.
Between 1918 and 1939, the Royal Air Force had provided the Fleet Air Arm to the Royal Navy, and Royal Naval Air Stations were consequently operated by Royal Air force personnel.
In 1939, operation of the Fleet Air Arm was transferred to the Royal Navy, with Royal Air Force personnel replaced by Royal Naval personnel, or transferring to the Royal Navy. As the Coastal Command remained part of the Royal Air Force, Royal Naval Air Stations, since 1939, have generally operated ship-borne types of aircraft when it has been necessary for them to be operated from shore.
Current naval air stations
The current Fleet Air Arm front-line operations are centred on two main operating bases (MOBs), each with a nearby satellite airfield:
- RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk) – Culdrose, Helston, Cornwall, England - (maritime Merlin operations)
- RNAS Predannack (satellite airfield) – Mullion, Cornwall
- RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) – Yeovilton, Somerset, England - (Wildcat Maritime Force, Joint Helicopter Command, Commando Helicopter Force)
- RNAS Merryfield (satellite airfield) – Ilton, Somerset
Former naval air stations
When control of the Fleet Air Arm was transferred to the from the Royal Air Force, four of its existing airfields, in the United Kingdom, were also transferred to the Fleet Air Arm, these were: Donibristle, Lee-on-Solent, Ford, and Worthy Down. At that time when operating overseas, the Fleet Air Arm still needed to rely on lodger facilities at Royal Air Force stations abroad. During the early period of the Second World War the Royal Navy worked to acquire its own airfields, both in the UK and near to strategic bases abroad. Some of these were purpose built and others were transferred over from the Royal Air Force.[1]
This list covers Fleet Air Arm establishments, both at home and overseas. It includes Air Stations, Air Sections, Air Maintenance & Repair Yards, Lodger units at RAF bases, and training establishments. The bases are listed alphabetically, by geographical location.
Key to the types of establishments:
- BCAS - British Commonwealth Air Station
- MONAB - Mobile Naval Air Base
- RAF - Royal Air Force
- RAAF - Royal Australian Air Force
- RCAF - Royal Canadian Air Force
- RNAS - Royal Naval Air Station
- RNAY - Royal Naval Air Yard
- RNAMY - Royal Naval Aircraft Maintenance Yard
- RNARY - Royal Naval Aircraft Repair Yard
- RNADC - Royal Naval Aircraft Direction Centre
- RNAE - Royal Naval Air Establishment
- RNATE - Royal Naval Aircraft Training Establishment
- RNTE - Royal Naval Training Establishment
- SAAF - South African Air Force
- TAMY - Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard
- USAF - United States Air Force
- USNAS - United States Naval Air Station
- USNAF - United States Naval Air Facility
RNAS | HMS | RAF | RN Years active | Current county | Country | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abbotsinch | Sanderling | Abbotsinch | 1943–1963 | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Lodger facilities 1939–43. Now Glasgow Airport |
Aboukir | Nile II | Aboukir | 1935–1942 | Egypt | Lodger facilities for a RN Air Section | |
n/a | n/a | Aldergrove | 1939–40 1977–1982 | Co. Antrim | Northern Ireland | Naval units as lodgers on an RAF Base. Now Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove |
Andrakaka | Ironclad | Andrakaka | 1942-43 | Madagascar | Captured Vichy French airfield, RN Air Section | |
Angle | Goldcrest | Angle | 1943 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Farmland |
Anglesey | n/a | Mona | 1915–1918 | Anglesey | Wales | Airship station |
Anthorn | Nuthatch | Anthorn | 1944–58 | Cumbria | England | Now Anthorn Radio Station |
