GLOSSARY OF NAMES

Anthorn was an airfield in Cumbria, UK.  Originally an RAF base, it was transferred to the RN in December 1942 and renamed RNAS Anthorn (or HMS Nuthatch). The airfield served as an Aircraft Receipt and Dispatch Unit (ARDU) – i.e. it accepted aircraft from manufacturers and prepared them for operational use.  It closed down in March of 1958. 

Abbotsinch was a Naval Air Station close to Glasgow, Scotland. Originally an RAF Station it was transferred to the Navy in August 1943 and commissioned HMS Sanderling (RNAS Abbotsinch) on 20th September of that year.  Its main functions were as an Aircraft Holding Unit (AHU) and an RN Aircraft Maintenance Yard.  It was paid off at the end of October 1963 and is now known as Glasgow International Airport.

RNAS Culham (HMS Hornbill) was a Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) located near Culham, Oxfordshire. It opened in 1944 as an Aircraft Receipt and Despatch Unit.  The airfield closed in 1953 and the Admiralty subsequently used it as a storage facility, owing to the many hangars constructed there. In 1960 the airfield was transferred to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority for use in nuclear and atomic research. The Joint European Torus (JET) nuclear fusion project is now based at the site.

RNAS Eglinton was a Royal Naval Air Station located about a mile NE of the village of Eglinton, County Londerry in Northern Island.  During the war it was home to 1847 Naval Air Squadron which provided convoy air cover as part of the Battle of the Atlantic. Later its main function was to work up fighter pilots.  It was closed in 1959. 

The Royal Naval Air Yard (RNAY) Fleetlands was an aircraft repair and overhaul facility, undertaking maintenance and repair tasks outside Unit level capability. It was opened in 1940 and aircraft were transported there either by lighter from the dockyard at Portsmouth, or towed by road from Lee-on-Solent or Gosport.  In April 1999 the Defence Aviation Repair Agency was formed to take over work for all three Services.  RNAY Fleetlands became DARA Fleetlands, dealing almost exclusively with rotary wing aircraft. In Feb 2008 the maintenance, overhaul and repair facility  there was acquired by Vector Aerospace, which continues to support military service helicopters. 

Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) was one of the primary shore airfields of the Fleet Air Arm. First established as a seaplane base in 1917 during the First World War, it later became the main training establishment and administrative centre of the Fleet Air Arm. Situated near Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire, approximately four miles west of Portsmouth on the coast of the Solent at grid reference SU560019, the establishment has now been closed down.

St Merryn was a former RN Air Station about seven miles NE of Newquay, Cornwall.  It operated from 1937 to 1956 and was also known as HMS Vulture and HMS Curlew. In 1940 it was a training centre for Observers and aircraft carrier flight manoeuvres.  The Wardroom was housed within the Cornish Arms Inn and there is an honour roll in it commemorating the airfield’s aviators, including several Australians who lost their lives there in flying accidents.  It was closed in 1956.

The RAN opened an Aircraft Repair Yard at RANARY Schofields in 1951, following the formation of the Fleet Air Arm. It was later commissioned HMAS Nirimba on 01 April 1953 as a joint RANARY and technical training establishment for the FAA.  It was decommissioned in February 1994. 

HMS Unicorn was an aircraft repair ship and light aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy in the late 1930s.  In the context of the Firefly history she was assigned to the Far East Fleet during the Korean War, and was used both to repair and store aircraft.  The ship returned to the UK after the war and was placed in reserve before being sold for scrap in 1959.

The following information is provided by ADF Serials, to whom we extend our grateful thanks.  The job would have been immeasurably harder if it had not been for them!

Aircraft Serial Type Const No. Aircraft History
MB69 FR.1/T.2 F.7620 RN History
14/5/46 Tested Crail
6/46 – 6/47 767 Sqn Easthaven/Milltown
13/6/46 Heavy landing into barrier HMS THESEUS (Sub Lt J.A. Evans)
7/10/46 Tail oleo collapsed HMS THESEUS (Sub Lt N.A. Mumberson)
8/48 796 Sqn, St Merryn (286/JB)
29/9/48 Hook snapped on initial impact HMS ILLUSTRIOUS (Sub Lt P.H. Fillingham)
12/48 Fairey, Stockport/ Ringway for conversion to T.2
1/9/49 AHU Abbotsinch
14/11/49 Handling Sqn, Manby
16/1/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/5/50 817 Sqn, St Merryn (212/K)

RN History
1/9/50 Examining Flt, 781 Sqn, Lee-on-Solent (212/LP)
19/2/51 Forced ldg on airfield following fuel pressure failure (Cdr J.N. Garnett)
7/52 In use by 826 Sqn, Lee-on-Solent
29/8/52 RNARY Fleetlands
31/3/53 Tested Gosport
27/4/53 RDU Anthorn
25/10/54 AHU Abbotsinch
20/11/54 1830 Sqn (Scottish Air Div, RNVR) (204/AC)
4/11/55 RDU Anthorn
10/4/57 Written off charge and scrapped

TW726 FR.IV F.6078 RN History
27/1/.47 Delivered RDU Culham
13/2/48 812 Sqn, Ford, (210/-)

 

RAN History
17/7/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton (228/JR, 228/K)
1/3/49 Bounced over wires and into No. 2 Barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Lt J. Gunn, RAN)
24/3/49 Sqn disbanded, Eglinton.

RN History
24/3/49 Aircraft returned to RN (probably via RNAMY Belfast)
16/6/49  SOC (RN)

TW730 FR.IV F.6083 RN History
24/2/47 Delivered RDU Culham
8/4/48 814 Sqn Lee-on-Solent (B)

 

RAN History
28/8/48 816 Sqn Eglinton (231/JR)

RN History
24/3/49 RNAMY Belfast
7/49 RNARY Fleetlands
25/2/50 AHU Abbotsinch
4/12/50 AHU Lossiemouth
8/12/51 737 Sqn Eglinton (202/GN)
15/8/53 RNAY Fleetlands
23/3/54 RDU Anthorn
22/7/57 Scrapped

TW737 FR.IV F.6108 RN History
6/5/47 Delivered RDU Culham
23/4/48 tested AHU Abbotsinch
5/48 814 Sqn (219/Q)
10/48 AHU Abbotsinch (?)

 

RAN History
12/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton (possibly 227/JR)

RN History
30/3/49 737 Sqn Eglinton (204/GN)
19/1/51 Stbd wing tip struck fork-lift parked ahead of the island. landed safely at Sydenham (Commissioned Pilot P.A.W. Volkes)
7/51 Fairy Ringway for conversion to TT.4
24/9/52 First flight as TT.4
23/10/52 RDU Anthorn? 771 Sqn, Ford
29/1/53 Engine failure and forced landing on beach, Gibraltar (Lt T.L. Hamblin)
16/2/53 SOC

TW739 FR.IV F.6110 RN History
18/4/47 Delivered RDU Culham
15/8/47 815 Sqn, Eglinton
13/2/48 812 Sqn, Ford

 

RAN History
17/7/48 816 Sqn Eglinton (232/JR)
17/1/49 Coolant leak on landing RNAS Abbotsinch (Lt J.D.P. Tiarks)

RN History
30/3/49 737 Sqn Eglinton
7.49 RNARY Fleetlands
10/49 – 1/50 737 Sqn Eglinton (217/GN)
7/50 Fairey Aviation
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
4/51 – 7/51 1840 Sqn, Culham
1/52 – 2/53 737 Sqn Eglinton (218/GN)
7/53 RNAY Fleetlands for reconditioning
11/12/53 Fairey, Ringway for conversion to TT.4
27/1/54 First flight as TT.4
20/2/54 RDU Anthorn
27/1/55 771 Sqn, Ford (514/FD)
18/8/55 700 Sqn, Ford (504/FD)
15/3/57 Airwork FRU, Hurn (057)
26/7/57 Swung to stbd off runway on landing in crosswind and undercarriage collapsed (Mr I.R. Matheson & Mr L.J. Stokes)
5/9/57 To RNAY Fleetlands by road
16/9/57 SOC and Reduced to Spares and Produce

TW740 FR.IV F.6111 RN History
21/4/47 Delivered to RDU Culham
15/8/47 825 Sqn, Eglinton
6/48 812 Sqn, Eglinton

 

RAN History
28/8/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton
24/1/49 Pilot’s hood flew off during take-off RAF Valley (Lt J.D.P. Tiarks)
RN History
30/3/49 – 1/50 737 Sqn, Eglinton
7.50 RNARY Fleetlands
9.50 737 Sqn Eglinton (209/JR)
28/9/50 Tail undercarriage strut sheared (Lt J.K. Arbuthnot)
9/7/51 Caught No 10 wire and hit barrier HMS TRIUMPH (Lt P.J. Medcalf)
1/52 Fairey, Hamble for reconditioning
7/52 RDU Anthorn
9/52 767 Sqn, Henstridge/Stretton (260/ST)
2/2/53 Heavy landing, port oleo collapsed during ADDLs (Lt I.L. Bowman)
6/5/54 Drifted, caught No 6 wire and port wheel went over the edge of the flight deck HMS ILLUSTRIOUS (Lt J.R.L. Cook)
7/54 RNAY Fleetlands for reconditioning.
Seen at RNAS Lee-on-Solent Air Display painted all blue.
17/12/54 RDU Anthorn
22/7/57 Scrapped

