809 squadron

[david parry]

The second unit - the FAA's 809 'Immortals' Naval Air Squadron - will be created ahead of the commencement of sea trials aboard the future HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in 2018, with the full operating capability (land and maritime) being declared in 2023.:rolleyes:

[Courtney Mil]

And I had heard that both 617 and 809 will be joint RAF/RN squdrons based at Marham.

[david parry]

In 2018, 617 Sqn will transfer to its future home station at RAF Marham in the UK, and in December of that year the UK will declare initial operating capability - land (IOC - Land) for its F-35B force.

[Courtney Mil]

Fingers crossed, DP :ok:

[Davef68]

It always struck me as an interesting choice, presumably the RN are less bound by the seniority rules that affect RAF squadron numbering.

[4Greens]

Bring on 800 or 804 Squadron.

Hi Dave

[Wander00]

Well, if hey are going to be joint RN/RAF sqns, surely they should be numbered 360 and 361 ............hat, coat, running fast..............

[david parry]

CM..got my fingers crossed;). Maybe the days of strapping in your Midshipman Pilot on 809 squadron is a dream to far though:)

[goudie]

Often wondered why FAA Sqdns were numbered 800.... etc.
Anyone know?

[david parry]

This from our Archives....800 series Naval Air squadrons: the wartime front-line squadrons consisted of the 800 series: 800-819 carrier squadrons, 820-859 spotter reconnaissance and torpedo bomber reconaissance squadrons, 860-879 Commonwealth and allied navy squadrons, 880-899 single-seat fighter squadrons in carriers.

[54Phan]

As an aside, FAA training squadrons were numbered in the 700 series, IIRC.

[ian16th]

It always struck me as an interesting choice, presumably the RN are less bound by the seniority rules that affect RAF squadron numbering.

What seniority does 617 Sqdn have?

[david parry]

Same Archive.. 700 squadrons
This grouping consists of training and ancillary squadrons. Earlier the grouping 700 to 749 had included originally catapult flights, which later became catapult squadrons. Series 700 to 710 were allocated for floatplane squadrons from 1943 but did not last. The 750 to 799 series were only training and ancillary squadrons

[teeteringhead]

And for completeness the full Monty on Sqn Numbers

1-200 Regular RAF Sqns, many ex-RFC

201-299 Regular RAF Sqns, many ex-RNAS. Ex-RNAS Sqns often added 200 when they became RAF, eg 201 Sqn ex 1 Sqn RNAS and - more famously - 208 Sqn was "Naval 8".

300-399 Allied Sqns serving with RAF, usually from WW2 occupied countries eg Polish, Czech, Dutch, Norwegian, Greek, Belgian and Yugoslav Sqns. Some numbers (350-358 I think) were used by RAF Sqns in India. 360 and 361 were indeed Joint Sqns, so that may have been an unfulfilled intention, but no higher "300 series" numbers appear to have been used.

400-499 Article XV Sqns (see Wiki here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_XV_squadrons)) of RCAF, RAAF and RNZAF. 400-443 were RCAF, 450-467 were RAAF and 485-490 RNZAF.

500-599 Intended for Special Reserve Sqns but many used in WW2. Also RAuxAF Sqns, eg 502 in Norn Iron.

600-699 Intended for RAuxAF Sqns (eg 600, 601) but also used for wartime units (eg 617!!). 651-666 were AOP (Air Observation Post) Sqns and were subsequently used by AAC.

700-799 FAA second line and training Sqns. (eg 705 at Shawbury)

800-899 FAA front line Sqns.

900-999 Barrage balloon Sqns!!

I think this is right, but doubtless Old Duffer will be in with amendments if I've got it wrong! ;)

[sandiego89]

Agree 800 would have been a good choice- perhaps they wanted to avoid any link to the Sea Harrier/Harrier demise.

I had hoped for 899, just for the "Fist of the Fleet" emblem- surely one of the best symbols in Naval aviation- like Felix, the Jolly Rogers or Grim Reapers in the USN....

[david parry]

Ah! The Flying Fist from 899 Sea Vixens HMS Eagle:D. Although I'm going with the Phoenix rising of 809 Squadron

[BOAC]

the days of strapping in your Midshipman Pilot - is that another of those seamen's euphemisms, DP.......?

[goudie]

is that another of those seamen's euphemisms,

No BOAC, That's 'strapping on your midshipman

[BOAC]

....each to his own? It's a free world after xx days at sea.

[MPN11]

BOAC ... :ok:

Is one also allowed to say "LOL" here?

[Davef68]

What seniority does 617 Sqdn have?

617 has a form of accredited seniority due to it's accomplishments during WW2 (in effect, the rules of seniority don't apply to it) The same reason it was awarded it's Standard before the 25 year qualifying period.

[dctyke]

If that is the case some would argue 115 should not be a grob sqn.

[BOAC]

Is one also allowed to say "LOL" here? - from what I hear on the mod grapevine, you can probably get away with a lot.......