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The first squadrons were equipped with biplanes, the
majority of which were amphibians or Landplanes adapted with
floats for operations as Ship's flights. Biplanes continued
to be used throughout the Second World War but monoplanes
quickly began to serve in in all roles, TBR, Fighter, and
trainers.
Monoplanes had replaced the slower, more vulnerable biplanes
after the war and a new type of flying machine also arrived
in the post-war era, the helicopter. So successful were
these versatile machines that they re-laced biplanes in the
roles of ship’s flight and anti-submarine operations,
transport and Search and Rescue.
Prop driven to Jet power
Early petrol engine, propeller driven naval aircraft were
slow and design of aero-engines and propellers which allowed
newer monoplanes to enter service and to achieve superior
speeds and better handling. High performance engines, such
as the Rolls-Royce Merlin and Griffon helped FAA squadrons
to dominate the skies into the post-war years.
During the Korean conflict Jet powered aircraft began
entering service and the propeller driven fighters could not
compete in aerial combat. The FAA entered the Jet age with
Supermarine Attacker in 1951, the first of a long line of
jet aircraft to operate from carriers into the 21st century.
Helicopters adopted the jet engine with Gas Turbines
replacing piston engines beginning with the versatile
Westland Wessex in 1961.
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The Admiralty takes control
On May 24th 1939
administrative control of the Fleet Air Arm, the naval aviation wing
of the Royal Navy, was transferred to the Board of Admiralty from
the Royal Air Force under the "Inskip Award". Formed on April 1st
1924 the Fleet Air Arm encompassed all RAF aircraft that operated
from carriers and other fighting ships. Renamed the Air Branch of
the Royal Navy, at the onset of the Second World War, the Fleet Air
Arm consisted of only 20 squadrons and 232 aircraft.
Squadrons were to be
numbered in two blocks – 800 – 899 for first-line and 700-799 for
second-line units; once these numbers were exhausted 1700 and 1800
series numbers were allocated. Squadron numbers in further
divided into blocks, organised by type and function:
First
Line Squadrons
Nos.800 to 809
Single-seat fighter squadrons in carriers.Nos.810 to 819
Torpedo bomber squadrons in carriers, later torpedo spotter
reconnaissance and torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons.
Nos.820 to 859 Spotter reconnaissance squadrons, later
torpedo spotter reconnaissance and torpedo bomber reconnaissance
squadrons.
Nos.860 to 869 Torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons. Later
reserved for Dutch-manned and then Dutch Navy squadrons.
Nos.870 to 879 Single-seat fighter squadrons. Later reserved
for Royal Canadian Navy use.
Nos.880 to 899 Single - seat fighter squadrons in carriers.
Nos.1700 to 1749 Torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons,
reallocated to amphibian bomber reconnaissance squadrons.
Nos.1750 to 1769 Single-seat fighter squadrons (not taken
up).
Nos.1770 to 1799 Two-seat fighter squadrons.
Nos.I800 to 1809 Torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadrons (not
taken up)
Nos.1810 to 1829 Dive-bomber squadrons.
Nos.1830 to 1899 Single-seat fighter squadrons.
Second
Line Squadrons
Nos.700 to 749 initially for Catapult flights, later becoming
catapult squadrons. When these ceased to exist the range became
available for training and ancillary squadrons.
Nos.700 to 710 were earmarked for use by amphibian and
floatplane squadrons in 1943, but this later lapsed.
Nos.750 to 799 Training and ancillary squadrons.
Reserve Squadron
Nos.1830 to 1844
Used for Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve squadrons, and latterly RNR
squadrons.
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