Arbroath | Condor | n/a | 1940–1971 | Angus | Scotland | Now RM Condor |
Archerfield | Nabsford Nabreekie | n/a | 1945–46 | Queensland | Australia | RNAMY Archerfield used for: TAMY I (Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard No. 1) MONAB VII |
Argentia | Avalon III | n/a | 1943–44 | Newfoundland | Canada | Lodger facilities for RN Air Section at US Naval Air Station Argentia, now Naval Station Argentia |
Ayr | Wagtail | Heathfield Ayr | 1944–46 | South Ayrshire | Scotland | |
Bacton | n/a | Bacton | 1915–19 | Norfolk | England | |
Ballyhalbert | Corncrake | Ballyhalbert | 1945 | Co. Down | Northern Ireland | |
Ballykelly | Sealion | Ballykelly | 1962–1971 | Co. Londonderry | Northern Ireland | RAF station hosting Joint Ant-Submarine School from 1947, RN having lodger status. Joint RAF-RN station from 1962. Now Shackleton Barracks |
Bankstown | Nabberley | n/a | 1944–1946 | New South Wales | Australia | MONAB II. Now Bankstown Airport |
Beccles | Hornbill II | Beccles | −1945 | Suffolk | England | Lodger facilities only. |
n/a | n/a | Benbecula | Western Isles | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now Benbecula Airport and RRH Benbecula. | |
n/a | n/a | Benson | Oxfordshire | England | Lodger facilities only. Now RAF Benson | |
n/a | n/a | Bircham Newton | Norfolk | England | Lodger facilities only. | |
Bermuda | HMS Malabar | n/a | 1939-44 | Sandys Parish | Bermuda | Operated from North Yard of Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda on Ireland Island until relocating to Boaz Island in 1940. Care-and-maintenance status by 1945. Disposed of with other Admiralty and War Office land in 1950s |
n/a | n/a | Boscombe Down | Wiltshire | England | Now MoD Boscombe Down | |
Bramcote | Gamecock | Bramcote | 1946–58 | Warwickshire | England | Now Gamecock Barracks |
n/a | n/a | Bratton | 1943–44 | Shropshire | England | Provided training facilities for RNAS Hinstock during 1943/44 |
Brawdy | Goldcrest Goldcrest II | Brawdy | 1946–1971 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Now Cawdor Barracks |
Brunswick | Saker | n/a | 1943-45 | Maine | United States | U.S. Naval Air Station loaned to the Admiralty |
Bungay | Europa II | Bungay Flixton | 1945–46 | Suffolk | England | |
Burscough | Ringtail | n/a | 1943–46 | Lancashire | England | |
Bush Barn | n/a | Bush Barn No. 44 SLG | 1944–45 | Oxfordshire | England | RN Air Section, on the books of Kestrel. |
Calshot | n/a | Calshot | 1913–22 | Hampshire | England | |
Campbeltown | Landrail Landrail II | n/a | 1940–45 | Argyll & Bute | Scotland | Located 1 mile SE of RAF Machrihanish, grass landing ground north of the B843. |
Capel | n/a | Folkestone | 1915–19 | Kent | England | |
Cattewater | n/a | Cattewater Mount Batten | 1917–18 | Devon | England | |
Charlton Horethorne | Heron II | Charlton Horethorne | 1943–45 | Somerset | England | |
Chingford | n/a | Chingford | 1915–19 | Greater London | England | Now William Girling Reservoir |
n/a | Raven | Christchurch | ?-1945 | Dorset | England | Lodger facilities with a Naval Air Section and the Naval Air Radio Installation Unit. |
n/a (Station in Reserve) | n/a | Cluntoe | 1947-mid 1950s | Co. Tyrone | Northern Ireland | Used occasionally. |
Coimbatore | Garuda | n/a | 1942–46 | Cochin | India | Aircraft Repair Yard. Parent station to: RN Air Section Cochin, RN Air Station Sulur. Now Coimbatore International Airport |
Colombo Racecourse | Bherunda | Colombo Racecourse | 1943–45 | Colombo | British Ceylon | Now Colombo Racecourse |
Covehithe | n/a | Covehithe | 1915–19 | Suffolk | England | |
Cowdray Park | n/a | n/a | 1941–45 | West Sussex | England | Private airfield requisitioned for the storage of obsolescent naval aircraft. |
