800 Naval Air Squadron: Difference between revisions
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800 NAS reformed as a Supermarine Scimitar F mk 1 unit in july 1959 with eight aircraft, under the command of Lt. Cmdr. D. P. Norman AFC at RNAS Lossiemouth, later re joining [[HMS Ark Royal (R09)]]'s air group in March 1960. After operating worldwide from the Ark, 800 returned to 'Lossie' in december 1963 and disbanded in February 1964, it's aircraft being passed to 803NAS to bring that unit up to 16 aircraft. A month later 800NAS recommissioned as a [[Blackburn Buccaneer]] S mk 1 squadron, equipped with 10 Buccaneers and four Scimitar F1s for service on the newly refitted [[HMS Eagle]]. The latter aircraft were for the next two years operated by 800B Flight, their aircraft adorned with a 'foaming tankard' badge on their tails as they were to be used as inflight refuelling tankers as the underpowered mk 1 Buccaneer could not be launched from a carrier with a full weapons load and full fuel tanks. The Buccs were launched fully armed but with a light fuel load, and would then 'top up' from waiting Scimitars which had been launched previously. 800 NAS was the only FAA sqn organised this way, and it was an interim measure pending the arrival of the mk 2 Buccaneer. In june 1966 the mk 2s began to replace the mk 1s and the Scimitars, completing the process by november of that year. |
800 NAS reformed as a Supermarine Scimitar F mk 1 unit in july 1959 with eight aircraft, under the command of Lt. Cmdr. D. P. Norman AFC at RNAS Lossiemouth, later re joining [[HMS Ark Royal (R09)]]'s air group in March 1960. After operating worldwide from the Ark, 800 returned to 'Lossie' in december 1963 and disbanded in February 1964, it's aircraft being passed to 803NAS to bring that unit up to 16 aircraft. A month later 800NAS recommissioned as a [[Blackburn Buccaneer]] S mk 1 squadron, equipped with 10 Buccaneers and four Scimitar F1s for service on the newly refitted [[HMS Eagle]]. The latter aircraft were for the next two years operated by 800B Flight, their aircraft adorned with a 'foaming tankard' badge on their tails as they were to be used as inflight refuelling tankers as the underpowered mk 1 Buccaneer could not be launched from a carrier with a full weapons load and full fuel tanks. The Buccs were launched fully armed but with a light fuel load, and would then 'top up' from waiting Scimitars which had been launched previously. 800 NAS was the only FAA sqn organised this way, and it was an interim measure pending the arrival of the mk 2 Buccaneer. In june 1966 the mk 2s began to replace the mk 1s and the Scimitars, completing the process by november of that year. |
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[[Torrey Canyon]] Incident: In march 1967 the Oil Tanker [[Torrey Canyon]] ran aground on Seven Stones Reef near Lands End and started to leak thousands of tons of crude oil into the sea, putting nearby beaches at risk of pollution. In an attempt to minimise the damage to the environment, the Bucaneers of 800 NAS along with those of the training sqn [[ |
[[Torrey Canyon]] Incident: In march 1967 the Oil Tanker [[Torrey Canyon]] ran aground on Seven Stones Reef near Lands End and started to leak thousands of tons of crude oil into the sea, putting nearby beaches at risk of pollution. In an attempt to minimise the damage to the environment, the Bucaneers of 800 NAS along with those of the training sqn [[736 Naval Air Squadron|736 NAS]] were ordered to destroy the tanker and it's cargo. Flying from RNAS Brawdy in Wales on 28th March 1967, eight Buccaneers dropped 42000lbs of High Explosive bombs and achieved a 75% success rate. The aim was to rip open the hull of the tanker to release it's catgo then set fire to it on the open sea, destroying the oil before it reached the beaches. After this the sqn rejoined [[HMS Eagle]] for the remainder of her career. |
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During this period the sqn operated 14 Buccaneer S mk 2s, and as with it's sister sqn [[809 NAS]] aboard Ark Royal in the seventies, the sqn normally kept ten buccs ready as strike aircraft, two more fitted with a specially designed recconaisance pallet in the rotating bomb bay, and the final two aircraft were fitted with buddy refuelling pods as tanker aircraft. After covering the British withdrawal from 'East of Suez' [[HMS Eagle]] returned home to pay off in January 1972, her sqns flown back to their shore bases to disband. 800 returned to Lossimouth and disbanded on 23rd February 1972, and it's aircraft were passed to the RAF. |
