1845 Naval Air Squadron

PLURIBUS OPTIMUM
(the best out of many)

The squadron formed at USN Brunswick on June 1st 1944, under the command of Lt. Cdr (A) D.G. Parker R.N.V.R. Her initial equipment was 18 Corsair Mk. III aircraft. Took passage to RNAS Eglinton, Northern Ireland on board HMS Puncher, leaving the US on August 30th 1944. Whilst at Eglinton the squadron re-equipped with 24 Corsair Mk. IVs before embarking on HMS Slinger on December 19th 1944 for passage to Australia.

Officers and men of 1845 squadron at US Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine in 1944.

1845 disembarked to RNAS Schofields, New South Wales upon SLINGER's arrival off Sydney on February 25th 1945. The squadron stayed ashore until re-embarking in SLINGER for operations with the British Pacific Fleet on March 11th. Due to operational demands, 1845 was disbanded whist still aboard SLINGER on April 5th, her aircraft and aircrew were dispersed to HM Ships Formidable and Victorious.

1845 was the only operational squadron to operate from HMS SLINGER.

Above & Below: 1845 corsairs working up in the Clyde before SLINGER sails for Australia

1845 officially reformed on June 1st 1945 as a single seat fighter squadron, equipped with 24 Corsair IVs. at TAMY 1 (Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard), Archerfield (Brisbane, Queensland). To see more info click here.

Compiled by Tony Drury

These pages are hosted and maintained by Tony Drury, Editor, the Royal Navy Research Archive