Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
No 443 (Fleet Reconnaissance)/(Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance) Flight
[May 1925 | Jun 1925 | Jul 1925 | Mar 1926 | Jul 1926 | Dec 1926 | Jul 1927 | Jul 1928 | Sep 1928 | Jul 1929 | Jul 1930 | Aug 1930 | Sep 1930 | Oct 1930 | Nov 1930 | Dec 1930 | Jul 1931 | Jul 1932 | Jul 1933 | Jan 1934 | Jul 1934 | Jul 1935 | Jul 1936]
This was formed on 21 May 1923 at RAF Base Leuchars but only on paper and it was May 1925 before aircraft began to arrive in the form of Fairey IIIDs.
Source - May 1925 Air Force List
Source - June 1925 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | George S N Johnston | 2 Dec 1924 | Officer Commanding |
Fg Off | Robert R Money | 1 Dec 1924 | |
Fg Off | George E M Robertson | 2 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1925
Date | Location |
23 Sep 1925 | HMS Furious |
15 Oct 1925 | RAF Base Gosport? |
6 Nov 1925 | HMS Furious |
xx Nov 1925 | RAF Base Leuchars |
xx xxx xxxx | ? |
28 Dec 1925 | RAF Base Leuchars |
12 Jan 1926 | HMS Furious |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | George S N Johnston | 2 Dec 1924 | Officer Commanding |
Fg Off | George E M Robertson | 2 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Frank M R Stephenson | 15 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles G H E Lumsden | 29 Jan 1926 | |
Fg Off | Harry M Mellor | 11 Jul 1925 |
Source - March 1926 Air Force List
Date | Location |
22 May 1926 | Novar |
7 Jun 1926 | RAF Base Leuchars |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Fg Off | George E M Robertson | 2 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Frank M R Stephenson | 15 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles G H E Lumsden | 29 Jan 1926 | |
Fg Off | Harry M Mellor | 11 Jul 1925 | |
Fg Off | George H Morris | 6 Apr 1926 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | Douglas H Tollemache | 6 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Alexander B B Foulerton | 6 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Claude R Townsend | 6 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1926
Date | Location |
1 Sep 1926 | Novar |
9 Sep 1926 | RAF Base Leuchars |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Graham C Bladon | 31 May 1926 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | George E M Robertson | 2 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Frank M R Stephenson | 15 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Harry M Mellor | 11 Jul 1925 | Armament Duties |
Fg Off | George H Morris | 6 Apr 1926 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | Douglas H Tollemache | 6 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Claude R Townsend | 6 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Source - December 1926 Air Force List
In January 1927 the Flight was split into two, 443B to serve on HMS Argus for service in China whilst 443A re-equipped with Fairey IIIFs in May
No 443A Flight | No 443B Flight | ||
15 Jan 1927 | HMS Furious | 26 Jan 1927 | HMS Argus |
5 Feb - 1 Mar 1927 | Gibraltar (Gun Wharf) | 21 Mar 1927 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
10 May 1927 | Novar | 5 May 1928 | RAF Base Gosport |
xx Jun 1927 | HMS Furious | ||
11 Jul 1927 | RAF Base Gosport | ||
xx Jul 1927 | RAF Base Leuchars |
No 443A Flight
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | HMS Furious/RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Fg Off | George E M Robertson | 2 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Frank M R Stephenson | 15 Jun 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Claude R Townsend | 6 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
No 443B Flight
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | HMS Tamar (Hong Kong) | China Station |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | 26 Jan 1927 | Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Harry M Mellor | 26 Jan 1927 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | John H I Wood | 26 Jan 1927 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1927
No 443A Flight | No 443B Flight | ||
xx Oct 1927 | HMS Furious | 20 Mar 1928 | HMS Argus |
24 Nov 1927 | RAF Base Gosport | 5 May 1928 | disembarked |
16 May 1928 | RAF Base Leuchars | xx May 1928 | RAF Base Leuchars |
In October 1927, No 443A amalgamated with No 421 A Flight to form No 443 (Composite) Flight
The Fairey IIIDs were withdrawn in May 1928 and the following month 443A and 443B recombined into a single flight in the Fleet Spotter Reconnaissance role.