TW742 FR.IV F.6113 RN History
9/5/47 Delivered RDU Culham

 

RAN History
28/8/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton (233/JR)

RN History
24/3/49 RNAMY Belfast
30/3/49 737 Sqn, Eglinton
1/9/49 Engine failed on take-off, closed throttle & turned off runway (Lt B.C. Sellick, RAN)
29/11/49 Defect in port inner 20mm cannon, wing spar damaged during firing (Commissioned Pilot J.P. Hack)
6/9/50 SOC

TW748 FR.IV F.7432 RN History
11/6/47 Delivered RDU Culham
15/8/47 825 Sqn, Eglinton

 

RAN History
28/8/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton

RN History
30/3/49 – 1/50 737 Sqn, Eglinton
23/5/50 SOC

TW749 FR.IV F.7433 RN History
9/6/47 Delivered RDU Culham
9/47 RNAS Eglinton
13/2/48 812 Sqn, Ford

 

RAN History
17/7/48 816 Sqn Eglinton (236/JR)

RN History
30/3/49 737 Sqn, Eglinton (206/GN)
5/10/49 Barrier crash, undercarriage torn off HMS ILLUSTRIOUS (ERA Johnston ?)
1/50 Fairey Aviation
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
4/10/51 799 Sqn Yeovilton/Machrihanish
1/52 767 Sqn Yeovilton/Henstridge/Stretton (261/ST)
25/3/54 RNAMY Belfast for reconditioning
9/3/55 RDU Anthorn
29/3/57 Sold to Fairey Aviation and to Ringway for conversion to TT.4
26/9/58 First flight as TT.4

Indian Navy History
17.12.58 Sold to Indian Navy as INS118

VG973 FR.IV F.7993 RN History
23/7/47 Delivered RDU Culham
13/2/48 812 Sqn, Ford

 

RAN History
17/7/48 816 Sqn Eglinton (235/K)
3/11/48 Emergency landing after one magneto failed (Lt Cdr P.D. Lowndes)
15/3/49 Bounced, floated over barrier and landed in deck park HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr D. Buchanan, RAN).

VG986 FR.IV F.8006 RN History
10/10/47 Delivered RDU Culham

 

RAN History
28/8/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton

RN History
30/3/49 – 9/49 737 Sqn Eglinton
1/50 Fairey Aviation
6/50 767/799 Sqn, Yeovilton
3/12/51 – 2/52 799 Sqn Machrihanish
7/52 767 Sqn Yeovilton
28/9/52 Engaged both barriers HMS TRIUMPH after pilot lost sight of DLCO and cut late (Lt P.J. Spelling)
28/9/52 SOC

VG989 FR.IV F.8009 RN History
16/10/47 Delivered RDU Culham
9/48 810 Sqn
10/48-11/48 814 Sqn
1/49 810 Sqn, Lee-on-Solent
21/3/49 Heavy landing HMS THESEUS after undercarriage collapsed and acft swung to port when ship was pitching (Lt Cdr J.R.S Overbury)

 

RAN History
12/4/49 Damaged aircraft bought by RAN for GIuse.
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, and embarked HMAS SYDNEY
25/3/49 Officially transferred to the RAN
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to Nowra to be used for maintenance training
7/11/49 SOC/RSP.
Note:  Another report says this aircraft was delivered to 816 Sqn 28/8/48 but see VG990 below.

VG990 FR.IV F.8010 RN History
16/10/47 Delivered RDU Culham

 

RAN History
28/8/48 816 Sqn Eglinton
2/3/49 Braked and propeller pecked deck HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr P.D. Lowndes)

RN History7/49 RNARY Fleetlands
10/49 737 Sqn Eglinton
27/3/50 SOC

VG998 FR.IV F.8018 RN History
24/10/47 Delivered RDU Culham
13/2/48 812 Sqn, Ford (205)

 

RAN History
17/7/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton (238/K)
26/11/48 Rudder hit side of blast pen when being marshalled at dispersal (Lt J. Gunn, RAN)
8/2/49 After a slow approach during arrester gear trials on HMAS SYDNEY, undercarriage and hook removed on the round down.  Aircraft skidded into the barrier on its belly although the fuselage caught on No 8 wire.  (Lt D. Buchanan,RAN).

RN History
10/2/49 SOC – to RNAS Gosport dump

VH122 FR.IV F.8021 RN History
11/3/48 Delivered RDU Culham

 

RAN History
27/8/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton (227/JR)
27/10/48 Landed with tail wheel retracted (Lt J.D.P Tiarks)
16/2/49 Stbd oleo collapsed during DLP, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt P. Brougham)
25/3/49 Officially transferred to the RAN for GI training.
4/4/49 Embarked by road in HMAS SYDNEY at King George V Docks Glasgow
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra to be used for maintenance training.
27/8/58 SOC at Nowra  for fire fighting training.

VH133 FR.IV F.8032 RN History
17/11/47 Delivered RDU Culham
13/2/48 812 Sqn, Ford (211)

 

RAN History
17/7/48 816 Sqn, Eglinton (227/JR, 227/K)
15/3/49 Stbd wing, rear fuselage and fin severely damaged in deck park HMAS SYDNEY by VG973 (Lt J. Gunn, RAN)

RN History
3/49 RNAMY Belfast
24/3/49 SOC
6/49 On RNAS Gosport dump (still as ‘227’)

VT363 FR.5 F.8273 RN aircraft but
7/2/49 Catapult and arrester gear trials on HMAS SYDNEY
VT365 FR.5 F.8275 RN History
15/1/48 Delivered RDU Culham
11/48 703 Sqn Lee-on-Solent (027/LP)
6/49-7/49 Fairey Aviation
27/10/49 AHU Stretton to AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/50 817 Sqn, St Merryn

RN History
1/51 RNARY Fleetlands
5/3/51 Tested at RDU Anthorn
7/51 RNARY Fleetlands
12/10/51 AHU Hal Far
7/52-1/53 810 Sqn
2/2/53 Malta to UK in HMS PERSEUS
19/2/53 Disembarked at Portsmouth
26/3/53 SOC

VT368 FR.5 F.8278 RN History
26/1/48 Delivered RDU Culham
22/3/48 AHU Abbotsinch
1/9/48 To Malta in HMS OCEAN
8/9/48 AHU Hal Far
9/11/48 812 Sqn (209/O)
19/11/48 Hydraulic failure, flapless ldg on grass beside runway, Hal Far (Lt D.T. Wilkins)
19/11/48 ARS Hal Far
1/4/49 To UK
28/5/49 Fairey Aviation Stockport/Ringway for major inspection and fitting power folding wings.
14/12/49 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
8/5/50 817 Sqn (207/K)

RN History
14/10/50 AHU Abbotsinch
27/6/51 Shipped to Far East
23/7/51 Arr AHU Sembawang
30/10/51 HMS UNICORN
11/11/51 ARS Iwakuni
16/5/52 HMS UNICORN
26/5/52 825 Sqn HMS OCEAN
30/5/52 Precautionary wheels-down ldg (Lt P. Watkinson) . Salvaged by LST
13/6/52 ARS Iwakuni
18/7/52 HMS UNICORN
1/8/52 AHU Sembawang
7/11/52 HMS UNICORN
3/12/52 ARS Iwakuni
26/1/53 821 Sqn HMS GLORY
23/4/53 AHU Sembawang

RAN History
2/11/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (241/K)
RN History
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
28/1/57 SOC and scrapped on site.

VT369 FR.5 F.8279 RN History
29/1/48 Delivered RDU Culham
17/7/48 812 Sqn Eglinton (211/O, 211/R)
13/10/48 Crashed on ldg HMS OCEAN
12/9/49-1/50 Fairey Aviation to fit power folding wings
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
31/8/50 While on loan to 817 Sqn, St Merryn, made fast ldg – tail down – during DLP HMAS SYDNEY in Lyme Bay, bounced, lost undercarriage on No 3 barrier and trickled over bow. (Lt J.L. Manna RAN, OK)

RN History
SOC 26/9/50 but wreckage presumably recovered  because became GI airframe at Abbotsinch
8/54-6/57 RNEC Manadon
Engine was recovered many years later and is held by local aircraft group.