Crail | Bruce Jackdaw | Crail | 1940–1961 | Fife | Scotland | |
RNAS Training Establishment, Cranwell | Daedalus Thunderbolt | Cranwell | 1916–1918 | Lincolnshire | England | Now Royal Air Force College |
Culham | Hornbill | n/a | 1944–1953 | Oxfordshire | England | Now Culham Science Centre |
Culmhead | n/a | Culmhead Churchstanton | Somerset | England | Lodger facilities only. Now Culmhead Business Centre | |
Dale | Goldcrest | Dale | 1943–48 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Farmland/caravan sites |
n/a | n/a | Defford | Worcestershire | England | RN Air Section attached to Telecommunications Flying Unit RAF. | |
Dekheila | Grebe Nile II | LG-34/LG-235 | 1940–46 | Egypt | ||
Diego Suarez | n/a | n/a | 1940–46 | Madagascar | ||
Dartmouth | Seaborn | n/a | 1940–46 | Nova Scotia | Canada | Lodger facilities for an RN air section at an RCAF base only. Now CFB Shearwater |
n/a | n/a | Detling | 1940–41 | Kent | England | Lodger facilities only. |
n/a | n/a | Docking | 1942–44 | Norfolk | England | Lodger facilities only. |
Donibristle | Merlin | Donibristle | 1939–1959 | Fife | Scotland | |
Dounreay | Tern II | 1944–54 | Highland | Scotland | Never commissioned. | |
Drem | Nighthawk | Drem | 1945–46 | East Lothian | Scotland | Lodger facilities until 1945. |
Dundee | Condor II | Dundee | 1941–44 | Dundee City | Scotland | Seaplane base / repair depot. |
n/a | n/a | Dundonald | 1944 | South Ayrshire | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. |
Dunino | Jackdaw II | Dunino | 1942–46 | Fife | Scotland | |
Durban | Kongoni | n/a | 1940-46 | Durban | South Africa | R.N. Air Section Durban at S.A.A.F. Station, Stamford Hill |
n/a | n/a | Duxford | 1941–43 | Cambridgeshire | England | Lodger facilities only. |
East Fortune | n/a | East Fortune | 1915–18 | East Lothian | Scotland | National Museum of Flight |
East Haven | Peewit | 1943–46 | Angus | Scotland | ||
Eastchurch | n/a | Eastchurch | 1910–1918 | Kent | England | Now HM Prison Standford Hill |
n/a | Raven | Eastleigh Southampton | 1917–20, 1935–39, 1939–1947 | Hampshire | England | Now Southampton Airport |
Eglinton | Gannet | Eglinton | 1943–1959 1960–63 | Co. Londonderry | Northern Ireland | Now City of Derry Airport |
Evanton | Fieldfare | Evanton Novar | 1944–48 | Highland | Scotland | |
Fairlop | n/a | Fairlop | 1916-18 | Essex | England | Playing fields, to north of WW2 RAF Fairlop |
Fayid | Pheonix | Fayid | 1941-46 | Egypt | R.N. Aircraft Repair Yard. RAF station transferred to Admiralty control | |
Fearn | Owl | Fearn | 1942–46 | Highland | Scotland | |
Felixstowe | n/a | Felixstowe | 1913–19 | Suffolk | England | See Seaplane Experimental Station |
Fishguard | n/a | 1917–19 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | ||
Ford | Peregrine | Ford Ford Junction | 1939–1958 | West Sussex | England | Now HM Prison Ford |
n/a | n/a | Fraserburgh | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. | |
Gan | Haitian Maraga | Gan | 1941–57 | Addu Atoll | Maldives | Also known as RNAS Addu Atoll. Now Gan International Airport |
Goldhanger | n/a | Goldhanger | 1915–16 | Essex | England | Farmland |
Gosport | Siskin | Gosport | 1940–56 | Hampshire | England | |
Grimsetter | Robin | Grimsetter | 1943–45 | Orkney | Scotland | Now Kirkwall Airport |
Haldon | Heron II | Haldon | 1941–43 | Devon | England | |
Halesworth | Sparrowhawk | Halesworth | 1945–46 | Suffolk | England | Lodger facilities until 1945 |
Hastings | Spurwing | Hastings | 1943–44 | Sierra Leone | Lodger facilities until 1943 | |
Hatston | Sparrowhawk Tern II | 1939–1945 | Orkney | Scotland | ||
Heath Row | n/a | Heathrow | 1944–45 | Greater London | England | Lodger facilities for a flight of 781 Naval Air Squadron only. Now Heathrow airport |
