705 Naval Air Squadron

Catapult Flight and Second World War

No. 705 (Catapult) Flight was formed at RAF Kalafrana, Malta, on 15 July 1936 by redesignating part of No. 444 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight, FAA. The flight was assigned to the battlecruisers of the Mediterranean Fleet and operated Fairey Swordfish and Blackburn Shark torpedo bomber floatplanes.^[1][2] The Flight was transferred to Admiralty control on 24 May 1939 and on the same day was disbanded at RAF Kalafrana and re-formed as 705 Squadron, FAA.^[1]

By the outbreak of the Second World War, its aircraft were embarked aboard the name ship of her class, the battlecruiser HMS Renown (1916) and her sister ship HMS Repulse, with Swordfish and Shark floatplanes.^[3][2] The aircraft were equipped with floats so that they could be launched from the ships by catapult and then recovered from the water by crane.^[2][4]

During the early part of the Second World War, 705 Squadron served on the North America and West Indies Station, where it was employed in protecting troop convoys.^[5] It returned to RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, in 1939 and was disbanded on 21 January 1940, when it was absorbed into 700 Naval Air Squadron.^[2]

Swordfish replacement training

705 Naval Air Squadron re-formed at RNAS Ronaldsway (HMS Urley), Isle of Man, on 7 March 1945 as a Swordfish replacement crew-training unit. The requirement for the unit disappeared following VE Day, and the squadron was disbanded on 24 June 1945.^[2]

Helicopter development and Fleet Requirements Unit

705 Naval Air Squadron was re-commissioned at RNAS Gosport, Hampshire, on 7 May 1947, taking over the Sikorsky Hoverfly element of 771 Naval Air Squadron.^[2] It subsequently became the Fleet Air Arm's principal helicopter evaluation and requirements unit, undertaking helicopter trials, pilot training, air-sea rescue evaluation, equipment and technique development, torpedo-recovery work, transport duties, radar calibration and other specialist tasks.^[2][6][7]

On 1 February 1947, Lieutenant Ken Reed, who was then a member of a naval flight evaluating helicopters for the Admiralty, made the first official helicopter landing on a Royal Navy warship when he landed a Sikorsky Hoverfly on the fast battleship HMS Vanguard off Portland.^[6] The landing pre-dated the squadron's May 1947 re-commissioning.^[6]

During the late 1940s and early 1950s, 705 undertook a wide range of experimental work. A Sikorsky S-51 helicopter was evaluated during Arctic trials in 1949, while the squadron also provided detachments for Operation Sandstone, surveying beaches and ports in Ireland and the United Kingdom.^[2] The squadron subsequently evaluated the Sikorsky S-55 and also conducted experimental shipboard helicopter operations, including trials aboard the Fort ship RFA Fort Duquesne.^[2]

In February 1953, 705 Squadron took part in the relief effort following the North Sea flood of 1953. Nine of its helicopters were deployed from RNAS Gosport to Gilze-Rijen in the Netherlands, where they rescued 810 people and subsequently carried out supply-dropping and other relief tasks.^[8]

The squadron also took part in the Coronation Review of the Fleet at Spithead on 15 June 1953, leading the helicopter element of the flypast with its Westland Dragonflies.^[2]

Helicopter training

By the mid-1950s, 705 Squadron's role had increasingly shifted towards helicopter training. In October 1955 it moved to RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire and later that year became a helicopter training squadron, continuing to use RNAS Gosport as a relief landing ground.^[9]

In November 1957 the Fleet Requirements Unit and search-and-rescue tasks were transferred to the newly formed 701 Naval Air Squadron. When 701 Squadron was disbanded in September 1958, the search-and-rescue role returned to 705 Squadron.^[9] The squadron subsequently moved to RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall, in the late 1950s.^[9][5] From March 1959 it was organised into three Flights: 'A' Flight for operational training, 'B' Flight for basic training and 'C' Flight for special trials.^[9]

During this period the squadron operated a succession of helicopters including the Westland Dragonfly, Hiller HT1, Sikorsky S55 and Westland Whirlwind.^[10]

The first Westland Gazelle HT.2 helicopters were received in March 1974, and by March 1975 the squadron was equipped entirely with Gazelles.^[9] From 1975, instructors from 705 also provided the Royal Navy's helicopter display capability.^[9] The principal team was The Sharks, while 705 also provided the two-aircraft "Pusser's Pair" and solo display aircraft.^[9][11] The Sharks were composed of volunteers who normally served as helicopter instructors with 705 Squadron.^[11]

Between 1975 and 1992 the Sharks helicopter display team performed at up to 20 air displays every year both in the UK and abroad.^[12]

In 1983, 705 Squadron was awarded the Boyd Trophy for its overall performance, training achievement, airmanship and contribution to the prestige of Naval Aviation.^[13]

Tri-service helicopter training

In April 1997, 705 Squadron was disbanded at RNAS Culdrose and re-formed at RAF Shawbury as part of the newly established Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS).^[5][14] It became the DHFS's Single Engine Advanced Rotary Wing training unit, operating the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil, designated Squirrel HT.1 in British military service.^[15][16]

The squadron's role continued under the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS). In 2018, it began operating the Juno HT1 light utility helicopter as part of the new rotary-wing training system.^[17][18] Since April 2018, 705 Squadron has trained pilots and aircrew from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force as part of 2 Maritime Air Wing (2 MAW).^[5]

On 28 February 2020, the Defence Helicopter Flying School was re-badged as No. 1 Flying Training School (1 FTS).^[18] 705 Squadron remained at RAF Shawbury as part of the school, providing basic helicopter flying training to personnel from all three services.^[5]

Within No. 1 Flying Training School^[19] and under 2 Maritime Air Wing, 705 Squadron provides basic and advanced rotary wing flying training for all three services pilots and rear crew. As the busiest Squadron within 1 FTS, 705 Squadron teaches both pilots and crewman a vast number of different disciplines including advanced handling, instrument flying, medium and low level navigation, mountain flying and night flying including low level navigation with NVD.^[20]

In addition to pure flying training, 705 Squadron also provides a naval focus for naval aircrew operating within an otherwise joint service and largely civilian-run organisation. The Squadron is commanded by a Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander, and has a Royal Navy "Senior Pilot", while the Flight Commander billets are filled in by Qualified Helicopter Instructors from any of the three services. Naval graduates of DHFS are streamed towards Merlin HM2, Merlin HC4/4A Commando or Wildcat AH1 / Wildcat HMA2 training Squadrons.^[20]