| RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) (HMS Ariel) &sq=&lang=&file=File:Naval_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg){kind=small} | |||||||||||||||||
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| Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire in England | |||||||||||||||||
&sq=&lang=&file=File:HMS_Daedalus_airfield_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1106623.jpg) HMS Daedalus airfield as seen from above the Solent | |||||||||||||||||
&sq=&lang=&file=File:HMS_Daedalus_Ships_Badge.jpg){kind=icon} HMS Daedalus | |||||||||||||||||
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Hampshire_UK_location_map.svg)  RNAS Lee-on-Solent Shown within Hampshire &sq=&lang=&file=File:United_Kingdom_adm_location_map.svg) RNAS Lee-on-Solent RNAS Lee-on-Solent (the United Kingdom) | |||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 50°48′54″N 001°12′16″W / 50.81500°N 1.20444°W | ||||||||||||||||
| Grid reference | grid reference SU560019 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type | Royal Naval Air Station | ||||||||||||||||
| Code | L | ||||||||||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Admiralty | ||||||||||||||||
| Operator |  Royal Navy | ||||||||||||||||
| Controlled by | Fleet Air Arm | ||||||||||||||||
| Site history | |||||||||||||||||
| Built | 1917 | ||||||||||||||||
| In use | 1917 - 1996 | ||||||||||||||||
| Fate | general aviation airport | ||||||||||||||||
| Battles/wars | European theatre of World War II Cold War | ||||||||||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 9 metres (30 ft) AMSL | ||||||||||||||||
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| Source: Royal Navy Research Archive[1] | |||||||||||||||||
Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent, (RNAS Lee-on-Solent; or HMS Daedalus 1939–1959 & 1965–1996 and HMS Ariel 1959–1965), is a former Royal Naval Air Station located near Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire, approximately 4 miles (6.44 km) west of Portsmouth, on the coast of the Solent.
It was one of the primary shore airfields of the Fleet Air Arm and was first established as a seaplane base in 1917 during the First World War. The aerodrome being opened in 1934, it commissioned as HMS Daedalus on 24 May 1939,[2] the day administrative control of the Fleet Air Arm was transferred to the Admiralty from the Royal Air Force and one of the four airfields in the UK that were transferred to the Fleet Air Arm.[1] Many first line squadrons were formed here and it facilitated reserve aircraft storage. During the Second World War it was home to the office of the Admiral (Air) and was the main depot for Naval Air Ratings. In October 1959 it recommissioned as HMS Ariel as a ground training establishment. It again became HMS Daedalus in October 1965, and routine service flying continued until April 1993, including a helicopter SAR Flight of 772 Naval Air Squadron, the Southampton University Air Squadron and the Hampshire Police Air Support Unit. All RN Air Engineering training was conducted at Lee-on-Solent from September 1970.
As well as the flying and AE training tasks, a number of technical and administration sections were based at Lee-on-Solent, including the Fleet Air Arm Drafting Authority, Naval Aircrew Advisory Board, Naval Air Technical Evaluation Centre, Naval Aircraft Maintenance Development Unit, Naval Air Trials Installation Unit, Mobile Aircraft Repair Transport and Salvage Unit, Safety Equipment School, Photographic School.[2] The airfield closed for military use in 1996 and passed through several owners until 2014 when Fareham Borough Council bought the airfield and re-branded it as Solent Airport Daedalus. It hosts the Solent Enterprise Zone.
The airfield is situated 4 miles (6.44 km) north west of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. Lee-on-the-Solent adjoins along the south east boundary, with the town of Gosport 2.5 miles (4.02 km) east and the port city of Southampton 8 miles (12.87 km) north west.[1]
- ^ a b c "R.N.A.S. Lee-on-Solent". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ a b Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 395.