RN fleet air arm ww2

[dinomartino1]

AVENGER AIRCRAFT FROM TWO BRITISH ESCORT CARRIERS, HMS TRACKER AND HMS ACTIVITY, SCORED A SIGNAL SUCCESS WHEN THE CONVOY THEY WERE ESCORTING TO NORTHERN RUSSIA WAS ATTACKED BY GERMAN U-BOATS AND AIRCRAFT. SIX GERMAN AIRCRAFT WERE DESTROYED, AND ONE U-BOAT WAS SENT TO THE BOTTOM.
Picture taken from one of the attacking Avengers, shows the U-boat caught on the surface. U 288 under the command of Oberleutnant Willi Maier attacked and sunk by aircraft of No 846 and No 819 Squadron 73'14 north 27'12 west

Picture taken from one of the attacking Avengers, the conning tower of the battered U-boat, with a German gunner in action.

Picture taken from one of the attacking Avengers, a huge tower of spray rises alongside the U-boat as a depth charge explodes.

Ranging Corsairs on board HMS FORMIDABLE.

1941, ON BOARD HMS ARK ROYAL. Loading a Fairey Swordfish with depth charges.

Fairey Swordfish bombers of ARK ROYAL

6 MAY 1944, ON BOARD HMS FURIOUS. IN THE EARLY HOURS OF 6 MAY 1944, CARRIER-BORNE FAIREY BARRACUDA AIRCRAFT OF THE FLEET AIR ARM MADE SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS ON TWO ENEMY SOUTHBOUND CONVOYS OFF KRISTIANSUND, NORWAY.
Members of the crew of the FURIOUS have an early breakfast of ham sandwiches and cocoa during the operation.

 

[dinomartino1]

FLEET AIR ARM PLANES. 2 OCTOBER 1945, HESTON AERODROME.
The Fairey Spearfish, a torpedo dive bomber intended to have a similar role to that of the Fairey Barracuda. Bombs and torpedoes are carried internally thus keeping the aircraft well streamlined. The engine is a Rolls Royce Griffon 69 driving a Rotol five-bladed propeller giving a maximum speed of 292 mph.
The order was cancelled and it never entered service

Fairey Swordfish bombers of ARK ROYAL.

HMS RAVAGER. 28 DECEMBER 1943, ON BOARD THE ESCORT CARRIER AT SEA. The propeller churns the water as an out of control aircraft dives into the sea.

 

[dinomartino1]

NEW FLEET AIR ARM PLANES. 2 OCTOBER 1945, HESTON AERODROME.

The de Havilland Sea Mosquito (TR 33), an all-wooden torpedo bomber which can also be used for reconnaissance and fighter duties. This aircraft is the naval adaption of the RAF Mosquito (Mosquito VI (LR 359)).

The de Havilland Sea Vampire (F 20), jet propelled aircraft, capable of flying at speeds of over 500 mph and can achieve an operational height of over 45,000 feet. It was the first pure jet aircraft to operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier (3 December 1945, HMS OCEAN).

The Vickers Armstrong Supermarine Seafire 45. Powered by a Rolls Royce Griffon engine, it has a counter rotating propeller which gives it an initial rate of climb of 3,800 feet per minute. Its maximum speed of 440 mph represents a 50mph increase on previous make of Seafire.

 

[dinomartino1]

LIBERATION OF EUROPE. FLEET AIR ARM LEAD THE GREAT ASSAULT. 6 JUNE 1944, PORTRAITS OF PILOTS OF A NAVAL SEAFIRE WING WHO WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO COMMENCE OPERATIONS ON D-DAY, SPOTTING FOR WARSHIPS, BOMBARDING ENEMY TARGETS, AND CARRYING OUT RECONNAISSANCE SORTIES.
Temporary Sub Lieut (A) N J Bowen, RNVR, of Harlow, Essex, took part in the assault.

1944, ON BOARD THE ESCORT CARRIER HMS SMITER, vancouver A US Navy blimp flying over the SMITER

Malta

THE TORPEDO ATTACK TRAINER AT ARBROATH FLEET AIR ARM STATION
View of the Torpedo Attack Trainer, directly in front of the plane is seen the ship which is projected onto the screen.

Malta Loading up the torpedoes on board a Fairey Albacore.

 

[dinomartino1]

1944, ON BOARD HMS FORMIDABLE AT SEA
Atmospheric conditions made this unusual picture of a Chance-Vought Corsair's prop wash possible.

1944, ON BOARD HMS FORMIDABLE AT SEA. A damaged Chance-Vought Corsair which crash landed, being removed.

THE ESCORT CARRIER HMS TRUMPETER, One of the attacking aircraft, an Avenger flown by the Squadron C/O, the starboard half of its undercarriage blown off by flak, lands safely on with one wheel.

1944, ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER HMS IMPLACABLE. The Royal Marine Band playing the carrier into harbour after the successful strike.

When the aircraft are landing "on" a carrier, the aerial masts are lowered (as shown) over the sides of the ship.
HMS FORMIDABLE

 

[dinomartino1]

LIBERATION OF EUROPE. FLEET AIR ARM LEAD THE GREAT ASSAULT. 6 JUNE 1944,
Seafire pilot Temporary Sub Lieut (A) W D Hughes, RNVR, of Great Crossby, Liverpool, took part in the assault.

1944, ON BOARD HMS FORMIDABLE AT SEA Bombing up a Fairey Barracuda with a 1600 lb bomb.

norway
1944 Norway Seafires and Avengers of TRUMPETER and FURIOUS circling the spot where one of the enemy ships had just blown up.

941, ON BOARD HMS ARK ROYAL. Fairey Swordfish with wings folded going down to the hangar on the lift.