VT375 FR.5 F.8285 RN History
29/1/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch
By 19-28/1/49 814 Sqn (-/Q)
By 4/49-7/49 737 Sqn Eglinton
? Fairey Aviation to fit power folding wings

 

RAN History25/4/50 817 Sqn St Merryn (210/K)
10/7/50 Rough running and made emergency landing, crashed through hedge and caught fire, Treburick Farm, St Merryn. (Lt K.F. Wilson killed, ACMN L.Kenderdine injured)
6/8/50 SOC

VT395 FR.5 F.8295 RN History
19/3/48 Delivered RDU Culham
By 1/49 703 Sqn Lee-on-Solent (026/LP)

 

RAN History
7/2/49 Carried out catapult and arrester gear trials HMAS SYDNEY

VT397 FR.5 F.8297 RN History
22/3/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch
13/5/49 To AHU Hal Far
9/49 812 Sqn
16/9/49 RDU Culham and to Fairey Aviation, Ringway

 

RAN History
25/4/50 817 Sqn
15/5/50 Stbd undercarriage collapsed, St Merryn, (Lt W.E. Dunlop, RAN)
26/9/50 Stbd undercarriage collapsed on ldg (Lt W.E. Dunlop, RAN)
9/10/50 Tail oleo collapsed ldg HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr R.B. Lunberg, RN)

RN History
1/51-7/51 RNARY Fleetlands
12/51 825 Sqn
25/2/52 AHU Hal Far
SOC in Mediterranean 6/3/52

VT399 FR.5 F.8299 RN History
22/3/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch
20/1/49 814 Sqn Yeovilton
29/1/49 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
3/49 816 Sqn Eglinton (226/K)

RN History
7/49 AHU Abbotsinch
12/7/49 SOC

VT411 FR.5 F.8311 RN History
9/4/48 Delivered RDU Culham
20/1/49 Fairey Ringway to fit power folding wings
2/6/49 AHU Abbotsinch
24/3/50 796 Sqn St Merryn (201/MF)
10/1/51 RDU Anthorn
14/4/51 Stn Flt Lee-on-Solent for Handling Sqn, RAF Manby
11/9/51 AHU Abbotsinch
19/6/52 Shipped to Far East
22/7/52 Arr AHU Sembawang
7/3/53 HMS UNICORN
6/4/53 ARS Iwakuni

 

RAN History
16/4/54 HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
6/5/54 ARS Iwakuni
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
25/10/54 To UK in HMS GLORY
9/12/54 RNAY Fleetlands
7/9/55 Scr on site
4/10/55 SOC

VT424 FR.5 F.8324 RN History
19/5/48 Delivered RDU Culham
5/49-7/49 814 Sqn Culdrose (218/Q)
1/50 Fairey Aviation

 

RAN History
25/4/50 817 Sqn St Merryn
24/8/50 Undercarriage damaged in ldg during ADDLs, St Merryn (Lt H.L. Mortlock, RAN)

RN History
1/51-7/51 RNARY Fleetlands
12/1/52 820 Sqn – emergency ldg, rough running engine and oil on windscreen, St Merryn (Sub Lt P.J. Medcalf)
1/52 Gosport
3/3/52 Fairey, White Waltham for investigation of high oil temperature
5/5/53 RNAY Fleetlands for reconditioning
13/8/53 RDU Anthorn
7/54 RNAY Belfast
22/4/55 RDU Anthorn
10/1/58 Sold for scrap to Enfield Rolling Mills

VT433 FR.5 F.8333 RN History
14/6/48 Delivered RDU Culham
17/7/48 – 10/48 812 Sqn (201/O, 201/R)
1/4/49 Shipped to UK in damaged state in HMS TRIUMPH
7/49 Fairey Aviation to fit power folding wings
1/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
25/4/50 – 7/50 817 Sqn St Merryn

RN History
1/51-1/52 AHU Abbotsinch
7/3/.52 AHU Hal Far
3/52 825 Sqn HMS OCEAN
11/5/52 As R/P was fired in attacking dive, there was an explosion and engine stopped. Second similar explosion when jettisoning remaining R/Ps.  Ditched 15 miles SSE of Haeju, Korea, (Lt S.G. Gandey, Sub Lt A Bishop rescued by US HU.16 Albatross)
12/5/52 SOC

VT438 FR.5 F.8338 RN History
5/7/48 Delivered RDU Culham
17/7/48 812 Sqn Eglinton (211/O)
30/9/48 Caught No 10 wire and entered barrier during DLT HMS OCEAN (Lt Cdr I.D. Roberts)
13/10/48 During DLT, caught wire but landed heavily and port undercarriage collapsed. (Lt Cdr I.D. Roberts)
1/4/49 Returned to UK in HMS TRIUMPH
By 7/49 Fairey Aviation, Ringway to fit power folding wings

 

RAN History
25/4/50 – 7/50 817 Sqn, St Merryn

RN History
1/51-6/51 RNARY Fleetlands
7/51 737 Sqn, Eglinton
16/10/51 With 719 Sqn, Eglinton, when engine failed and ditched. (Lt Cdr J.R. Hone and crew rescued by ASR acft within 5 minutes)
23/10/51 SOC

VT440 FR5/T.5 F8340 RN History
1/7/48 Delivered RDU Culham
16/7/48 812 Sqn, Eglinton (204/R)
13/12/48 Engine overspeed during dives, Hal far (Lt Cdr I.D. Roberts)
12/9/49 RDU Culham
By 1/50 Fairey Aviation  to fit power folding wings
7/50-7/51 AHU Abbotsinch
? AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
1/3/52 Transferred to RAN (other reports say embarked HMAS SYDNEY 11/2/52)
7/3/52 Nowra storage
9/4/53 816 Sqn
19/9/53 RANAS Nowra
16/10/53 Schofields for storage
23/9/54 Fairey, Bankstown  for repair and conversion to T.5
24/5/55 Nowra
21/6/55 724 Sqn, Nowra (961/NW)
9/4/56 Port undercarriage partially collapsed on landing during night dual circuits (Lt P.R. Dallosso, RAN)
2/10/56 Port undercarriage collapsed and acft swung off runway on
landing during night dual circuits (Lt P.R. Dallosso, RAN)
25/10/56 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
30/1/.58 Schofields as GI acft
26/9/60 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Aluminium Ingots.

VT458 FR.5 F.8342 RN History
19/7/48 Delivered RDU Culham
17/7/48 (?) 812 Sqn Eglinton
12/7/49 AHU Abbotsinch
1/50 Fairey Aviation to fit power folding wings
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
30/7/51 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
1/52 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
7/52 HMS UNICORN
3/53 821 Sqn HMS GLORY
25/5/53 Sqn disbanded
7/53 AHU Sembawang for storage
5/6/54 To UK in HMS PERSEUS
12/7/54 Arr UK
21/12/54 SOC

VT461 FR.5/U.9 F.8345 RN History
8/7/48 Delivered RDU Culham
17/7/48 812 Sqn, Eglinton
1/4/49 Returned to UK
By 7/49 Fairey  Aviation to fit power folding wings
1/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
24/4/50 – 7/50 817 Sqn St Merryn

RN History
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
3/7/51 – 12/51 820 Sqn, Eglinton/St Merryn
1/52-5/52 796 Sqn St Merryn
7/52 RDU Anthorn
2/3/53 825 Sqn, HMS EAGLE, (282/J)
16/7/53 Flap not properly down, caught last wire and entered No 1 barrier, HMS EAGLE (Lt W.R. Sherlock)
18/1/54 RNAY Belfast
6/11/54 RDU Anthorn
? Transferred to permanent C(A) (Controller (Air) charge
23/5/55 Fairy, Hamble, for reconditioning
21/8/56 Fairy, Ringway for conversion to U.9
22/5/57 First flight as U.9
29/8/57 RAE Llanbedr

29/11/57 Went out of control and ditched 6 miles SW of Bardsey Island
(But reportedly recovered and repaired at Fairey Ringway 11/2/58 for 728B Sqn, Hal Far but no record with that unit)

VT463 FR.5/U.9 F.8347 RN History
7/7/48 Delivered RDU Culham
17/7/48 812 Sqn, Eglinton (210/O, 210/R)
1/12/48 Badly damaged in crash on deck (Lt G.J.R Edgar, Lt T. Ford)
1/4/49 To UK in damaged stat in HMS TRIUMPH
By 7/49 Fairey Aviation for power folding wings

 

RAN History
25/4/50 – 7/50 817 Sqn, St Merryn

RN History
1/51 Fairey Aviation
7/51 RDU Anthorn
1/52 AHU Abbotsinch
25/1/52 – 7/52 AHU Hal Far
3/53 810 Sqn HMS OCEAN
17/12/53 – 7/54 RNAY Fleetlands
10/54 1840 Sqn, Ford (210/FD)
By 7/55 RDU Anthorn
29/9/55 Transferred to permanent C(A) (Controller (Air) charge
2/3/56 Fairey, Hamble for reconditioning
3/1/57 Fairey, Ringway for conversion to U.9
22/10/57 First flight as U.9
11/2/58 AHU Stretton
By 5/58 728B Sqn, Hal Far
23/5/58 Wheels up ldg after damage to stbd undercarriage (Lt P.A. McKern, PO D.B. Barr)
17/9/58 Shot down off Malta

VT470 FR.5/U.9 F.8354 RN History
23/7/48 -1/49 Delivered RDU Culham
7/49 Fairey Aviation to fit power folding wings
1/50 AHU Abbotsinch
By 5/6/50 812 Sqn

 

RAN History
7/50 817 Sqn, St Merryn

RN History
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
12/6/51 825 Sqn, Eglinton
5/2/52 AHU Hal Far
6/3/52 To UK
7/52 RDU Anthorn
2/3/53 825 Sqn (283/J)
24/10/53 RNAY Fleetlands (via Gosport)
23/9/55 Acceptance test for 1830/1843 Sqns, Abbotsinch (226/AC)
9/55 RDU Anthorn
29/9/55 Fairey, Hamble for reconditioning
8/2/57 Fairey, Ringway for conversion to U.9
4/3/57 Fairey, Hamble (transferred to C(A) charge in exchange for VT480)
31/5/57 Fairey, Ringway for conversion to U.9
9/1/59 First flight as U.9
3/7/59 Yeovilton en route to 728B Sqn, Hal Far
25/5/60 Shot down off Malta
26/8/60 SOC