During this period the sqn operated 14 Buccaneer S mk 2s, and as with it's sister sqn [[809 NAS]] aboard Ark Royal in the seventies, the sqn normally kept ten buccs ready as strike aircraft, two more fitted with a specially designed recconaisance pallet in the rotating bomb bay, and the final two aircraft were fitted with buddy refuelling pods as tanker aircraft. After covering the British withdrawal from 'East of Suez' [[HMS Eagle]] returned home to pay off in January 1972, her sqns flown back to their shore bases to disband. 800 returned to Lossimouth and disbanded on 23rd February 1972, and it's aircraft were passed to the RAF. |
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On 31st March 1980 800 NAS was recommissioned with five BAe Sea Harrier FRS mk 1s at RNAS Yeovilton under Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gedge, a former Buccaneer pilot, and embarked in the new [[HMS Invincible]] until june 1981 when it transferred to [[HMS Hermes]], recently refitted with a 12 degree 'Ski Jump' ramp to assist Sea Harrier operations. |
On 31st March 1980 800 NAS was recommissioned with five BAe Sea Harrier FRS mk 1s at RNAS Yeovilton under Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gedge, a former Buccaneer pilot, and embarked in the new [[HMS Invincible]] until june 1981 when it transferred to [[HMS Hermes]], recently refitted with a 12 degree 'Ski Jump' ramp to assist Sea Harrier operations. |
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[[Falklands War]], 1982 : On the outbreak of the Falklands war, 800NAS was brought up to it's wartime strength of twelve Sea Harrier FRS1s by transferring seven aircraft and their crews from the training sqn [[899 NAS]] (the other Sea Harrier sqn [[801 NAS]], aboard Invincible similarly recieved three aircraft), and the sqn embarked on their carrier [[HMS Hermes (R12)|HMS ''Hermes'']], whilst she was still alongside in Portsmouth Dockyard. Two of the 800s planes were lost, one when it exploded on take off from HMS Hermes and one shot down during an attack on [[Goose Green]]. No Harriers were lost in air-to-air fighting and the squadron destroyed 13 enemy aircraft. Lieutenant-Commander Gordon Batt DSC was killed in action flying a [[BAe Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier]] FRS 1 from [[HMS Hermes (R12)|HMS ''Hermes'']] on 23 May 1982. During the conflict another Sea Harrier sqn, [[809 NAS]] was formed with eight spare aircraft and sent south aboard the MV Atlantic Conveyer, and on arrival in the South Atlantic these aircraft were divided between the two carriers, four each to 800 NAS and [[801 NAS]]. The aircraft were absorbed into these sqns as the 899 aircraft had been, but remained recognisable as they had been painted in light grey low visibilty camouflage as opposed to the darke sea grey scheme used by all the other Sea Harriers. Post war, 809 reaquired it's aircraft and crews and returned to the UK alongside 800 aboard Hermes, only to embark aboard the newly completed [[HMS Illustrious (R06)]] and return to the Falklands so that Invincible could be relieved to return home. 809 disbanded in december 1982 on return to the UK. Illustrious had been sent into the SouthAtlantic before being commissioned properly and spent the next few months catching up on preparations for full commissioning, after which 800NAS was transferred to [[HMS Illustrious (R06)]] in september 1983. Sqn strength was increase first to six Sea Harriers then gradually up to eight aircraft as a result of lessons relearned during the conflict. In the mid 90s the sqn re equipped with the more capable Sea Harier FA mk 2. |
[[Falklands War]], 1982 : On the outbreak of the Falklands war, 800NAS was brought up to it's wartime strength of twelve Sea Harrier FRS1s by transferring seven aircraft and their crews from the training sqn [[899 Naval Air Squadron|899 NAS]] (the other Sea Harrier sqn [[801 NAS]], aboard Invincible similarly recieved three aircraft), and the sqn embarked on their carrier [[HMS Hermes (R12)|HMS ''Hermes'']], whilst she was still alongside in Portsmouth Dockyard. Two of the 800s planes were lost, one when it exploded on take off from HMS Hermes and one shot down during an attack on [[Goose Green]]. No Harriers were lost in air-to-air fighting and the squadron destroyed 13 enemy aircraft. Lieutenant-Commander Gordon Batt DSC was killed in