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Fleet Air Arm Collection (#2)

The Fleet Air Arm has a rich history, with iconic ships like HMS Bulwark and HMS Eagle serving as the backbone of its operations

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Fulmar I

Fairey Fulmar I aircraft in flight, circa 1942

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Blackburn Roc I

Blackburn Roc I (L3084) in flight, 1937

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Blackburn Skua II

Blackburn Skua II aircraft of 803 Squadron in flight 1939

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Miles Martinet TT. 1

Miles Martinet TT. 1
Miles Martinet TT.1 of 776 Squadron Fa in flight over the sea, Ronaldsway, 25 August 1945

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: HMS Courageous, 1932

HMS Courageous, 1932
HMS Courageous at Gibraltar, 1932

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Supermarine Attacker F. 1

Supermarine Attacker F. 1
Supermarine Attacker F.1 aircraft (WA496, WA494, WA473 & WA487) of 800 Squadron Fa in flight, 1951

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Firefly FR. 4

Fairey Firefly FR. 4
Fairey Firefly FR.4 aircraft (VH133, TW726 & TW730) of 816 Squadron RAN, flying in formation from Eglinton, 3 December 1948

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Supermarine Seafire F. 47

Supermarine Seafire F. 47
Supermarine Seafire F.47 (PS948) taking off from HMS Illustrious, May 1947

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Supermarine Sea Otter

Supermarine Sea Otter I (JM831) in flight, High Post 27 July 1945

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Whirlwind HAS. 7

Whirlwind HAS. 7
Westland Whirlwind HAS.7 helicopter of 848 Squadron in flight from HMS Bulwark, 1960

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Firefly

Fairey Firefly I

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Firefly IV

Fairey Firefly IV over HMS Illustrious 18 March 1947

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Grumman Hellcat I

Grumman Hellcat I aircraft of 1847 Squadron Fa, 1944

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Vought Corsair II

Vought Corsair II of 1833 Squadron Fa, Machrihanish, 9 December 1943

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Grumman Avenger I

Grumman Avenger I aircraft of 846 Squadron Fa, Machrihanish, 10 December 1943

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Blackburn Shark II

Blackburn Shark II seaplane flying over HMS Nelson, Weymouth, 1938

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Blackburn Shark I

Blackburn Shark I of 820 Squadron Fa over HMS Rodney and HMS Nelson, 1937

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Hawker Osprey III

Hawker Osprey III of 447 Flight Fa in Alexandria Harbour, 1936

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Seal

Fairey Seal of 821 Squadron Fa, Gibraltar, 1935

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Flycatcher

Fairey Flycatcher of 401 Flight over HMS Eagle, 1930

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: A Fleet Air Arm Sea Harrier prepares to take off from the flight deck of HMS Invincible

A Fleet Air Arm Sea Harrier prepares to take off from the flight deck of HMS Invincible October 1985

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Ships Royal Nany Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious 1959 Royal Navy

Ships Royal Nany Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious 1959 Royal Navy. Aircraft Carrier HMS Victorious with her complement of Scimitars and Sea Venoms on her deck © Mirrorpix

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Eyes Of The Fleet

Eyes Of The Fleet
circa 1940: A Blackburn Skua two seat fighter and dive-bomber of the Fleet Air Arm with arrestor hook and wheels lowered, flying over warships of the British Fleet. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Scimitar and Fairey Gannet aircraft on the flight deck of

Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Scimitar and Fairey Gannet aircraft on the flight deck of the Royal Navy Aircraft carrier The Ark Royal March 1965

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Miles Martinet TT. 1

Miles Martinet TT. 1
Miles Martinet TT.1 (RG988 R8K) of 776 Squadron Fa in flight from Ronaldsway, 25 August 1945

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Grumman Avenger I

Grumman Avenger I aircraft of 846 Squadron in flight 10 December 1943

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: de Havilland Vampire

de Havilland Vampire (LZ551) prototype taking off from HMS Ocean, December 1945

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Sikorsky Hoverfly I

Sikorsky Hoverfly I helicopters at RNAS Lee-on-Solent air display, 25 June 1947

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Seagull ASR. 1 prototype

Seagull ASR. 1 prototype
Supermarine Seagull ASR.1 prototype in flight, 19 October 1948