VT484 FR5 F.8368 RN History
1/9/48 Delivered RDU Culham
22/7/49 Fairey, Stockport/Ringway for power wing fold mods
13/12/49 AHU Abbotsinch
26/10/50 737 Sqn Eglinton (209/GN)
18/1/51 Heavy ldg, undercarriage collapsed, prop pecked deck (Lt Cdr J.R. Hone)
4/6/51 Oil pressure drop, normal ldg with reduced power (Lt J.S. Tait)
9/7/51 Port wheel ran into walkway after acft caught wire (Sub Lt P.J. Medcalf)
20/7/51 RNARY Fleetlands for reconditioning
29/5/52 AHU Abbotsinch
6/52 Shipped to Far East
22/7/52 AHU Sembawang
13/8/52 HMS UNICORN
11/9/52 ARS Iwakuni
10/12/52 821 Sqn HMS GLORY
22/1/53 Hook failed to lower, forced ldg Paengyong-do beach about 2 hrs after high tide, swung across beach into 9 in of water and tipped on nose (Cd Pilot M. Kent)
22/1/53 ARS Iwakuni for repair

 

RAN History1/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (239/K)
8/4/53 HMS UNICORN
23/4/53 AHU Sembawang
2/11/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY

RN History18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
23/6/55 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
12/8/55 AHU Abbotsinch
11/1/58 Scrapped

VT489 FR.5 F.8373 RN History
12/10/48 – 7/49 RDU Culham
1/50-7/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
? 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY
26/9/50 High approach to pitching deck, bounced at No.7 wire and entered Nos 2 & 3 barriers ((Lt W.E. Dunlop, RAN)
26/10/50 SOC
By 2/61 Remains were in International Alloys Ltd scrapyard near Aylebury

VT492 FR.5 F.8376 RN History
15/10/48 RDU Culham
11/2/49 AHU Stretton
7/49 RDU Culham
By 1/50-7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
1/51 RDU Anthorn
26/9/51 Fairey, Ringway
31/10/51 AHU Abbotsinch
1/52 Fairey, Ringway
8/2/52 RDU Anthorn
5/552-12/52 821 Sqn
7/53 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
5/11/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY
31/1/54 Landed heavily on stbd oleo (Lt L.R. Corich)

RN History
5/6/54 To UK in HMS PERSEUS
12/7/54 Arr UK
21/12/54 SOC

VT497 FR5/U.9 F.8381 RN History
21/10/48 – 7/49 Delivered RDU Culham
1/50 AHU Abbotsinch
30/7/51 Arr AHU Sembawang after being shipped to Far East

 

RAN History
1/52-2/52 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
2/52 812 Sqn
6/52 To UK in HMS THESEUS
7/52 RDU Anthorn
10/52 – 7/53 RNAMY Belfast
1/54 RDU Anthorn
29/9/55 To permanent C(A) charge
26/3/56 Fairy, Hamble for reconditioning
27/11/56 Fairey, Ringway for conversion to U.9
15/10/57 First flight as U.9
14/1/58 AHU Stretton
27/1/58 Fairey, Ringway for mods
3/2/58 AHU Stretton
1/58? 728B Sqn Hal Far (591)
4/8/58 Missed wire, ground looped and caught fire, Hal Far, after guided flight
10/12/58 SOC

VT500 AS5/AS.6 F8384 RN History
28/10/48 RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (201/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to Nowra for storage.
9/2/50 816 Sqn East Sale
3/5/50 Fairey, Clyde, Bankstown
5/7/50 816 Squadron
15/2/51 Damaged during work up HMAS SYDNEY
9/7/51 817 Sqn (201/K)13/8/51 Late flare after slightly fast approach caught No 10 wire and entered No 2 barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Lt W.E. Dunlop, RAN)
24/8/51 Fairey Clyde Bankstown for repair and conversion to AS.6
21/11/52 Nowra
5/1/53 816 Sqn (238/K)
13/7/53 Acft damaged
12/8/53 Schofields for repair and storage
15/3/54 Awaiting disposal
9/12/55 Reduced to Spares and Produce

Note:  also reported as carrying 202/K at some stage and with 851 Squadron in 1956 then Reduced to Spares and Produce by 9/12/59

VT501 AS.5/AS.6 F.8385 RN History
29/10/48 RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (202/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to Nowra for storage.
9/2/50 816 Sqn East Sale
21/4/50 Fairey, Clyde, Bankstown
18/5/50 816 Sqn, Nowra
10/10/50 Tail damage when VX375 taxied into VX501
4/7/51 817 Sqn
17/8/51 Nowra overhaul and storage
2/9/52 Fairey Bankstown for repair and conversion to AS.6
19/1/54 Nowra for preparation for service
10/2/54 817 Sqn
30/3/54 Damaged HMAS VENGEANCE
24/3/55 Hook caught wire and tail oleo collapsed, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr J.D. Goble RAN)
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
/56 – /57 851 Sqn
6/3/59 Sold for scrap by the Department of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

VT502 AS.5/T.5 F.8386 RN History
28/10/48 RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (203/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra.
8/7/49 816 Sqn
17/1/50 Tail oleo damaged on round down while ldg HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr D. Buchanan RAN)
28/4/50 Fairey Clyde Bankstown
5/7/50 Nowra for mods and prep for service
29/1/51 816 Sqn Nowra
16/7/51 817 Sqn Nowra (202/K)
16/8/51 Nowra
RN History
10/11/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn HMS GLORY (204/K)

RAN History
3/3/52 Nowra
24/11/52 Fairey Bankstown for repair (and conversion to AS.6?)
30/3/53 816 Sqn (227/K?)
15/4/53 Damaged
17/9/53 Nowra
16/10/53 Schofields for repair
23/9/54 Fairey Bankstown for conversion to Mk 5 T.2
30/11/55 Nowra
16/12/55 724 Sqn Nowra (963/NW)
2/11/56 851 Sqn (277/K?)
21/2/57 Nowra for storage
9/1/58 Awaiting disposal
18/9/58 Sold for scrap by Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney (?)
(Also reported as: 14/6/62 To fire fighting instruction at Nowra)

VT503 AS.5 F.8387 RN History
29/10/48 RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (204/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
10/7/50 816 Sqn (205/K)
8/2/51  Bounced over all wires into No 2 barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Lt J.F. Todman RAN)
7/3/51 Damaged HMAS SYDNEY (Possibly the incident shown in the Photo Gallery)
16/7/51 817 Sqn (203/K)
1/9/51 Air bottle in stbd centre wing exploded HMAS SYDNEY (Lt M.H. Simpson)
29/9/51 HMS Glory for repair
15/1/52 Randwick to Fairey Bankstown for reconditioning and to fit power folding wings
20/3/53 Nowra
1/5/53 723 Sqn Nowra
16/3/54 Nowra for servicing
14/7/54 Fairey Bankstown for repair
4/2/55 Nowra
15/2/55 817 Sqn
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
1/12/55 851 Sqn (265/K)
14/6/56 Damaged when swung off runway on take-off and tipped on nose
21/2/57 Nowra
2/4/57 Damaged
11/4/57 Awaiting disposal
20/2/58 Allocated for fire fighting, Nowra
31/7/58 SOC

VT504 AS.5/AS.6 F.8388 RN History
2/11/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (205/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
3/8/49 Fairey Clyde Bankstown
20/9/49 Nowra
5/1/50 816 Sqn (205/K)
26/4/50 Fairy Clyde Bankstown
4/7/50 816 Sqn
12/12/50 Nowra
15/12/50 Fairey Clyde Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
3/10/51 Nowra

RN History
5/11/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn, HMS GLORY

RAN History
9/1/52 Nowra
16/10/52 Bankstown (Fairey?)
31/12/52 816 Sqn
29/1/53 No 5 wire pulled out, hook released and acft ran into barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr W.G. Herbert RAN)
3/2/53 Fairey Bankstown
28/4/54 Nowra
27/5/54 723 Sqn, Nowra
6/9/54 Nowra
/54 851 Sqn (265/K)
8/2/55 Ship’s Flight HMAS SYDNEY
22/4/55 Nowra
19/5/55 724 Sqn, Nowra (965/NW)
2/11/56 Nowra for storage
22/8/57 Damaged
20/1/58 Sold for scrap via Dept of Supply to Albert G Sims Ltd, Newtown
(Also reported to have been with 820 Squadron embarked in HMS THESEUS as 227/T and later with 812 Squadron before being sold to the RAN but this seems unlikely.)

