Catapult flight / squadron (1936-1940) 713 Naval Air Squadron can trace its roots back to 1935 when 445 (Fleet Spotter Recomaissance) Flight, FAA, of the
Royal Air Force was formed on 30 August 1935. 713 (Catapult) Flight, FAA, formed on 15 July 1936 at
Royal Air Force Kalafrana, a Seaplane Station and
flying boat base in
Malta, by redesignating 445 (Fleet Spotter Recomaissance) Flight, FAA. It operated
Hawker Osprey III, a two-seat fleet spotter and reconnaissance
biplane and
Fairey Seafox, a reconnaissance
seaplane. As part of the
3rd Cruiser Squadron the unit was responsible for overseeing the aircraft stationed on the
name ship of her class, ,
sister ship and subsequently sister ship . By the onset of 1939, the unit had achieved the status of a full-fledged squadron. However, this period of relative standing was short-lived. On 21 January 1940, the unit was integrated into
700 Naval Air Squadron.
Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Training squadron (1944-1945) On 12 August 1944, at
RNAS Ronaldsway, also known as HMS
Urley, located on the
Isle of Man, 713 Naval Air Station Squadron reformed as a new unit designated as a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Training Squadron. To fulfill its training objectives, the squadron utilised
Fairey Barracuda, a
torpedo and
dive bomber aircraft. The unit undertook a comprehensive
anti-submarine training program and in parallel, 'B' Flight played a pivotal role as the Squadron Commander's Attack School, providing a specialised and intensive brief course on
dive-bombing techniques. Furthermore, 713 Naval Air Squadron joined forces with
710 Naval Air Squadron to deliver Part III of the Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance (TBR) Course. 713 Naval Air Squadron continued its training operations until its eventual disbandment in December 1945. == Aircraft flown ==