Fairey Swordfish bombers of ARK ROYAL.

Ark Royal Loading torpedoes on to Fairey Swordfish aircraft

Aircraft are ranged on board the carrier. Corsairs are in the foreground and Barracudas in the rear. HMS KENT is seen in the background.
1944, ON BOARD HMS FORMIDABLE AT SEA

 

[dinomartino1]

WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM IN THE EAST. JUNE 1944, INDIA AND CEYLON Landing instructions are presented in this form for incoming pilots. Control tower in the background.

BEAT JAPS OVER NICOBAR. OCTOBER 1944, FLEET AIR ARM PILOTS WHO SCORED SUCCESSES AGAINST JAPANESE PLANES DURING THE ROYAL NAVY'S ATTACK ON THE JAPANESE HELD ISLANDS OF NICOBAR. THREE ENEMY FIGHTERS WERE SHOT DOWN.
Left to right: Sub Lieut (A) E J Hawkins, RNVR, aged 21, of Cambridge; Sub Lieut (A) E T Wilson, SANF (V), aged 24, of Johannesburg, who accounted for two of the enemy; Lieut (A) R C Westfield, RNVR, of Sunbury-on-Thames, aged 26, who led the successful flight; and Sub Lieut (A) J D S Smithwick, RNVR, aged 21, of Liverpool, who accounted for the third enemy fighter. It was his first action.

1941 Ark royal Lifting and loading 500lb bombs into dive-bomber Blackburn Skua of 800 Squadron.

An elephant pulls a Chance Vought Corsair into position on a Fleet Air Arm airfield in India. The skill and strength of the elephant in manoeuvring large objects was particularly useful in the Far East where there were few good roads.

FLEET AIR ARM WIPES OUT GERMAN CONVOY. 1 JUNE 1944, ON BOARD THE CARRIER HMS VICTORIOUS, NORTH EAST OF STADLANDET, OFF THE NORWEGIAN COAST. THE CARRIER-BORNE AIRCRAFT DISCOVERED AN ENEMY CONVOY OF TWO 6,000 TON MERCHANTMAN AND A 3,000 TON SUPPLY SHIP, ESCORTED BY FOUR FLAKSHIPS. BOTH THE MERCHANTMEN WERE HIT, THE STERN BLOWN OFF THE SUPPLY VESSEL AND ALL FOUR FLAKSHIPS WERE SILENCED AND LEFT BURNING.
New Zealanders who took part in the attack, left to right: Sub Lieut L J Ryan, of New Plymouth; Sub Lieut M C Farrer, of Te Kuiti; Sub Lieut G A Rawstron, of Christchurch; Lieut E H S Wright, of Timaru; Sub Lieut A W Direen, of Timaru; Sub Lieut P Coltman, of Auckland; and Sub Lieut A J French, of Auckland. They are all RNZNVR.

Four heroes who were decorated after their attack on the TIRPITZ took part in the attack. Left to right: Lieut Cdr V Rance, RN, of Littlehampton, who was awarded the DSO; Lieut Cdr D Brooks, RNVR, of Bickley, won bar to the DSC; Lieut P A M Hudson, RN, of Hurworth, near Darlington, who was awarded the DSC; and Lieut Cdr D W Phillips, RN, of Bridgend, who won the DSC.

 

[dinomartino1]

"FLYING FLOSSIE"; THE FLEET AIR ARM'S STRANGEST AIRCRAFT. APRIL 1944, AT SEA. 'FLYING FLOSSIE' IS A STEEL WATER TANK ON WHEELS USED TO TEST THE AIRCRAFT CATAPULTS IN HM WARSHIPS BEFORE THEY LAUNCH "LIVE" AIRCRAFT.

FLEET AIR ARM WIPES OUT GERMAN CONVOY. 1 JUNE 1944, ON BOARD THE CARRIER HMS VICTORIOUS, NORTH EAST OF STADLANDET, OFF THE NORWEGIAN COAST. THE CARRIER-BORNE AIRCRAFT DISCOVERED AN ENEMY CONVOY OF TWO 6,000 TON MERCHANTMAN AND A 3,000 TON SUPPLY SHIP, ESCORTED BY FOUR FLAKSHIPS. BOTH THE MERCHANTMEN WERE HIT, THE STERN BLOWN OFF THE SUPPLY VESSEL AND ALL FOUR FLAKSHIPS WERE SILENCED AND LEFT BURNING.
Canadian fighter pilots who took part in the attack are looking at a photograph from home. Left to right: Sub Lieut (Red) B L Hayter, of London, Ontario; Lieut D M MacLeod of Stellarton, Nova Scotia; and Sub Lieut D J Sheppard, of Toronto.

Left to right: Lieut Cdr D W Phillips, DSC, RN; Lieut Cdr V Rance, RN, DSO; Lieut Cdr D Brooks, RNVR, DSC and bar; Lieut P A M Hudson, RN, DSC, after the attack.

FLEET AIR ARM TREE-TOP PILOT. 21 TO 26 AUGUST 1944, ON BOARD HMS PURSUER OFF SOUTHERN FRANCE. SUB LIEUT (A) B A LAWRENCE, RNVR, OF SWINDON, LANCS, SUCCESSFULLY LANDED HIS DAMAGED WILDCAT FIGHTER BOMBER ON THE PURSUER AFTER IT HAD "CHEWED" ITS WAY THROUGH TREE-TOPS WHILE ON A LOW LEVEL STRAFING MISSION AGAINST GERMAN MOTOR TRANSPORT IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.

Chance-Vought Corsair fighters carrying extra fuel tanks are ranged on the deck of HMS VICTORIOUS ready for the raid on German shipping in Norwegian waters

 

[Micawber]

Stunning images, sincere thanks for posting them Dino.