action flying a [[BAe Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier]] FRS 1 from [[HMS Hermes (R12)|HMS ''Hermes'']] on 23 May 1982. During the conflict another Sea Harrier sqn, [[809 NAS]] was formed with eight spare aircraft and sent south aboard the MV Atlantic Conveyer, and on arrival in the South Atlantic these aircraft were divided between the two carriers, four each to 800 NAS and [[801 NAS]]. The aircraft were absorbed into these sqns as the 899 aircraft had been, but remained recognisable as they had been painted in light grey low visibilty camouflage as opposed to the darke sea grey scheme used by all the other Sea Harriers. Post war, 809 reaquired it's aircraft and crews and returned to the UK alongside 800 aboard Hermes, only to embark aboard the newly completed [[HMS Illustrious (R06)]] and return to the Falklands so that Invincible could be relieved to return home. 809 disbanded in december 1982 on return to the UK. Illustrious had been sent into the SouthAtlantic before being commissioned properly and spent the next few months catching up on preparations for full commissioning, after which 800NAS was transferred to [[HMS Illustrious (R06)]] in september 1983. Sqn strength was increase first to six Sea Harriers then gradually up to eight aircraft as a result of lessons relearned during the conflict. In the mid 90s the sqn re equipped with the more capable Sea Harier FA mk 2. |
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January 1998, In addition to 800’s FA2 Sea Harriers from RAF Harriers GR7s [[HMS Invincible (R05)|HMS ''Invincible'']] operated in the [[Persian Gulf]]. |
January 1998, In addition to 800’s FA2 Sea Harriers from RAF Harriers GR7s [[HMS Invincible (R05)|HMS ''Invincible'']] operated in the [[Persian Gulf]]. |
Revision as of 15:20, 9 May 2010
800 Naval Air Squadron | |
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![]() Blackburn Skuas of 800 Naval Air Squadron on the flight deck of HMS Ark Royal | |
Active | 1933 - 1972 1982 - 2004 2006 - present |
Country | UK |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Type | Carrier based squadron |
Role | Offensive Support |
Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
Garrison/HQ | RAF Cottesmore |
Motto(s) | Latin: Nunquam non paratus ("Never unprepared") |
Anniversaries | none |
Equipment | Harrier GR7 |
Battle honours | Norway 1940-4 Mediterranean 1940-1 Spartivento 1940 Malta Convoys 1941-2 Norway 1940-4 'Bismarck' 1941 Diego Suarez 1942 North Africa 1942 South France 1944 Aegean 1944 Burma 1945 Malaya 1945 |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | L/C R D Lygo (1954-55), L/C A D Auld, DSC (1982-83). |
800 Naval Air Squadron is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier based squadron formed on 3 April 1933 by amalgamating No's 402 and 404 (Fleet Fighter) Flights.
History
The squadron was first equipped with nine single-seat Hawker Nimrod fighter aircraft and three two-seat Hawker Ospreys to act as navigation leaders for the Nimrods. It served aboard HMS Courageous in the Home Fleet. In 1935-1936, the carrier and squadron operated in the Mediterranean. The squadron re-equipped with the Blackburn Skua in November 1938 and took these aboard HMS Ark Royal. The Skua was a dive bomber with a secondary fighter role to allow the destruction or driving-off of enemy reconnaissance aircraft.[1]
In 1939, 800 Squadron was flying primarily Blackburn B-24 Skuas and a few Blackburn Rocs from HMS Ark Royal. The Squadron was transferred to Admiralty control on 24 May 1939.
During the German invasion of Norway in 1940, whilst based at Royal Navy Air Station Hatston, Kirkwall, Orkney 800 and 803 squadrons dive-bombed the German cruiser Königsberg at Bergen. The squadron aircraft shot down six He 111 bombers. In the attack on the Königsberg, 800 Squadron provided five aircraft and seven crews. The 800 Squadron Commanding Officer, Capt RT Partridge, RM was taken POW and four aircraft lost on an attack on the Scharnhorst on 13 June. In July 1940, the squadron was involved in the attack on the French Fleet at Oran. Two SM-79 bombers were shot down off Sardinia.
The squadron was regrouped with Fairey Fulmars in Gibraltar during April 1941, proceeding with two Flights to HMS Victorious to search for the Bismarck, and to HMS Argus. On regrouping later that year, the squadron joined HMS Furious for an attack on Petsamo, and after the West Indies onboard HMS Indomitable was involved in the Madagascar operations.