VX371 FR.5 F.8403 RN History
2/11/48 Delivered RDU Culham
13/12/48 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (206/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
29/11/49 Bankstown (Fairey Clyde?) for ASH trials
19/12/49 Wheels up landing during trials (Lt Cdr R.L. Davies RAN)
6/1/50 Fairey Clyde Bankstown for repair
8/9/50 RDU Nowra
13/9/50 816 Sqn
5/2/51 Propeller struck the wing of VX385
16/2/51 Crashed into the sea while attempting to land on board HMAS SYDNEY (Pilot, Lt R.E. Smith RAN killed, Petty Officer Observer 2 Keith Bunning, RAN rescued)
2/8/51 SOC.

VX372 AS.5/AS.6 F.8404 RN History
8/11/48 Delivered RDU Culham
12/48 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (207/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
10/1/50 816 Sqn for ASH trials
27/4/50 Fairey Clyde Bankstown (for AS.6 conversion?)
29/5/50 Nowra
22/11/50 816 Sqn
10/7/51 817 Sqn (207/K)
12/9/51 Propeller pecked deck during landing HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt C.E. Champ RAN)

RN History
29/9/51 HMS GLORY (812 Sqn?)

RAN History
5/12/51 Fairey Bankstown to Nowra for storage
27/8/52 Bankstown (Fairey?)
8/10/53 Nowra
8/4/54 Fairey Bankstown for repair
1/6/54 Nowra for storage
3/8/54 (to at least 9/55) 851 Sqn (263/K)
/55 724 Sqn, Nowra (962/NW)
21/2/57 Nowra for storage
9/1/58 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney

VX373 AS.5/T.5 F.8405 RN History
2/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
12/48 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (208/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
1
4/10/49 816 Sqn (208/K, 233/K)
14/11/50 Nowra
23/2/51 816 Sqn
24/2/51 Struck round down and bounced into barriers, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt C.E. Champ RAN)
9/4/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for reconditioning and conversion to Mk 5 T.2 (T.5)prototype
30/7/53 Nowra but allocated to RAAF for testing at ARDU
5/8/53 ARDU for testing
10/11/53 723 Sqn Nowra (probably arrived 11/11/53)
1/12/53 Fairey, Bankstown
15/1/54 723 Sqn, Nowra (916/NW)
12/1/55 Precautionary ldg after engine overspeed and surge during take-off (Lt P.T. Cabban, RAN)
28/1/55 Returned to base with pilot suffering CO2 poisoning (Lt M.T. Streeter, RAN)
21/2/55 Swung off runway and undercarriage broke off when entering broken ground ((Sub Lt L.M. Anderson RAN)
25/2/55 Nowra
22/3/55 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
18/8/55 Nowra
24/8/55 724 Sqn, Nowra (962/NW)
2/11/56 851 Sqn, Nowra (263/-)
21/2/57 (sic) Nowra for storage (but appears to have remained with 851 Sqn)
26/6/57 Port oleo collapsed on landing
? 724 Sqn
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney
(Notes: 1. There is an alternative history that suggests allocation to 851 Sqn as 276/K then to 724 Sqn as 916/NW but no dates given..

2. The RAAF Record Card for the ARDU attachment gives a serial of FX373 rather than VX373.  No details of the tests are given but it can be assumed that this followed the conversion to T.5 prototype).

VX374 AS.5/AS.6 F8406 RN History
2/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (209/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
30/7/49 816 Sqn (213/K)
5/12/49 Undercarriage retracted before airborne and acft settled onto runway, propeller and flaps damaged beyond repair
4/3/50 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown
30/8/50 Nowra for storage
21/2/51 816 Sqn
4/7/51 817 Sqn
1/9/51 Damaged

RN History
29/9/51 HMS Glory (812 Sqn?)

RAN History
17/1/52 Randwick to Fairey, Bankstown for repair and conversion to AS.6
30/1/53 Nowra
25/3/53 816 Sqn (233/K)
28/7/53 Caught wire but prop pecked deck HMAS SYDNEY (Lt M.T. Streeter RAN)
12/10/53 Nowra
30/11/53 Fairey, Bankstown
24/2/54 Nowra
11/6/54 817 Sqn (209/K)
11/10/54 Tail went into catwalk while acft being towed, HMAS SYDNEY
13/1/55 Fireproof bulkhead damaged while new engine was being fitted
15/1/55 Wheels-up precautionary ldg on Callala Beach,
21/1/55 Nowra
25/5/55 724 Sqn, Nowra
24/8/55 Damaged
24/1/56 Nowra for storage
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T.Carr & Co, Sydney

VX375 AS.5/
AS.6/
T.5
F.8407 RN History
6/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
21/1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (210/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
23/1/50 816 Sqn (210/K).
5/5/50 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown
3/6/50 816 Sqn
10/10/50 Taxied into the tail of Firefly VT501.
25/1/51 Nowra
23/2/51 816 Sqn
23/5/51 Overran the end of runway and tipped on its nose at Nowra (Lt M.T Streeter RAN)
18/7/51 817 Sqn (210/K)
14/8/51 Caught No 7 wire, slewed to stbd and wing struck crane HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr M.W. Wotherspoon)
29/9/51 Transferred to HMS GLORY
22/10/51 Disembarked
18/1/52 Damaged
13/3/52 Disembarked HMAS Sydney and transferred via Rydalmere to Fairey, Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
10/6/53 Nowra
27/6/53 816 Sqn. Entered barrier HMAS SYDNEY
12/10/53 Nowra
9/11/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
9/2/54 Nowra
1/3/54 Damaged
4/2/55 817 Sqn
9/2/55 Heavy ldg, tail oleo collapsed HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt G.J. King RAN & Sub Lt R.B. Boughton)
15/2/55 Nowra
29/9/55 Damaged
23/11/55 Fairey, Bankstown for conversion to T.5
17/1/57 Nowra
24/1/57 851 Sqn (918/NW)
14/8/57 Damaged
9/1/58 Nowra awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

VX376 AS.5/TT.5 F.8408 RN History
2/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (211/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
28/4/50 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown
6/3/51 Nowra
12/6/51 816 Sqn (211/K)
4/7/51 817 Sqn
6/9/51 Fast ldg, broke tail oleo and prop pecked deck, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt M.H. Simpson)

RN History
29/9/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn HMS GLORY
22/10/51 Disembarked
17/12/51 Damaged

RAN History
3/3/52 Nowra
9/4/53 816 Sqn (280/K?)
1/5/53 Nowra
/53 816 Sqn
17/9/53 Fairey, Bankstown for conversion to TT.5
14/10/54 Nowra
9/11/54 723 Sqn
29/02/56 (our picture below) Pilot: S/Lt Mike Thorne, Observer: Lt Jones, Duty: Townsville to Cairns & target towing for the 1st Frigate Squadron, Flight duration: 2hrs 25 mins.
2/11/56 851 Sqn
21/2/57 Nowra
6/3/58 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

VX377 AS.5/AS.6 F.8409 RN History
6/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (212/K)7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
? 816 Sqn (212/K)20/10/49 Port undercarriage collapsed on ldg and acft ran into port catwalk HMAS SYDNEY (Lt R.L. Eveleigh)
11/11/49 Nowra
13/12/49 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for repair
9/5/50 Stbd wing written off as a result of a light aircraft crash
11/8/50 Nowra in reserve
10/10/50 816 Sqn
24/1/51 Heavy ldg HMAS SYDNEY
8/2/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for repair, reconditioning and conversion to AS.6
22/12/51 Nowra
22/9/52 Damaged (Presumably the heavy ldg shown in the photo gallery. Note that the aircraft only seems to carry the ‘K’ tail code and no number at this time)
28/9/52 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
? Port nacelle tank detached in flight and fell into Sydney suburb of Revesby (Lt C.E. Champ RAN)
21/8/53 Nowra
9/11/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
5/2/54 Nowra
19/5/54 817 Sqn (212/K)
13/9/54 Caught No 10 wire and entered barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt D.J. Orr, RAN & Sub Lt W.T. Mulholland RAN)
29/9/54 Schofields
14/2/55 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
30/8/55 Nowra for storage
14/11/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney

Note:  This acft was reported to have been with 723 Sqn in 1951 when damaged while landing in strong and gusty winds and overweight and ran off the runway.  However 723 Sqn was not commissioned until 1952 so either the date or the unit or aircraft identity are in error!

VX378 AS5 F8410 RN History
6/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham

 

RAN History
By 2/49 816 Sqn Eglinton (218/JR)
? AHU Abbotsinch
7/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (213/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for 816 Sqn.
19/8/49 Struck from behind in deck park by VX387.  Fin and rudder badly damaged, HMAS SYDNEY.
3/3/50 Stbd undercarriage collapsed while ldg HMAS SYDNEY
4/4/50 Nowra
21/4/50 Fairy Clyde, Bankstown for repair
2/11/50 Nowra FIR
25/1/51 816 Sqn
8/2/51 Landed HMAS Sydney with hook up and ran into barrier.
21/6/51 Damaged
10/7/51 817 Sqn

RN History
29/9/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn HMS GLORY
22/10/51 Disembarked

RAN History
3/3/52 HMAS SYDNEY to Nowra
27/11/52 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
31/3/53 Nowra
5/6/53 816 Sqn (230/K)
29/6/53 Nowra
21/10/53 Schofields for storage
26/7/54 Awaiting disposal
25/10/56 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Albert G. Simms Ltd, Newtown NSW.