Henstridge | Dipper | n/a | 1943–46 1946–1954 | Somerset | England | Henstridge Airfield, One of only 2 RNAS stations with 5 runways (Arbroath being the other), one of which had a dummy deck landing area with arrestor system for carrier training |
Hinstock | Godwit | Ollerton | 1943–47 | Shropshire | England | |
Hiswa | Rapax | Hiswa | Aden Protectorate | Lodger facility for an RN Air Section on RAF station. Transferred to Admiralty for development as RNAS | ||
Hornsea Mere | n/a | Atwick | ?-1918 | East Yorkshire | England | |
Inskip | Nightjar | n/a | 1943–46 | Lancashire | England | |
Jersey | n/a | Helier | 1940 | Jersey | Channel Islands | Requisitioned by the Admiralty. RN Air Section, on the books of Kestrel. Jersey Airport |
Jervis Bay | Nabswick | n/a | 1945–46 | New South Wales | Australia | MONAB V |
Kai Tak | Nabcatcher Flycatcher | Kai Tak | 1947–? | Kowloon Bay | Hong Kong | MONAB VIII |
Kaldadarnes | Baldur II | Kaldadarnes | 1943 | Iceland | Lodger facilities for an RN Air Section | |
Katukurunda | Ukussa | Katukurunda | 1942-46 | Katukurunda | British Ceylon.[2] | Transferred from the Royal Air Force in 1942 and returned in 1946. Now Katukurunda Airport |
Kete | Harrier | n/a | 1945–1961 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | |
Kilindini | Kipanga | n/a | 1942–44 | Mombasa | Kenya | |
Kingsnorth | n/a | Kingsnorth | 1914–25 | Kent | England | WW1 airship station on Isle of Grain on south bank of R Thames |
Kirkistown | Corncrake II | Kirkistown | 1945–46 | Co. Down | Northern Ireland | Lodger facilities only during WWII. Satellite airfield from July 1945. |
Komenda | Wara | Takoradi | Oct–Dec 1943 | Ghana | Now Takoradi Airport | |
n/a | n/a | Langham | 1942–44 | Norfolk | England | Lodger facilities only. |
Lawrenny Ferry | Daedalus II | n/a | 1942–43 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Riverbank slipway |
Lee-on-Solent | Ariel Daedalus | Lee-on-Solent | 1939–1995 | Hampshire | England | |
n/a | n/a | Leuchars | ?-1938 1972–78 | Fife | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now Leuchars Station |
Lewiston | Saker | n/a | 1943–45 | Maine | United States | Now Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport |
Limavady | n/a | Limavady | 1944 1945–? | Co. Londonderry | Northern Ireland | Lodger facilities during 1944. Naval charge from 1945. |
Long Kesh | n/a | Long Kesh | 1944–45 | Co. Antrim | Northern Ireland | Lodger facilities only. |
Lossiemouth | Fulmar | Lossiemouth | 1946–1972 | Moray | Scotland | Now RAF Lossiemouth. RN lodger status 1972–79. |
Luce Bay | n/a | West Freugh | 1940–43 | Dumfries and Galloway | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now MoD West Freugh |
Ludham | Flycatcher | Ludham | 1944–? | Norfolk | England | Farmland/private airstrip |
Lympne | Buzzard Daedalus II | Lympne | 1939–1940 | Kent | England | Buzzard - Support of disembarked squadrons, Daedalus II - Technical training of Air Apprentices and Air Fitters |
Machrihanish | Landrail | Machrihanish | 1941–46 1951–52 | Argyll & Bute | Scotland | Now MoD Machrihanish & Campbeltown Airport |
Mackinnon Road | Tana Kipanga II | n/a | 1942–44 | Taita-Taveta | Kenya | Now Mackinnon Road Airport |
Macmerry | Nighthawk II | Macmerry | 1945–46 | East Lothian | Scotland | |
Maharagama | Monara | n/a | 1943–46 | Maharagama | British Ceylon | Royal Naval Air Ceylonese Training Establishment in Maharagama which was later taken over by the National Teachers' Training College.[3] |
Manston | Manston | 1933–35 WW2 1974 | Kent | England | Used by FAA squadron between 1933 and 1935. Lodger facilities during WW2 and used by 845 Naval Air Squadron briefly during early 1974. Now Manston Airport | |
