705 Naval Air Squadron

705 Naval Air Squadron was first formed in 1936 from No 447 Flight Royal Air Force and operated Swordfish torpedo bombers from battlecruisers. It was disbanded in 1940, but was re-formed in 1947 as a Fleet Requirements Unit to evaluate naval use of helicopters. Since the 1950s the squadron has been involved in the basic training of helicopter aircrew, and currently forms part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury.

Pre-war and World War II (1936 - 1940)
705 Naval Air Squadron (or "705 NAS") was formed from No 447 Flight Royal Air Force, standing up in June 1936. Operational control of naval aviation was returned to the Royal Navy on 30 July 1937, and during this period the squadron operated the Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber from the battlecruisers Repulse and Renown. 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. Early in World War II the squadron saw service protecting troop convoys and hunting raiders on the North America and West Indies Station. After disembarkation to RNAS Lee-on-Solent in 1939, the squadron was disbanded in 1940.

Fleet Requirements Unit (1947 - 1950)
In May 1947, 705 Squadron was re-commissioned at RNAS Gosport with the Sikorsky Hoverfly element from 771 NAS. At first the squadron operated as a Fleet Requirements Unit, and was responsible for the evaluation of the helicopter for use at sea. On 1 February 1947 Lieutenant K Reed carried out the first helicopter deck landing on a Royal Naval ship when he landed on HMS Vanguard off Portland.

Helicopter flying training (1950 - 1997)
The squadron gradually became responsible for the basic flying training of Royal Naval helicopter pilots and was re-equipped during the 1950s with the Westland Dragonfly, the Hiller HT1 and the Sikorsky S55. The squadron moved to RNAS Culdrose in 1957 where the later marks of Hiller and Whirlwind were introduced. These types were replaced in 1974 by the Westland Gazelle HT Mk2. Between 1975 and 1992 the instructors of the squadron performed as the 'Sharks' helicopter display team at up to 20 air displays every year both in the UK and abroad.

Tri-service basic flying training (1997 - present)
In April 1997 705 NAS disbanded and reformed at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire as part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS), flying the Eurocopter Squirrel HT Mk 1 helicopter.

Current Role
Within DHFS, 705 Squadron provides the single-engine advanced training element of basic helicopter flying training for all three services, as well as pilots from foreign and Commonwealth countries. Within this remit, 705 Squadron teaches instrument flying, navigation, night flying and search and rescue techniques.

In addition to pure flying training, 705 Squadron also provides a naval focus for naval officers 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 rotation by officers from the army and RAF. Naval graduates of DHFS are streamed towards Merlin, Commando Sea King or Lynx training squadrons.

Aircraft flown
The squadron has flown a number of aircraft types since its formation, including:


 * Blackburn Shark II/SP
 * Fairey Swordfish I/SP & III
 * Sikorsky Hoverfly I & II
 * Saunders-Roe Skeeter
 * Westland Dragonfly HR1, HR3 & HR5
 * Hiller HT1 & HT2
 * Sikorsky S55
 * Westland Whirlwind HAS22, HAR1, HAR3 & HAS7
 * Westland Wasp HAS1
 * Westland Gazelle HT2
 * Eurocopter Squirrel