VX379 AS.5 F.8411 RN History
6/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
12/1/49 ASH pod and aerial disintegrated during climb (Lt Cdr R.H. Kilburn)
? AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (214/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for 816 Sqn.
7/10/49 Caught late wire and struck island with stbd wing tip HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr P Brougham)
14/1/50 Nowra
10/2/50 Awaiting disposal
13/9/50 Reduced to Spares and Produce
15/5/51 SOC.

VX380 AS.5/AS.6 F.8412 RN History
10/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
28/1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (215/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
1/6/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra
20/3/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown by road for conversion to AS.6
20/10/51 Nowra

RN History
8/11/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn HMS GLORY

RAN History9/1/52 Nowra
24/7/52 817 Sqn (201/Q, 201/K)
3/2/53 Fairey, Bankstown
16/2/53 817 Sqn
30/7/53 Damaged
12/1/54 817 Sqn
18/1/54 Heavy ldg on stbd mainwheel and tail oleo collapsed, HMAS VENGEANCE (Lt A.W. Haywood)
2/6/54 Nowra
25/6/54 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
17/10/55 724 Sqn, Nowra
25/10/56 Nowra for storage
8/8/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney

VX381 AS.5/AS.6 F.8413 RN History
6/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
21/1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (216/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
20/3/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown by road for conversion to AS.6
30/10/51 Nowra
12/5/52 817 Sqn (206/K, 206/Q)
1/6/54 Nowra for storage
24/3/55 Fairey, Bankstown for reconditioning
4/10/56 851 Sqn
27/11/56 Mid-air collision over Jervis Bay with WD887 and ditched in Hare Bay (Sub Lt D Eagles, RN & Mid D Debus RAN rescued)
/82 The wreckage of this aircraft was discovered by a scuba diver in Hare Bay at a depth of about 13 metres and found to be reasonably intact.  It is now a popular dive site.

VX382 AS.5 F.8414 RN History
6/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
21/1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (217/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for 816 Sqn.
6/9/49 Damaged
3/3/50 Hook rebounded up and acft entered barrier HMAS SYDNEY (some reports say 4/3/50)
4/4/50 Nowra awaiting disposal
13/9/50 Reduced to Spares and Produce
15/5/51 SOC.

VX383 AS.5 F.8415 RN History
9/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (218/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for 816 Sqn.
18/1/51 816 Sqn
27/2/51 Stbd wheel ran into safety net, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt M.T. Streeter RAN)
19/3/51 Heavy landing and broke stbd oleo, HMAS SYDNEY
21/6/51 Damaged
4/7/51 817 Sqn
8/8/51 Flared high on ldg and caught No 10 wire before running into barrier HMAS SYDNEY
17/8/51 Nowra
5/10/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
6/11/52 817 Sqn
31/3/53 Heavy ldg HMAS SYDNEY
8/6/53 Wing damaged on ldg RNAS Gosport
30/7/53 Heavy ldg HMAS SYDNEY
30/12/53 Hit building while turning off runway at Nowra
30/12/53 Nowra for repair
26/1/54 Schofields for storage
15/3/54 Awaiting disposal
17/11/55 Reduced to Spares and Produce

VX384 AS.5/AS.6 F.8416 RN History
9/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (219/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for 816 Sqn.
22/7/49 Damaged, HMAS SYDNEY
16/1/50 Slid into port catwalk on ldg HMAS SYDNEY (Lt G. McPhee)
18/1/50 Nowra
5/10/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
28/4/52 Nowra
9/5/52 723 Sqn
1/9/52 Fairey, Bankstown
7/11/52 Nowra
3/2/53 Laverton for trials
4/3/53 Nowra
7/4/53 816 Sqn
18/9/53 Nowra
25/8/54 Fairey, Bankstown
5/4/55 Nowra for storage
31/5/55 724 Sqn
1/3/56 Damaged
7/3/56 Nowra awaiting disposal
19/3/56 Schofields awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold through Dept of Supply for scrap to FitzGibbon & Garthon

Note: Also reported with 723 Sqn in 1956

VX385 AS.5/AS.6 F.8417 RN History
9/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (220/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for 816 Sqn.
2/7/49 Damaged HMAS SYDNEY
5/7/49 Nowra for repair
28/9/49 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown
31/3/50 Nowra for ASH trials then in reserve
8/8/50 Nowra for overhaul
15/11/50 816 Sqn
5/2/51 Wing struck by propeller of VX371
9/7/51 817 Sqn
16/8/51 Nowra
6/9/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
1/4/52 Nowra
21/4/51 817 Sqn (205/K)
16/9/52 Bounced on ldg and engaged wire while airborne then pecked prop, HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt D.M. Kimber)
5/12/52 Fairey, Bankstown for mods
31/12/52 817 Sqn (205/K)
17/7/53 Tail hit round down, knocked hook up and acft entered barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt D.M. Kimber)
25/8/53 Schofields for repair
15/3/54 Awaiting disposal
29/7/54 Approved for reduction to Spares and Produce

Note: Also reported as being converted to T.5 but this is unlikely as only four acft are believed to have been converted and this would have been a fifth.

VX386 AS.5/AS.6 F.8418 RN History
9/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (221/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage.
? 816 Sqn (221/K)
5/4/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown by road for conversion to AS.6
27/11/51 Nowra
2/8/52 817 Sqn (204/K)
6/4/53 Damaged
31/7/53 Tail wheel damaged on ldg
25/9/53 Propeller pecked deck on ldg HMAS VENGEANCE
7/6/54 Nowra for storage
16/3/55 Fairey, Bankstown for reconditioning
20/4/56 Nowra
14/5/56 723 Sqn (912/NW)
25/10/56 851 Sqn
9/1/58 Nowra for storage
9/5/58 Awaiting disposal
24/7/58 Rydalmere
13/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Albert G. Sims Ltd, Newtown
8/7/59 SOC

VX387 AS.5 F.8419 RN History
9/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (222/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage
7/49 816 Sqn
19/8/49 Taxied into VX378 after ldg HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr P.D. Lowndes)
13/10/49 Propeller pecked deck when ldg HMAS SYDNEY (Lt R.E. Bourke, RAN)
2/50 Nowra
? 817 Sqn
6/4/53 Tail oleo collapsed, acft pitched forward and propeller hit deck, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr D. Buchanan RAN)
19/3/56 Schofields awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbons and Garthon.

VX388 AS.5/AS.6/

 

TT.5

F.8420 RN History
9/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (223/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for storage
6/49 816 Sqn (223/K)
10/49 Nowra
? Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
4/53 816 Sqn
? 817 Sqn (207/Q)
24/6/53 Stbd undercarriage collapsed , wing tip and flap struck deck, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr D.T. Wilkins)
? Converted to TT.5 by Brain & Brown Ltd, Avalon, Vic
11.56 851 Sqn (275/NW)
17/7/57 Damaged when it left the runway while taxying at night
8/57 Nowra
3/58 Long term storage Nowra

Later History
8/7/66 Sold to Historic Aircraft Preservation Society, Surrey, England but not delivered
? Sold to Harold Thomas, Camden Airport for $502.00
Currently located at the Camden Museum of Aviation 
This is a privately owned collection and is not open to the public.

VX389 AS.5/AS.6 F.8421 RN History
9/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (224/K)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for 816 Sqn.
4/4/50 RDU Nowra
8/11/50 816 Sqn
25/1/51 During DLT, heavy ldg and bounced into Nos 2 & 3 barriers HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt M.T. Streeter RAN)
29/1/51 Nowra for repair
15/2/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
? Written off and transferred to Electrical School, Flinders Naval Depot, Crib Point, VIC, as GI airframe ‘INS834’.
17/11/54 Schofields awaiting disposal
13/2/56 Reduced to Spares and Produce

VX390 AS.5 F.8422 RN History
9/12/48 Delivered RDU Culham
1/49 AHU Abbotsinch and embalmed

 

RAN History
4/4/49 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY. (225/K?)
7/4/49 Officially transferred to RAN charge
31/5/49 Landed at Jervis Bay and towed by road to RANAS Nowra for 816 Sqn.
5/9/49 Prop pecked deck on ldg HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr P.D. Lowndes)
7/11/49 Damaged
11/11/49 Nowra for repair
6/12/49 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown
10/2/50 Nowra for Front Line Reserve
10/5/50 Classified as Ground Instructional acft
29/1/53 Fairey, Bankstown for reconditioning for squadron service.
25/5/54 Nowra for storage
3/8/54 851 Sqn (262/NW)
15/6/55 Damaged
20/2/57 Damaged
21/2/57 Nowra
7/3/57 Awaiting disposal
20/1/58 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Albert G. Sims Ltd, Newtown

VX420 FR.5 F.8436 RN History
17/2/49 To Controller of Supplies (Air) charge at White Waltham for installations and trials
24/5/49 703 Sqn (as NF.5)
14/9/49 Fairey, White Waltham  to fit long stroke undercarriage for deck trials
28/9/49 RAE Farnborough for arrester proofing
14/10/49 703 Sqn Lee-on-Solent
7/11/49 Fairey, White Waltham for inspection after deck trials
? 703 Sqn, Lee-on-Solent then HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
20/2/50 Bounced badly on ldg and pecked prop HMS ILLUSTRIOUS (Lt Cdr D.F. Battison)
19/4/50 To Ford with 703 Sqn
15/11/50 Heavy ldg HMS INDOMITABLE (Lt D.A. Hook, RNR)
1/51 Gosport
7/51 Fairey
11/51 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR)
1/52 AHU Sembawang
5/52 – 6/52 825 Sqn, HMS OCEAN
7/52 HMS UNICORN
25/7/52 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
28/8/52 RNARY Fleetlands
2/53 810 Sqn
18/5/53 RNARY Fleetlands reconditioning completed
19/5/553 AHU Abbotsinch
15/6/53 Fully embalmed
20/8/53 Shipped to Far East
25/9/53 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
2/11/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (237/K)
20/2/54 Tailwheel shimmy when landing Iwakuni (Lt D.T. Wilkins)

RN History
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
23/6/55 Returned to UK in HMS VENGEANCE
6/8/55 Gosport
16/11/55 To GI Class II as A2394
7/57 Dumped on its belly at Lee-on-Solent (still marked as 231/K)
29/1/59 Culdrose by road.