Maryborough | Nabstock | n/a | 1945–46 | Queensland | Australia | MONAB VI |
Maydown | Shrike Gannet II | Maydown | 1943–45 | Co. Londonderry | Northern Ireland | |
Middle Wallop | Flycatcher | Middle Wallop | 1945–46 | Hampshire | England | Now AAC Middle Wallop |
Milltown | Fulmar II | Milltown | 1946–1972 | Moray | Scotland | |
Milton Pembroke | n/a | Carew Cheriton Pembroke | 1914–18 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | |
Minnerya | n/a | Minnerya | 1942–46 | British Ceylon | Lodger facilities only. Now Hingurakgoda Airport | |
Nairobi | Korongo | n/a | 1942-44 | Nairobi | Kenya | R.N. Aircraft Repair Yard. Reserve aircraft storage |
Narborough | n/a | Narborough | Aug 1916-1916 | Norfolk | England | Farmland to NE of RAF Marham |
n/a | n/a | North Coates | 1940–41 | Lincolnshire | England | |
Nowra | Nabbington Nabswick | n/a | Jan–Nov 1945 1945–1946 | New South Wales | Australia | MONAB I MONAB V. Now HMAS Albatross (air station) |
Nutts Corner | Pintail | Nutts Corner | 1945–46 | Co. Antrim | Northern Ireland | |
Palisadoes | Malabar III Buzzard | n/a | 1941–43 | Kingston | Jamaica | Now Norman Manley International Airport |
n/a | n/a | Pembroke Dock | 1940–41 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Lodger facilities only. |
Peplow | Godwit II | Peplow | 1945–49 | Shropshire | England | |
n/a | n/a | Perranporth | 1944 | Cornwall | England | Lodger facilities only. |
n/a | n/a | Peterhead | 1942–44 | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. |
Piarco | Malabar II Goshawk | n/a | 1940–46 | Trinidad | Now Piarco International Airport | |
n/a | Kipanga | Port Reitz | ? | Mombasa | Kenya | Lodger facilities only. |
Ponam | Nabaron | n/a | Apr–Nov 1945 | Admiralty Islands | Papua New Guinea | MONAB IV |
Portland | Osprey | Portland | 1959–1999 | Dorset | England | Also previously HMS Sarepta |
Prestwick | Gannet | Prestwick | 1971–2016 | South Ayrshire | Scotland | Now Glasgow Prestwick Airport |
Pulham | n/a | Pulham | 1915-1918 | Norfolk | England | Airship station |
Puttalam | Rajaliya | n/a | 1942–45 | Puttalam District | British Ceylon | Now SLAF Palavi (Sri Lanka Air Force Palavi).[4] |
Quonset Point | Asbury | n/a | 1942–1943 | Rhode Island | United States | Now Quonset Point Air National Guard Station |
Ras el-Tin Point | Nile | Apr 1939– Jun 1946 | Alexandria | Egypt | ||
Rattray Head Rattray Crimond | Merganser | Oct 1944– Sept 1946 | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | ||
Redcar | Redcar | 1915–1919 | North Yorkshire | England | ||
Roborough | Drake II | Roborough | 1939–1942 Postwar | Devon | England | Now Plymouth City Airport |
Ronaldsway | Urley | Ronaldsway | 1944–46 | Isle of Man | ||
Sandbanks | Daedalus | n/a | 1940–43 | Dorset | England | |
Schofields | Nabthorpe Nabstock | n/a | Feb–Nov 1945 Nov 1945–June 1946 | New South Wales | Australia | MONAB III MONAB VI. Now HMAS Nirimba, up for sale. |
n/a | n/a | St Davids | 1947–1961 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Used by Airworks Air Direction Training Unit |
n/a | n/a | St Mawgan Trebelzue | 1954–56 | Cornwall | England | Used by 744 Naval Air Squadron |
St Merryn | Curlew Vulure | 1940–1956 | Cornwall | England | ||
Sembawang | Simbang Nabrock | Sembawang | Singapore | MONAB IX | ||
Sigiriya | n/a | Sigiriya | British Ceylon | Lodger facilities only. Now Sigiriya Airport | ||
Skaebrae | Tern II | Skaebrae | 1940–? | Orkney | Scotland | Lodger facilities only initially. |
n/a | n/a | Skitten | 1940–41 | Highland | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. |
Speke | n/a | Speke | 1942–45 | Merseyside | England | Lodger facilities only initially, housed a RN Air Section. Now Liverpool John Lennon Airport |