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Blackburn Baffins of 811 Sqn Fa

Blackburn Baffins of 811 Sqn Fa
Blackburn Baffin aircraft of 811 Squadron flying in formation above HMS Furious, 1935

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Seal of 821 Sqn Fa

Fairey Seal of 821 Sqn Fa
Fairey Seal (K3481 726) of 821 Squadron, HMS Courageous, 1934

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Blackburn Dart of 463 Flt Fa

Blackburn Dart of 463 Flt Fa
Blackburn Dart of 463 Flight being manhandled on the deck of HMS Courageous, 1932

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Blackburn Ripon of 462 Flt Fa

Blackburn Ripon of 462 Flt Fa
Blackburn Ripon of 462 Flight taking-off from HMS Furious, 1930

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: De Havilland Sea Venom FAW22

De Havilland Sea Venom FAW22 aircraft of 894 Squadron on HMS Eagle, 1957

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: De Havilland Sea Venom FAW. 20

De Havilland Sea Venom FAW. 20
De Havilland Sea Venom FAW.20 aircraft of 890 Squadron in flight, 12 July 1954

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Westland Dragonfly HR. 3

Westland Dragonfly HR. 3
Westland Dragonfly HR.3 (WG750) of the Ships Flight taking off from the flight deck of HMS Eagle 1954

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Firefly AS. 6

Fairey Firefly AS. 6
Fairey Firefly AS.6 (WD850) in flight, September 1950

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Fairey Firefly V

Fairey Firefly V (VT369) in flight 27 January 1948

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Supermarine Seafire F. 46

Supermarine Seafire F. 46
Supermarine Seafire F.46 (LA542) in flight 30 January 1946

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Grumman Wildcat V

Grumman Wildcat V (JV445) of 882 Squadron waiting to take off on HMS Searcher, 1944

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Vought Sikorsky Kingfisher I

Vought Sikorsky Kingfisher I (FN678) of 765 Squadron in flight 1943

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Grumman Martlet I

Grumman Martlet I (BJ513) in flight

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Towed Target Mk. 1

Towed Target Mk. 1
A Towed Target in flight near Lee-on-Solent

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Miles Martinet TT. 1 towing a Winged Target

Miles Martinet TT. 1 towing a Winged Target
Miles Martinet TT.1 of 771 Squadron towing a Winged Target near Lee-on-Solent

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: A Winged Target towed by a Martinet TT. 1

A Winged Target towed by a Martinet TT. 1
Miles Martinet TT.1 of 771 Squadron Fa towing a Winged Target near Lee-on-Solent

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: HMS Argus

HMS Argus at sea

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Westland Dragonfly

Westland Dragonfly HR.3 helicopters of 705 Squadron, RNAS Lee-on-Solent 21 November 1952

Background imageFleet Air Arm Collection: Beech Expeditor II

Beech Expeditor II, 1947




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The Fleet Air Arm has a rich history, with iconic ships like HMS Bulwark and HMS Eagle serving as the backbone of its operations. In February 1950, HMS Implacable joined the fleet, further strengthening its capabilities. One of the notable aircraft deployed on HMS Bulwark were the Westland Whirlwinds, which showcased their agility and versatility in various missions. These helicopters played a crucial role in enhancing the fleet's reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. HMS Indomitable holds a special place in Fleet Air Arm's legacy, having served during World War II in 1943. It witnessed intense battles and launched numerous sorties against enemy targets. The Fairey Swordfish I planes operated from this ship proved to be instrumental in several successful naval operations. Another remarkable aircraft associated with the Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C. 1, known for its cargo transportation capabilities. This versatile plane facilitated logistics support for various naval operations. The historic voyage of HMS Glorious in 1936 also deserves mention when discussing Fleet Air Arm's achievements. During this expedition, it became evident that aircraft carriers could significantly enhance maritime power projection. The Fairey Barracuda II was another key asset employed by Fleet Air Arm during World War II. This torpedo bomber played an essential role in anti-shipping strikes and contributed to significant victories at sea. In later years, De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW. 1 emerged as one of the most advanced fighter jets used by Fleet Air Arm. Its speed and firepower made it a formidable force capable of engaging both air and surface targets effectively.