Hawker Sea Hurricanes were received in 1942 and took part in the North African landings off HMS Biter in November 1942. In July 1943, the Squadron was the first FAA squadron to be equipped with the Grumman Hellcat. The squadron, operating from HMS Emperor provided escort for Fairey Barracudas in the April 1944 attacks from against the Tirpitz in Alta Fjord, Norway
During the Korean war, the Squadron and its Seafire F.47s were on board HMS Triumph however, and their first operation was a strike by 12 Seafires and 9 Fairey Firefliess on Haeju airfield on 3 July 1950. Because of their short range, the Seafires were frequently given the Combat Air Patrol task over the fleet. During the Inchon landings in September, 1950 Seafires flew armed reconnaissance missions and spotted for the bombarding cruisers. But, by the end of the month, No 800 had only three serviceable aircraft and no replacements were available in the Far East. The inevitable crop of landing accidents and cumulative airframe stress damage meant the end of the Seafire's operational life. During the Korean war the squadron flew 245 offensive patrols and 115 ground attack sorties before HMS Triumph was replaced by HMS Theseus with its Sea Furies and Fairey Fireflies.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/HMSEagle_Attacker_Firefly_Firebrand_NAN3-53.jpg/220px-HMSEagle_Attacker_Firefly_Firebrand_NAN3-53.jpg)
In August 1951 the Supermarine Attacker enters service with the Squadron at Ford, West Sussex, later embarking on HMS Eagle. It was the first jet fighter to be standardised in the Fleet Air Arms first-line squadrons, and by 1953 the sqn had upgraded to the FB mk 2 version of the Attacker, but the following year the Attacker was withdrawn from frontline service and passed to training and reserve units. 800NAS then recommissioned with Armstrong Whitworth Sea Hawk FB mk 3s in July 1954,and joined the newly commissioned HMS Ark Royal (R09) the following year. As with other FAA Sea Hawk units at the time, the sqn operated later marks of Sea Hawk as they became available culminating in the FGA mk 6. During the 50s 800's aircraft usually had the tails painted red, and this evolved into a forward pointing red arrowhead design with crossed swords over a trident in yellow in the centre.
800 NAS reformed as a Supermarine Scimitar F mk 1 unit in july 1959 with eight aircraft, under the command of Lt. Cmdr. D. P. Norman AFC at RNAS Lossiemouth, later re joining HMS Ark Royal (R09)'s air group in March 1960. After operating worldwide from the Ark, 800 returned to 'Lossie' in december 1963 and disbanded in February 1964, it's aircraft being passed to 803NAS to bring that unit up to 16 aircraft. A month later 800NAS recommissioned as a Blackburn Buccaneer S mk 1 squadron, equipped with 10 Buccaneers and four Scimitar F1s for service on the newly refitted HMS Eagle. The latter aircraft were for the next two years operated by 800B Flight, their aircraft adorned with a 'foaming tankard' badge on their tails as they were to be used as inflight refuelling tankers as the underpowered mk 1 Buccaneer could not be launched from a carrier with a full weapons load and full fuel tanks. The Buccs were launched fully armed but with a light fuel load, and would then 'top up' from waiting Scimitars which had been launched previously. 800 NAS was the only FAA sqn organised this way, and it was an interim measure pending the arrival of the mk 2 Buccaneer. In june 1966 the mk 2s began to replace the mk 1s and the Scimitars, completing the process by november of that year.
Torrey Canyon Incident: In march 1967 the Oil Tanker Torrey Canyon ran aground on Seven Stones Reef near Lands End and started to leak thousands of tons of crude oil into the sea, putting nearby beaches at risk of pollution. In an attempt to minimise the damage to the environment, the Bucaneers of 800 NAS along with those of the training sqn 736 NAS were ordered to destroy the tanker and it's cargo. Flying from RNAS Brawdy in Wales on 28th March 1967, eight Buccaneers dropped 42000lbs of High Explosive bombs and achieved a 75% success rate. The aim was to rip open the hull of the tanker to release it's catgo then set fire to it on the open sea, destroying the oil before it reached the beaches. After this the sqn rejoined HMS Eagle for the remainder of her career.