Stornoway | Mentor II | Stornoway | 1940–41 1943–44 | Western Isles | Scotland | Seaplanes operated from Stornoway harbour 1940–41. Subsequently, lodger facilities available at RAF Stornoway airfield. |
Stretton | Blackcap | n/a | 1942–1958 | Cheshire | England | |
Sullom Voe | n/a | Sullom Voe | 1940–41 | Shetland | Scotland | Lodger unit on an RAF seaplane base. |
Sulur | Vairi | n/a | 1944-46 | India | Now Sulur Air Force Station | |
n/a | n/a | Sumburgh | 1941–42 | Shetland | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now Sumburgh Airport |
Sydenham | Gadwall Gannet III | Sydenham | 1943–1973 | Co. Antrim | Northern Ireland | Also known as RNAS Belfast. Now George Best Belfast City Airport |
n/a | n/a | Tain | 1942–44 | Highland | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. |
Tambaram | Valluru | Tambaram | 1944–45 | Madras | India | Now Tambaram Air Force Station |
Tanga | Kilele | n/a | 1942–44 | Tanzania | Now Tanga Airport | |
n/a | Falcon | Hal Far | 1929–50 1952–67 | Malta | ||
Takali | Goldfinch St Angelo | Ta Kali | 1945–53 | Malta | 1943 RN Lodger unit, 1944 Transferred to RN on temporary loan in February, 1945 Full control transferred to Admiralty in April | |
Tangmere | n/a | Tangmere | 1942–50 | West Sussex | England | Lodger facilities only initially, the Naval Air Fighting Development Unit was present at some point. |
Thorney Island | n/a | Thorney Island | 1940–48 | West Sussex | England | Lodger facilities only initially, used by the Naval Air Sea Warfare Development Unit at some point. Now Baker Barracks |
Treligga | Vulture II | n/a | 1940-55 | Cornwall | England | Fleet Air Arm live firing range & emergency landing ground |
Tresco | n/a | Tresco | 1917–19 | Isles of Scilly, Cornwall | England | |
Trincomalee | Bambara | China Bay | 1940-50 | Trincomalee | British Ceylon | Lodger facility for RN Air Section from August 1940. Station transferred to the Admiralty on 15 November 1944 and renamed RNAS Trincomalee. Now China Bay Airport |
n/a | n/a | Turnhouse | 1942–44 | City of Edinburgh | Scotland | Lodger facilities only. Now Edinburgh Airport |
Twatt | Tern | n/a | 1941–1957 | Orkney | Scotland | Purpose built by the Admiralty, on books of Sparrowhawk, then independent Command Tern |
Vizagapatam | n/a | Vizagapatam | 1944-45 | India | Lodger facilities for an RN Fleet Requirements Unit | |
Voi | Tana Kipanga II | n/a | 1944 | Kenya | Never commissioned | |
Walmer | n/a | Walmer | 1917–1918 | Kent | England | Hawkshill Freedown (open land) |
Wingfield | Malagas | n/a | 1942–46 | Western Cape | South Africa | Now SAS Wingfield |
Woodvale | Ringtail II | Woodvale | 1942–45 1945–46 | Merseyside | England | Lodger facilities only initially, satellite airfield postwar. |
Worthy Down | Kestrel Ariel | Worthy Down | 1938–39 1939–1950 1952–1960 | Hampshire | England | Lodger facilities only pre WWII. Now Worthy Down Camp |
Yarmouth | Canada Seaborn | n/a | 1943-45 | Nova Scotia | Canada | Lodger facilities for an RN air section at an RCAF base only. RCAF Station Yarmouth |
Zeals | Hummingbird | Zeals | 1945–46 | Wiltshire | England |
Former naval air stations by ship name (HMS xxx)
HMS means His Majesty's Ship (or Her Majesty's Ship).
Some smaller and some very early Naval Air Stations in the list above were not commissioned as HM Ship(s). Those below were commissioned and, therefore, have a ship's name. Royal Navy shore bases and naval air stations have traditionally been named in the same manner as seagoing ships.
Officers were appointed to HMS xxx rather than to RNAS xxx and, similarly, ratings' Service Certificates will show only the name of the ship when drafted to a Naval Air Station. Thus, this list may help when researching family history records.