Date | Location |
13 Jun 1928 | HMS Furious |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Furious/RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | John McFarlane | 1 Sep 1927 | Officer Commanding, MC |
Fg Off | John B Heath | 1 Sep 1927 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Sydney B Heath | 1 Sep 1927 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Frank M R Stephenson | 1 Sep 1927 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Richard H Barlow | 24 Oct 1927 | |
Fg Off | Richard P Garnett | 1 Sep 1927 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Henry D Smallwood | 22 Dec 1927 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1928
Date | Location |
19 Jul 1928 | RAF Base Gosport |
7 Sep 1928 | HMS Furious |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Furious/RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | John McFarlane | 1 Sep 1927 | Officer Commanding, MC |
Fg Off | Sydney C Woolley | 1 Sep 1927 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | John H I Wood | 17 Jul 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Richard H Barlow | 24 Oct 1927 | |
Fg Off | Richard P Garnett | 1 Sep 1927 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Henry D Smallwood | 22 Dec 1927 | Lt, RN |
Source - September 1928 Air Force List
Date | Location |
xx xxx 1928 | RAF Base Gosport? |
xx xx 1928 | HMS Furious |
1 Jan 1929 | RAF Base Gosport |
10 Jan 1929 | HMS Furious |
6 Apr 1929 | RAF Base Gosport |
21 Jun 1929 | RAF Base Leuchars |
28 Jun 1929 | RAF Base Gosport |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Furious/RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | John McFarlane | 1 Sep 1927 | Officer Commanding, MC |
Fg Off | Sydney C Woolley | 1 Sep 1927 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | Austin N R Keene | 4 Jun 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H I Wood | 17 Jul 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Richard H Barlow | 24 Oct 1927 | |
Fg Off | Herbert L Hayes | 8 Apr 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Gusaf G R Rodd | 8 Apr 1929 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1929
Date | Location |
3 Sep 1929 | HMS Furious |
27 Nov 1929 | RAF Base Gosport |
15 Jan 1930 | HMS Furious |
29 Mar 1930 | RAF Base Gosport |
22 Apr 1930 | RAF Lee-on-Solent |
8 Jun 1930 | RAF Pembroke Dock |
19 Jun 1930 | RAF Lee-on-Solent |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Furious/RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | John McFarlane | 1 Sep 1927 | Officer Commanding, MC |
Fg Off | George R M Robertson | 2 Nov 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John W M Healing | 8 Jun 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James E Fenton | 10 Jun 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Herbert L Hayes | 8 Apr 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles N McLoughlin | 24 Jan 1930 |
Source - Air Force List July 1930
Source - August 1930 Air Force List
Source - September 1930 Air Force List
Source - October 1930 Air Force List
Source - November 1930 Air Force List
Source - December 1930 Air Force List
Date | Location |
27 Aug 1930 | RAF Base Gosport |
8 Sep 1930 | Novar |
xx xxx 1930 | RAF Lee-on-Solent |
15 Jan 1930 | HMS Furious |
29 Mar 1930 | RAF Base Gosport |
8 Jun 1930 | RAF Pembroke Dock |
19 Jun 1930 | RAF Lee-on-Solent |
In November 1930 it was tasked with providing aircraft for HMS York in the 8th Cruiser Squadron and HMS Valiant in the 2nd Battle Squadron and in June 1931, HMS Hood but the last two were transferred to No 444 Flight in August.
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Furious/RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Stephen Richardson | 7 May 1931 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Alec A Murray | 23 Feb 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Edward O F Price | 9 Dec 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | George M Pares | 2 Sep 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James E Fenton | 10 Jun 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles N McLoughlin | 24 Jan 1930 |
Source - Air Force List July 1931
In August 1931 it was re-allocated to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron - HMS Dorsetshire, HMS Norfolk and HMS York in the 2nd Cruiser Squadron.
The Fairey Fleetwing prototype was attached to the Flight from December 1931 for catapult trials but was wrecked in a forced landing in heavy seas in April 1932.
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | RAF Lee-on-Solent | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Stephen Richardson | 7 May 1931 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Flt Lt | Sidney T Morgan | 10 Oct 1931 | OBE, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Edward O F Price | 9 Dec 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H I Wood | 16 Aug 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Casper John | 2 Dec 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | George M Pares | 2 Sep 1929 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1932
In December it took on responsibility for HMS Exeter in the 8th Cruiser Squadron
On 2 January 1933, HMS Exeter and HMS York's aircraft were transferred to No 407 Flight.
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | 6th & 8th Cruiser Squadrons America, West Indies and South America |
Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Stephen Richardson | 7 May 1931 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Flt Lt | John B Heath | 22 Apr 1933 | Lt Cdr, RN |
Flt Lt | Charles R V Pugh | 22 Aug 1932 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H I Wood | 16 Aug 1931 | Lt Cdr, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1933
In October 1933, HMS Exeter and HMS York's aircraft were transferred back to No 443 Flight.
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | 6th & 8th Cruiser Squadrons America, West Indies and South America |
Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Stephen Richardson | 7 May 1931 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Flt Lt | John B Heath | 22 Apr 1933 | Lt Cdr, RN |
Flt Lt | Charles R V Pugh | 22 Aug 1932 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H I Wood | 16 Aug 1931 | Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | John W Hale | 25 Oct 1933 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Alfred C R Duvall | 15 Oct 1933 | Lt, RN |
Source - January 1934 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | 6th & 8th Cruiser Squadrons America, West Indies and South America |
Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Charles R V Pugh | 22 Aug 1932 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | John H I Wood | 16 Aug 1931 | Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | John W Hale | 25 Oct 1933 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Alfred C R Duvall | 15 Oct 1933 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James D C Little | 29 Nov 1933 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1934
Some Hawker Osprey IIIs were received in May 1935. In April 1935 HMS Norfolk's aircraft was transferred to No 406 Flight and the following month No 403 Flight took over HMS Dorsetshire's
In May 1935 it took over responsibility for the aircraft in HMS Ajax (8th Cruiser Squadron)
Date | Location |
25 May 1935 | RAF Mount Batten |
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | 6th & 8th Cruiser Squadrons America, West Indies and South America |
Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | John W Hale | 25 Oct 1933 | Officer Commanding, Lt, RN |
Flt Lt | Alfred C R Duvall | 15 Oct 1933 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James D C Little | 29 Nov 1933 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John Dalyell-Stead | 10 Mar 1935 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Edmund G Clutton | 19 May 1935 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1935
In January 1936 it took over responsibility for the aircraft in HMS Apollo (8th Cruiser Squadron) and in April HMS Amphion (6th Cruiser Squadron)
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | 6th & 8th Cruiser Squadrons America, West Indies and South America |
Coastal Command |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | John W Hale | 25 Oct 1933 | Officer Commanding, Lt, RN |
Flt Lt | T W T Blackwell | 30 Dec 1935 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | H L Hayes | 30 Dec 1935 | Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | James D C Little | 29 Nov 1933 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John Dalyell-Stead | 10 Mar 1935 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | E H G Stokes | 22 Dec 1935 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1936
It was disbanded to form Nos 716 (Catapult) Flight and 718 (Catapult) Squadron on 15 July 1936.
Re-equipment and movement dates are based on those shown in 'Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' by Ray Sturtivant
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This page was last updated on 08/07/19