WB243 FR.5 F.8469 RN History
2/4/49 Delivered RDU Culham
7/49 AHU Abbotsinch
29/9/49 Hal Far
23/5/50 Tested AHU Hal Far
7/50 – 4/51 812 Sqn
7/51 AHU Sembawang
1/52 ARS Iwakuni
7/52 AHU Sembawang
1/9/52 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
? RNAY Fleetlands for reconditioning
11/5/53 AHU Abbotsinch
20/8/53 Shipped to Far East
25/9/53 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
2/11/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (236/K)

RN History
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
12/8/55 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
1/56 AHU Abbotsinch
13/1/58 Sold for scrap

WB271 FR.5/TT.5 F.8497 RN History
1/6/49 Delivered RDU Culham
2/7/49 – 4/49 814 Sqn Culdrose (214)
7/50 – 1/51 Fairey Aviation
7/51 RDU Anthorn
23/11/51 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
1/52 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
1/3/52 To RAN in HMAS SYDNEY
4/53 816 Sqn (242/K)
? Conv to TT.5 by Brain & Brown Ltd, Avalon, Vic
3/55 723 Sqn Nowra
? 851 Sqn Nowra (264/K)
? 725 Sqn Nowra (889/NW)3/62- 9/62 723 Sqn Nowra
? Bankstown awaiting disposal

Later History
8/7/66 Sold to Lt Cdr M. Apps RN of 826 Sqn and loaded aboard HMS VICTORIOUS in Sydney
9/12/66 Lightered ashore from HMS VICTORIOUS and taken by road to Sembawang where it was finished in 812 Sqn RN colours as 204/K and 204/R with different carrier codes on each side of the fin
4/5/67 To UK in HMS VICTORIOUS
23/6/67 Lightered to RNAY Fleetlands
28/6/67 MARTSU Lee-on-Solent by road
19/7/67 To RN FAA Museum, Yeovilton by road
27/9/72 Heron Flt/RN Historic Flt, Yeovilton. First flight after restoration
By 12/12/79 MU Kemble for refinish
By 6/80 RN Historic Flt, Yeovilton
5/9/95 While taxying for take-off, collided with stationary van on perimeter track, Yeovilton. (Both van occupants inj)
24/4/97 Repaired and reconditioned at BAe Dunsfold
? RN Historic Flt, Yeovilton by road.  Flown 14/5/02
12/7/03 Crashed into wheat field 1 m SE of Duxford airfield during solo display (Lt Cdr W.M. Murton and Mr N. Rix both killed)
18/7/03 Wreckage to AHU Yeovilton by road

Note: The code carried after purchase suggests that the acft may have been flown by 812 Squadron, HMS GLORY before being passed by the Royal Navy to the Royal Australian Navy but no supporting evidence traced at this stage.

WB284 FR.5 F.8502 RN History
20/6/49 Delivered RDU Culham
11/10/49 AHU Abbotsinch
15/7/50 AHU Hal Far
12/50 810 Sqn (240/T)
9/5/51 Lee-on-Solent
29/5/51 RNAMY Belfast
22/10/52 RDU Anthorn
? Shipped to the Far East
9/1/53 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
12/53-5/54 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (235/K)
20/12/53 Taxied into WB303 forward of barrier

RN History
7/54 AHU Sembawang
16/10/54 To UK in HMS WARRIOR
14/12/54 Arr in UK
28/1/55 SOC
18/11/55 Sold for scrap to D. Bond & Co

WB292 FR.5/AS.6 F.8510 RN History
1/7/49 Delivered RDU Culham
19/8/49 To RAF Sealand

 

RAN History
20/8/49 Taken on RAN charge
24/10/49 Shipped to Australia in SS SUSSEX
24/3/50 Nowra
12/5/50 816 Sqn
1/6/50 Damaged when taxied into soft ground and became bogged
2/6/50 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for repair
7/7/50 816 Sqn Nowra
18/12/50 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
12/7/51 Nowra
15/5/52 817 Sqn
18/8/52 Damaged while ldg  HMAS SYDNEY
5/12/52 Fairey, Bankstown for modifications
5/1/53 817 Sqn
12/1/53 Failed to flare, bounced, caught wire but prop pecked deck, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt R.J. Gilderson)
3/2/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
26/10/53 Nowra
15/4/54 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
15/6/54 Nowra
3/8/54 851 Sqn
22/6/55 Nowra for storage
19/7/57 Damaged
19/12/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney

WB301 FR.5 F.8519 RAN History
1/52 HMAS SYDNEY from AHU Sembawang and delivered to HMS UNICORN as training aircraft by, at latest, 19/2//52 as it suffered an accident on HMAS UNICORN on that date.  Probably a ferry trip only as HMS UNICORN was the maintenance and training carrier off Korea.
WB303 FR.5 F.8521 RN History
22/7/49 Delivered RDU Culham
1/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/50 817 Sqn St Merryn

RN History
9/50 Lossiemouth
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
? Shipped to Far East in HMS WARRIOR
30/7/51 AHU Sembawang
1/52-2/52 ARS Iwakuni
7/52 825 Sqn HMS OCEAN
11/11/52 AHU Sembawang
30/7/53 AHU Sembawang

RAN History
11/53 Loan to 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (211/K)
20/12/53 Taxied into by WB284 whilst being parked forward of barrier, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt L.R. Corich)
24/12/53 ARS Iwakuni
20/5/54 AHU Sembawang
27/5/54 Transferred to RAN in HMAS SYDNEY
16/6/54 Schofields awaiting disposal
6/2/56 Reduced to Spares and Produce

Note: Alternative history has this aircraft embarked in HMAS SYDNEY at Singapore on 11/2/52 then landed in Australia with 817 Squadron as 211/K.

WB306 FR.5/TT.5 F.8524 RN History
15/8/49 Delivered RDU Culham
1/50-7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
? Shipped to Far East
18/9/50 – 4/51 AHU/Ops Pool Sembawang
15/1/51 Bounced during DL trials and prop pecked deck, HMS UNICORN (Lt S.W. Salway)

 

RAN History
11/2/52 Embarked HMAS SYDNEY
1/3/52 Transferred to RAN in HMAS SYDNEY (possibly 817 Sqn as 204/K)
5/53 816 Sqn (279/K)
? Converted to TT.5
1/55-4/55 723 Sqn Nowra
7/10/55 Stbd undercarriage would not lower so landed on one mainwheel and tailwheel.
6/57-7/57 Nowra
? 851 Sqn
25/9/57 Wheels up landing
15/5/58 SOC for fire fighting training, Nowra

WB313 FR.5 F.8531 RN History
31/8/49 Delivered RDU Culham
9/49 810 Sqn St Merryn
19/4/50 During Deck Landing Practice, tail oleo failed on ldg and fuselage frames damaged HMS THESEUS (Lt Cdr G.R. Coy)
7/50 Fairey ,Stockport/Ringway for repair
24/1/51 RDU Anthorn
? Shipped to Far East
30/7/51 AHU Sembawang
1/52 ARS Iwakuni
6/52 to UK in HMS THESEUS
7/52 RDU Anthorn
? RNAY Fleetlands for reconditioning
9/6/53 AHU Abbotsinch
2/7/53 To long-term storage
20/8/53 Shipped to Far East
25/9/53 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
2/11/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (233/K)
5/2/54 heavy landing

RN History
18/5/54 Sembawang
23/6/55 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
6/8/55 School of Acft Handling Gosport
16/11/55 Written off for Ground Instruction at Gosport as A2392
8.57 At Lee-on-Solent

WB316 FR.5 F.8534 RN History
8/9/49 Delivered RDU Culham
3/11/49 AHU Abbotsinch
22/8/50 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
15/9/50 AHU Sembawang
10/50 -1/51 810 Sqn HMS THESEUS
15/10/50 Con rod broke in flt – made successful deck ldg on HMS THESEUS (Plt 3 R.C. Grant)
7/51 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
1/52 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
7/52 AHU Sembawang
25/7/52 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
28/8/52 RNARY Fleetlands
7/53 AHU Abbotsinch
/ Shipped to Far East
25/9/53 AHU Sembawang