HMS | Nearest Town | County | Country | Current use |
---|---|---|---|---|
HMS Ariel | South Wonston | Hampshire | England | |
HMS Ariel | Lee-on-the-Solent | Hampshire | England | Solent Airport Daedalus |
HMS Ariel | Winchester | Hampshire | England | |
HMS Asbury | Quonset Point | Rhode Island | United States | Quonset Point Air National Guard Station |
HMS Bambara | Trincomalee | Ceylon | ||
HMS Berhunda | Colombo | Ceylon | ||
HMS Blackcap | Stretton | Cheshire | England | |
HMS Buzzard | Lympne | Kent | England | Industrial estate |
HMS Buzzard | Palisadoes | Kingston | Jamaica | |
HMS Condor | Arbroath | Angus | Scotland | RM Condor |
HMS Corncrake | Ballyhalbert | Co. Down | Northern Ireland | Housing |
HMS Curlew | St Merryn | Cornwall | England | Farmland |
HMS Dipper | Templecombe | Dorset | England | |
HMS Daedalus | Lee-on-the-Solent | Hampshire | England | Solent Airport Daedalus |
HMS Daedalus II | Lympne | Kent | England | Industrial Estate |
HMS Daedalus II | Sandbanks | Dorset | England | in Poole Harbour |
HMS Daedalus II | Lawrenny | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Riverbank slipway |
HMS Europa II | Bungay | Suffolk | England | Farmland |
HMS Falcon | Ħal Far | Malta | Industrial Estate | |
HMS Fieldfare | Evanton | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | Industrial Estate |
HMS Flycatcher | RAF Ludham | Norfolk | England | Farmland/private airstrip |
HMS Flycatcher | Middle Wallop | Hampshire | England | AAC Middle Wallop |
HMS Flycatcher | Kai Tak | Kowloon Bay | Hong Kong | Kai Tak Development |
HMS Fulmar | Lossiemouth | Morayshire | Scotland | RAF Lossiemouth |
HMS Gadwall | Sydenham | Belfast | Northern Ireland | Sydenham Airport 1938–1941, RAF Belfast 1941-1943 and 1973–1978, Belfast City Airport (George Best Belfast City Airport) 1978-present |
HMS Gamecock | Bramcote | Warwickshire | England | Gamecock Barracks |
HMS Gannet | Eglinton | Co. Londonderry | Northern Ireland | City of Derry Airport |
HMS Gannet | Prestwick | South Ayrshire | Scotland | Glasgow Prestwick Airport |
HMS Gannet II | Maydown | Co. Londonderry | Northern Ireland | Industry |
HMS Gannet III | Sydenham | Belfast | Northern Ireland | George Best Belfast City Airport |
HMS Garuda | Coimbatore | India | ||
HMS Godwit | Ollerton | Shropshire | England | |
HMS Goldcrest | Angle | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Farmland |
HMS Goldcrest | Brawdy | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Cawdor Barracks |
HMS Goldcrest | Dale | Pembrokeshire | Wales | |
HMS Goldcrest II | Brawdy | Pembrokeshire | Wales | Cawdor Barracks |
HMS Goldfinch | Ta' Qali | Malta | Park | |
HMS Goshawk | Piarco | Trinidad | Piarco International Airport | |
HMS Grebe | Alexandria | Egypt | ||
HMS Heron II | Charlton Horethorne | Somerset | England | Farmland |
HMS Heron II | Haldon Hills | Devon | England | |
HMS Hornbill | Culham, Abingdon | Oxfordshire | England | Fusion research facility |
HMS Hornbill II | Beccles | Suffolk | England | Various |
HMS Hummingbird | Zeals | Wiltshire | England | Farmland |
HMS Icarus | Scapa Flow | Orkney | Scotland | ? |
HMS Jackdaw | Crail | Fife | Scotland | |
HMS Jackdaw II | Kingsbarns | Fife | Scotland | |
HMS Kalugu | Cochin | India | ||
HMS Kestrel | South Wonston | Hampshire | England | Worthy Down Camp |
HMS Kilele | Tanga | Tanzania | ||
HMS Kipanga | Kilindini | Mombasa County | Kenya | |
HMS Kipanga II | Mackinnon Road | Taita-Taveta County | Kenya | |
HMS Kipanga II | Moi International Airport | Mombasa County | Kenya | Moi International Airport |
HMS Kongoni | Durban | South Africa | ||
HMS Korongo | Nairobi | Kenya | ||
HMS Landrail | Machrihanish | Argyllshire | Scotland | Campbeltown Airport |
