Royal Flying Corps The station was originally established on 29 March 1913 by the
Royal Flying Corps (RFC), as
Calshot Naval Air Station, for the purpose of testing seaplanes for the RFC Naval wing. The first aircraft to arrive was a
Sopwith Bat Boat, and one of the first buildings constructed – the Sopwith Hangar – is still in use today.
Royal Naval Air Service hangar, now used to house climbing walls and a
velodrome. In July 1914 the Royal Navy re-formed its air branch, naming it the
Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), and took over the Calshot base and its development and training functions. After the start of
World War I, the station's role expanded to take on the protection of shipping in the
English Channel, and a variety of flying-boats and seaplanes were introduced, including the
Wight Seaplane In 1917, seaplane training was extended to the new Naval Seaplane Training School at nearby
Lee-on-the-Solent (but over 30 miles away by the shortest land route). A major rebuild at Calshot then took place when new buildings, offices and workshops were constructed by the
Henry Boot Limited. The largest hangar – Sunderland Hangar – is now home to the Calshot Activities Centre. By 1918 there were two flights of
Felixstowe flying boats and a flight of seaplanes, and together they managed to exceed 9,000 hours of patrol flights in a three-month period. Out of 42
U-boats reported, 3 were sunk.
Royal Air Force On 1 April 1918 the RFC and the RNAS combined to form the
Royal Air Force (RAF) and the station became home to the headquarters of
No. 10 Group RAF. The three flights that were based at Calshot became
No. 240 Squadron RAF. After the war, the station became home to the RAF School of Naval Co-operation and Aerial Navigation, and on 5 February 1922 was renamed
RAF Calshot. ==See also==