During this period the sqn operated 14 Buccaneer S mk 2s, and as with it's sister sqn 809 NAS aboard Ark Royal in the seventies, the sqn normally kept ten buccs ready as strike aircraft, two more fitted with a specially designed recconaisance pallet in the rotating bomb bay, and the final two aircraft were fitted with buddy refuelling pods as tanker aircraft. After covering the British withdrawal from 'East of Suez' HMS Eagle returned home to pay off in January 1972, her sqns flown back to their shore bases to disband. 800 returned to Lossimouth and disbanded on 23rd February 1972, and it's aircraft were passed to the RAF.
On 31st March 1980 800 NAS was recommissioned with five BAe Sea Harrier FRS mk 1s at RNAS Yeovilton under Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gedge, a former Buccaneer pilot, and embarked in the new HMS Invincible until june 1981 when it transferred to HMS Hermes, recently refitted with a 12 degree 'Ski Jump' ramp to assist Sea Harrier operations.
Falklands War, 1982 : On the outbreak of the Falklands war, 800NAS was brought up to it's wartime strength of twelve Sea Harrier FRS1s by transferring seven aircraft and their crews from the training sqn 899 NAS (the other Sea Harrier sqn 801 NAS, aboard Invincible similarly recieved three aircraft), and the sqn embarked on their carrier HMS Hermes, whilst she was still alongside in Portsmouth Dockyard. Two of the 800s planes were lost, one when it exploded on take off from HMS Hermes and one shot down during an attack on Goose Green. No Harriers were lost in air-to-air fighting and the squadron destroyed 13 enemy aircraft. Lieutenant-Commander Gordon Batt DSC was killed in action flying a Sea Harrier FRS 1 from HMS Hermes on 23 May 1982. During the conflict another Sea Harrier sqn, 809 NAS was formed with eight spare aircraft and sent south aboard the MV Atlantic Conveyer, and on arrival in the South Atlantic these aircraft were divided between the two carriers, four each to 800 NAS and 801 NAS. The aircraft were absorbed into these sqns as the 899 aircraft had been, but remained recognisable as they had been painted in light grey low visibilty camouflage as opposed to the darke sea grey scheme used by all the other Sea Harriers. Post war, 809 reaquired it's aircraft and crews and returned to the UK alongside 800 aboard Hermes, only to embark aboard the newly completed HMS Illustrious (R06) and return to the Falklands so that Invincible could be relieved to return home. 809 disbanded in december 1982 on return to the UK. Illustrious had been sent into the SouthAtlantic before being commissioned properly and spent the next few months catching up on preparations for full commissioning, after which 800NAS was transferred to HMS Illustrious (R06) in september 1983. Sqn strength was increase first to six Sea Harriers then gradually up to eight aircraft as a result of lessons relearned during the conflict. In the mid 90s the sqn re equipped with the more capable Sea Harier FA mk 2.
January 1998, In addition to 800’s FA2 Sea Harriers from RAF Harriers GR7s HMS Invincible operated in the Persian Gulf.
April 2004, while based in Yeovilton the squadron was disbanded. It was re-commissioned on 31 March 2006 under Commander Adrian Orchard RN, when 800 NAS became the first RN squadron within Joint Force Harrier as part of Number 1 Group within RAF Strike Command. From March 2007, parts of the squadron (with 801 NAS) have also been used to form the Naval Strike Wing.
World War II battle honours
- Norway 1940-44,
- Mediterranean 1940-41,
- Spartivento 1940,
- Malta Convoys 1941-42,
- Norway 1940-44,
- 'Bismarck' 1941,
- Diego Suarez 1942,
- North Africa 1942,
- South France 1944,
- Aegean 1944,
- Burma 1945,
- Malaya 1945,
Post World War II engagements
Action over Korea, flying more than 350 combat sorties without losing a single man or aircraft, and in the Suez crisis 1956, Malaysian Emergency 1949 The Falklands, 1982 and offensive operations in the Balkans in 1990s. 800 NAS are also the only fixed wing Squadron to complete a tour of Afghanistan operating out of Kandahar airport. Although the Naval Strike Wing have also completed tours, it is made up of elements of both 800 and 801.
Falklands War
The squadron operated Twelve Sea Harrier FRS.1s aboard HMS Hermes during the Falklands War under the command of Commander Lt Cdr Andy Auld. The Squadron was supplemented by eight pilots and seven aircraft from 899 NAS. Later in the conflict four aircraft and pilots were transferred from 809 NAS. From an Air Combat perspective' 800 Squadron were effective to the extent of shooting down Thirteen Argentine Aircraft and Destroying Three more on the Ground. [2]
1st May 1982 A Pucara of FAA Grupo 3 destroyed and two more damaged and not repaired at Goose Green by CBU's by Lt Cmdr Frederiksen, Lt Hale and Lt McHarg RN. Lt Jukic killed in the destroyed aircraft. Dagger A of FAA Grupo 6 shot down over East Falkland by Flt Lt Penfold RAF using Sidewinder. Lt Ardiles (Cousin of the Footballer Osvaldo Ardiles) killed.