HMS Malabar | Boaz Island | Sandys Parish | Bermuda | All shore personnel at Bermuda, including RNAS, belonged to the stone frigate HMS Malabar. Operated from North Yard of Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda on Ireland Island until relocating to Boaz Island in 1940. Care-and-maintenance status by 1945. Disposed of with other Admiralty and War Office land in 1950s. Housing. |
HMS Merganser | Rattray | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Long range radio station |
HMS Mentor II | Stornoway | Outer Hebrides | Scotland | Stornoway Airport |
HMS Merlin | Donibristle | Fife | Scotland | Dalgety Bay |
HMS Nabaron | Ponam Island | Papua New Guinea | ||
HMS Nabberley | Bankstown | Australia | Bankstown Airport | |
HMS Nabbington | Nowra | Australia | HMAS Albatross | |
HMS Nabcatcher | Kowloon Bay | Kowloon Peninsula | Hong Kong | |
HMS Nabhurst | Middle Wallop | Hampshire | England | |
HMS Nabreekie | Pinkenba | Brisbane | Australia | |
HMS Nabrock | Sembawang | Singapore | ||
HMS Nabstock | Maryborough | Queensland | Australia | |
HMS Nabswick | Jervis Bay | New South Wales | Australia | |
HMS Nabthorpe | Schofields | New South Wales | Australia | RAAF Station Schofields |
HMS Nighthawk | Drem | East Lothian | Scotland | Farmland/industry/RAF Drem Museum |
HMS Nighthawk II | Haddington | East Lothian | Scotland | Farmland/industry |
HMS Nightjar | Inskip | Lancashire | England | Farmland/industry |
HMS Nuthatch | Anthorn | Cumbria | England | Anthorn Radio Station |
HMS Osprey | Portland | Dorset | England | Coastguard base |
HMS Owl | Fearn | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | |
HMS Peewit | East Haven | Angus | Scotland | |
HMS Peregrine | Ford | West Sussex | England | |
HMS Pintail | Crumlin | Co. Antrim | Northern Ireland | |
HMS Raven | Eastleigh | Hampshire | England | Southampton International Airport |
HMS Ringtail | Burscough/Ormskirk | Lancashire | England | |
HMS Robin | Kirkwall | Orkney | Scotland | Kirkwall Airport |
HMS Sanderling | Abbotsinch | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Glasgow Airport |
HMS Sarepta | Portland | Dorset | England | |
HMS Seaborn | Halifax | Nova Scotia | Canada | CFB Shearwater |
HMS Sealion | Ballykelly | Co. Londonderry | Northern Ireland | Shackleton Barracks |
HMS Shrike | Maydown | Co. Londonderry | Northern Ireland | Industry |
HMS Simbang | Sembawang | Singapore | Sembawang Air Base | |
HMS Siskin | Gosport | Hampshire | England | HMS Sultan |
HMS Sparrowhawk | Kirkwall | Orkney | Scotland | Industrial Estate |
HMS Spurwing | Hastings | Western Area | Sierra Leone | |
HMS Tern | Twatt | Orkney | Scotland | |
HMS Ukussa | Kalutara | Western Province | Sri Lanka | Katukurunda Airport |
HMS Urley | Ronaldsway | Isle of Man | Isle of Man Airport | |
HMS Valluru | Madras | Madras State | India | Tambaram Air Force Station |
HMS Vulture | St Merryn | Cornwall | England | Farmland |
HMS Vulture II | Treligga | Cornwall | England | Farmland |
HMS Wagtail | Heathfield | South Ayrshire | Scotland | Housing estate |
HMS Wara | Sekondi-Takoradi | Ghana | Takoradi Airport |
See also
- Mobile Naval Air Base
- List of airports in the United Kingdom and the British Crown Dependencies
- List of Royal Air Force stations
- List of Royal Navy shore establishments
- Royal Navy Dockyard
- Seaplane bases in the United Kingdom
- Aircraft Handler
- List of airfields of the Army Air Corps
- Lists of military installations
- List of British Army installations
References
- ↑ "Air Stations - Air Sections - Air Yards - Air Establishments - Lodger Units". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ↑ Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association, FAAOA
- ↑ "H.M.S. MONARA". royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ↑ "Sri Lanka Air Force Palavi". AirForce.lk. Sri Lanka Air Force. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016.
"FAA Bases home page". Retrieved 21 March 2016.