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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.

May 1925

Source - May 1925 Air Force List

June 1925

Source - June 1925 Air Force List

July 1925

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

March 1926

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

July 1926

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

December 1926

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

 Fairey IIIF (seaplane)

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    

 

July 1927

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

Graham C Bladon

 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

July 1928

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

September 1928

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

July 1929

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

July 1930

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

August 1930

Source - August 1930 Air Force List

September 1930

Source - September 1930 Air Force List

October 1930

Source - October 1930 Air Force List

November 1930

Source - November 1930 Air Force List

December 1930

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.

July 1931

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.

July 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.

July 1933

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.

January 1934

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

July 1934

 

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

July 1935

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)

July 1936

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

[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 page was last updated on 08/07/19

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