21st May 1982 Two A-4C Skyhawks of FAA Grupo 4 shot down near Chartres, West Falkland by Lt Cmdr Blissett and Lt Cmdr Thomas RN using Sidewinders. Lt Lopez and Lt Manzotti killed. Dagger A of FAA Grupo 6 shot down near Teal River Inlet, West Falkland by Lt Cmdr Frederiksen RN using Sidewinder. Lt Luna ejected. A-4Q Skyhawks of CANA 3 Esc shot down near Swan Island in Falkland Sound by Lt Morell RN using Sidewinder. Lt Cmdr Philippi ejected. In same attack A-4Q Skyhawk shot down near Swan Island in Falkland Sound by Flt Lt Leeming RAF using 30mm cannon. Lt Marquez was killed.
23rd May 1982 Puma SA.330L of CAB 601 flew into ground near Shag Cove House, West Falkland attempting to evade Flt Lt Morgan RAF. Agusta A-109A of CAB 601 destroyed on ground in the same incident, by Flt Lt Morgan and Flt Lt Leeming RAF using 30mm cannon. Dagger A of FAA Grupo 6 shot down over Pebble Island by Lt Hale RN using Sidewinder. Lt Volponi killed
24 May 1982 Two Dagger A of FAA Grupo 6 shot down north of Pebble Island by Lt Cmdr Auld and a third by Lt D Smith using Sidewinder. Maj Puga and Capt Diaz ejected, but Lt Castillo killed.
8th June 1982 Two A-4B Skyhawks of FAA Grupo 5 shot down over Choiseul Sound by Flt Lt Morgan RAF and a third by Lt D Smith, using Sidewinders. Lt Arraras, Lt Bolzan and Ensign Vazquez killed.
Surface Ship
9th May 1982 Flt Lt Morgan and Lt Cdr Batt dropped 1000lb bombs at the Spy trawler Narwal, when their original target of Port Stanley airfield was obscured by cloud, one bomb lodged in the trawler's hull befor they raked it with 30mm cannon fire. Narwhal sank under tow the following day.
Losses
800 NAS lost two Aircraft and Pilots during the conflict. [3]
4th May 1982
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/GADA-Sea_Harrier-2.jpg/150px-GADA-Sea_Harrier-2.jpg)
Lt Nick Taylor RN, shot down over Goose Green by radar-controlled, 35mm Oerlikon fire from GADA 601 as he ran in to attack. The aircraft exploded and hit the ground very close to the airstrip. Argentine forces buried Nick with military honours close to where he fell. Lt Nick Taylor's Grave
23rd May 1982 Lt Cmdr 'Gordy' Batt crashed into sea north east of Falklands shortly after take-off, the cause is still unknown.
Gallantry Awards
Lt Cmdr G W J Batt RN was Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross - Posthumous
Lt Cmdr A D Auld RN, Lt Cmdr N W Thomas RN & Flt Lt D H S Morgan RAF were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for their conduct and leadership throughout the campaign.
Aircraft flown
The 800 squadron has flown 15 different aircraft types, including
- Hawker Nimrod
- Hawker Osprey
- Blackburn Skua
- Blackburn Roc
- Fairey Fulmar
- Gloster Gladiator The FAA version was known as Sea Gladiator
- Hawker Hurricane The FAA version was known as Sea Hurricane
- Grumman Hellcat I (F6F-3) and II (F6F-5)
- Supermarine Seafire
- Fairey Firefly
- BAE Sea Harrier
- Blackburn Buccaneer
- Supermarine Scimitar
- Supermarine Attacker
- Hawker Sea Hawk
References
Notes
- ^ Brown 1972, p.28.
- ^ "List of Destroyed Argentine Aircraft". Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ "British Aircraft Losses". Retrieved 2009-06-24.
Bibliography
- Brown, David. Carrier Air Groups, Volume 1: HMS Eagle. Windsor, UK: Hylton Lacy, 1972. ISBN 0-85064-103-9.