739 Naval Air Squadron

739 Naval Air Squadron
Active15 December 1942 - 7 March 1945
1 May 1947 - 12 July 1950[1]
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeFleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron
Role
  • Blind Approach Development Unit
  • Photographic Trials and Development Unit
SizeSquadron
Part ofFleet Air Arm
AircraftSee Aircraft flown section for full list.
de Havilland Sea Hornet F Mk 20 of 728 NAS, examples of the type used by 739 NAS

739 Naval Air Squadron (739 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, which disbanded during 1950. It was formed as the Blind Approach Development Unit for the Fleet Air Arm, operating with Fairey Fulmar and Fairey Swordfish aircraft, at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), in 1942. Just under one year later the squadron moved to RNAS Worthy Down (HMS Kestrel), in late 1943 and continued in the role. Roughly one year later the squadron moved again, relocating to RNAS Donibristle (HMS Merlin) in late 1944, disbanding in 1945. It reformed in 1947 and was based at RNAS Culham (HMS Hornbill), with a new role, as the Fleet Air Arm Photographic Trials and Development Unit.

  1. ^ Sturtivant, Ballance 1994, p. 63.