Single-seat fighter squadron (1943-1944) 1837 Naval Air Squadron was officially established in the United States (US) at RNAS Quonset Point (HMS
Saker II), which had been
commissioned at the US
Naval Air Station Quonset Point a naval air station loaned to the
Admiralty, in the state of
Rhode Island, on 1 September 1943. This squadron was designated as a single-seater fighter unit and was commanded by
Lieutenant Commander(
A) A.J. Sewell, ,
RNVR. The aircraft it initially operated were ten
Vought Corsair carrier-based
fighter aircraft, these were the
Vought Chance built F4U-1 and known as the Corsair Mk I in the Fleet Air Arm. Following the initial familiarisation with the aircraft and associated equipment, the squadron commenced rigorous training to ready itself for active deployment. This training encompassed a variety of flying exercises, including
navigation drills,
low-altitude manoeuvres,
formation flying, and
air combat tactics. Additionally, the squadron engaged in Aerodrome Dummy Deck Landing (ADDL) training and conducted night flying operations. The squadron relocated to the RN Air Section located at US
Naval Air Station Brunswick,
Maine, on 1 October 1943, another naval air station loaned to the Admiralty, from August 1943. Shortly thereafter, on 4 October, the
commanding officer, piloting Corsair JT190, and
Lieutenant D.J.F. Watson, RNVR, in Corsair JT198, tragically lost their lives in a
mid-air collision. Subsequently, 1837 Naval Air Squadron was scheduled to embark on a journey to the United Kingdom via the
escort carrier, . HMS
Begum, a , set sail from
Norfolk Naval Station on the afternoon of 14 January, transporting 1837 Naval Air Squadron. After arriving in
New York Harbor on 16 January, the ship resumed its voyage, departing the port on 18 January to join convoy UT.7, which was en route to
Liverpool. The carrier reached
Liverpool port on 29 January, at which time the squadron disembarked and made their way to the naval air station
RNAS Burscough (HMS Ringtail) located in
Lancashire. On 12 February, the squadron relocated to
RNAS Stretton (HMS Blackcap),
Cheshire, subsequently departing for
Ceylon aboard the
Ruler-class escort carrier, , on 26 February. Two days later it was integrated into the
6th Naval Fighter Wing. The squadron disembarked at the Royal Navy Air Section located at
RAF Minneriya, Ceylon, on 13 April. The squadron engaged in flight training in Ceylon and temporarily boarded the Maintenance Carrier , an aircraft repair ship and
light aircraft carrier, on 5 June, for a two-day session of Deck Landing Training (DLT). Subsequently, on 19 June, the squadron transferred to the
name ship of her
class, , to enhance the carrier's fighter capabilities for operations targeting the
Andaman Islands as part of Operation Pedal. 1837 Naval Air Squadron returned to RN Air Section Minneriya on June 26th; however, this visit was brief, as the unit was scheduled to re-embark on HMS
Illustrious on 8 July to conduct a strike against targets located in
Sabang, Sumatra, as part of
Operation Crimson. In early August 1944, the 1837 squadron was integrated into the
47th Naval Fighter Wing, alongside
1834 and
1836 Naval Air Squadrons. On August 14th, 1944, the squadron boarded HMS
Illustrious's
sister ship, the Fleet Carrier, to prepare for operations targeting the
Padang airfield as part of
Operation Banquet. The unit was ultimately disbanded on 9 September to facilitate the expansion of the 1834 and 1836 Naval Air Squadrons.
Single-seat fighter squadron (1945) On 1 July 1945, 1837 Naval Air Squadron was reformed as a single-seat fighter unit at
RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet),
County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It was equipped with twenty-two Vought Corsair, these were the
Brewster built F3A-1 and F3A-1D, known as the Mk III in Fleet Air Arm service. It was primarily sourced from
1835 Naval Air Squadron, and designated for the
4th Carrier Air Group aboard HMS
Illustrious within the
British Pacific Fleet. Following the
conclusion of hostilities with
Japan, the squadron was deemed unnecessary and subsequently disbanded on 18 August at
RNAS Nutts Corner (HMS Pintail),
County Antrim, Northern Ireland, with its aircraft transferred to No. 1 Naval Air Fighter School located at
RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron),
Somerset. == Aircraft flown ==