RAN History
/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY
6/11/53 Ditched after engine cut on catapult HMAS SYDNEY (Lt L.R. Corich + 1 rescued uninjured by destroyer’s whaler)
21/1/54 SOC

WB330 FR.5 F.8535 RN History
15/9/49 Delivered RDU Culham
1/50 AHU Abbotsinch
15/7/50 AHU Hal Far
8/50 810 Sqn HMS THESEUS (238/T)
11/9/50 Caught late wire on pitching deck and touched barrier, HMS THESEUS (Lt Cdr G.R. Coy & Acmn 1 S. Ball)
29/5/51 AHU Abbotsinch (via Lee-on-Solent)
19/6/52 Shipped to Far East
22/7/52 AHU Sembawang
13/8/52 HMS UNICORN
13/10/52 ARS Iwakuni
13/1/53 HMS GLORY
16/1/53 821 Sqn HMS GLORY
30/3/53 HMS UNICORN
23/4/53 AHU Sembawang
16/7/53 HMS UNICORN
31/8/53 ARS Iwakuni

 

RAN History
23/12/53 816 Sqn

RN History
18/8/54 AHU Sembawang
25/10/54 To UK in HMS GLORY
9/12/54 RNAY Fleetlands
7/9/55 Reduced to Spares and Produce

WB335 FR.5 F.8540 RN History
23/9/49 Delivered RDU Culham
1/50 – 7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
1/51 719 Sqn Eglinton
7/51 – 8/51 812 Sqn HMS GLORY
12/51 To UK in HMS WARRIOR
4/52 Fairey, Hamble for reconditioning
20/8/52 RDU Anthorn
12/9/52 AHU Abbotsinch
8/12/52 Shipped to Far East
8/1/53 AHU Sembawang
8/3/53 HMS UNICORN
8/4/53 ARS Iwakuni
4/9/53 810 Sqn HMS OCEAN (234/O)
23/10/53 ARS Iwakuni

 

RAN History
? 816 Sqn HMS SYDNEY (234/K)

RN History
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
23/6/55 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
1/56 AHU Abbotsinch (as 234)
13/1/58 Sold for scrap

WB337 FR.5 F.8542 RN History
28/9/49 Delivered RDU Culham
18/11/49 814 Sqn
15/5/50 Caught No 10 wire and entered No 1 barrier HMS VENGEANCE (Lt A.J. Standbridge)
14/2/51 RDU Anthorn
21/7/51 810 Sqn
28/8/51 719 Sqn Eglinton
13/6/52 AHU Abbotsinch
? Shipped to Far East
22/7/52 AHU Sembawang
4/11/52 HMS UNICORN
3/12/52 ARS Iwakuni
1/5/53 821 Sqn HMS GLORY
15/5/53 ARS Iwakuni
19/6/53 810 Sqn HMS OCEAN

 

RAN History
11/11/53 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (205/K)
21/2/54 Floated, caught No 10 wire and entered barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Lt B.F. Matthews, RAN)

RN History
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
23/6/55 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
12/8/55 AHU Abbotsinch
13/1/58 Sold for scrap (Total Flying Hours 546.15)

WB338 FR.5 F.8543 RN History
28/9/49 Delivered RDU Culham

 

RAN History
15/3/49 To Australia in SS STENTOR
3/5/49 Arrived Sydney
11/5/49 Nowra
30/8/49 816 Sqn
19/12/50 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown
22/8/51 Nowra
19/10/51 816 Sqn (237/K)
14/6/52 Caught wire, braked and prop pecked deck HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt M.T. Streeter RAN)
19/8/52 Prop pecked deck HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr W.G. Herbert RAN)
2/9/52 Struck by WD840 that had gone through the barriers, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr W.G. Herbert RAN)
18/11/52 Fairey, Bankstown for repairs
15/4/53 Approved for reduction to Spares and Produce
2/6/53 At Randwick Naval Stores.

WB339 FR.5 F.8544 RN History
3/10/49 Delivered RDU Culham
22/11/49 AHU Abbotsinch
6/51 Shipped to Far East
30/7/51 AHU Sembawang
/51 810 Sqn

 

RAN History
1/52 HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
7/52 AHU Sembawang
5/7/52 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
28/8/52 RNARY Fleetlands
27/8/53 RDU Anthorn
15/3/54 tested
4/54 – 10/54 1841 Sqn Stretton (281/ST)
27/1/55 SOC
4/57 On Anthorn dump

WB345 FR.5 F.8550 RN History
24/10/49 Delivered RDU Culham
2/12/49 AHU Abbotsinch
29/8/50 814 Sqn (219/Q)
2/10/50 Landed slightly fast, caught No 10 wire and entered No 1 barrier HMS VENGEANCE (Lt K Sinclair)
6/11/50 RNARY Fleetlands for repair
27/3/52 RDU Anthorn
16/6/52 AHU Abbotsinch
19/6/52 Shipped to Far East
22/7/52 AHU Sembawang
8/3/53 HMS UNICORN
8/4/53 ARS Iwakuni
1/8/53 HMS UNICORN
1/9/53 ARS Iwakuni

 

RAN History
16/4/54 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
6/5/54 ARS Iwakuni
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
3/1/57 Reduced to Spares and Produce

WB348 FR.5 F.8553 RN History
21/10/49 Delivered RDU Culham
15/12/49 AHU Abbotsinch
12/10/50 719 Sqn Eglinton
31/10/51 737 Sqn Eglinton
14/6/52 AHU Abbotsinch
19/6/52 Shipped to Far East
22/7/52 AHU Sembawang
7/3/53 HMS UNICORN
8/4/53 ARS Iwakuni
14/7/53 810 Sqn HMS OCEAN
3/10/53 ARS Iwakuni
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
/54 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (232/K)

RN History
6/55 AHU Sembawang
23/6/55 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
12/8/55 AHU Abbotsinch
11/1/58 Sold for scrap (Total flying hours 445.05)

WB349 FR.5 F.8554 RN History
21/10/49 Delivered RDU Culham
18/12/49 AHU Abbotsinch
14/1/51 Shipped to Far East in HMS WARRIOR
9/2/51 AHU Sembawang
2/7/51 HMS UNICORN
11/8/51 812 Sqn (207/R)

 

RAN History
27/9/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY
14/10/51 Damaged on deck in heavy weather, HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
15/10/51 HMS UNICORN
24/10/51 AHU Sembawang
27/11/51 To UK in HMS WARRIOR
28/12/51 Fairy, Hamble for repair
18/9/52 RDU Anthorn
31/3/53 AHU Hal Far
9/2/53 810 Sqn (232/O)
1/5/53 Deck landing accident
5/5/53 AHU Sembawang

RAN History
2/11/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (231/K)

RN History
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
23/6/55 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
6/8/55 School of Aircraft Handling, Gosport
16/11/55 To Ground Instructional duties
18/11/55 SOC (Total flying hours 438.50)

WB351 FR.5 F.8556 RN History
28/10/49 Delivered RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
14/1/51 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
9/2/51 AHU Sembawang
6/51-9/51 812 Sqn

 

RAN History
12/51-1/52 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (202/K)

RN History
/52 812 Sqn
27/2/52 Tail wheel struck round down, prop hit deck, HMS GLORY (Cd Pilot M.H.C. Purnell)
6/52 Returned to UK in HMS THESEUS
10/2/53 AHU Hal Far
14/4/53 To Far East in HMS OCEAN
7/53 ARS Iwakuni
5/10/53 To UK in HMS PERSEUS
9/11/53 Arr Portsmouth
By 11/7/54 – 10/54 1841 Sqn Stretton (285/ST)
7/55 RDU Anthorn
10/1/58 Sold for scrap to Enfield Rolling Mills

WB354 FR.5 F.8559 RN History
7/11/49 Delivered RDU Culham (to 1/50)
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
14/1/51 Shipped to Far East in HMS WARRIOR
9/2/51 AHU Sembawang
7/51 812 Sqn HMS GLORY
15/8/51 Drifted to stbd on landing and struck island with prop and stbd wing, HMS GLORY (Lt J.S. Tait)

 

RAN History
9/51 – 11/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (208/K)

RN History
By 12/51 812 Sqn HMS GLORY
27/2/52 Fast approach, floated, caught No 10 wire and prop struck barrier (Sub Lt J.M. Wood)
6/52 To UK in HMS THESEUS
7/52 RNARY Fleetlands for reconditioning
10/2/53 AHU Hal Far
3/53 – 7/53 810 Sqn (236/R)
5/10/53 To UK in HMS PERSEUS
9/11/53 Arr Portsmouth
7/1/54 RNARY Fleetlands for reconditioning
26/8/54 RDU Anthorn
12/11/54 737 Sqn Eglinton (208/GN)
22/6/55 RDU Anthorn
10/1/58 Sold for scrap to Enfield Rolling Mills (Total flying hours 573.10)

WB357 FR.5 F.8562 RN History
17/11/49 Delivered RDU Culham
12/1/50 AHU Abbotsinch
14/1/51 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
9/2/51 AHU Sembawang
2/7/51 HMS UNICORN

 

RAN History
13/10/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (209/K)
20/11/51 Hook caught wire while airborne, prop pecked deck, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt M.H. Simpson)
27/11/51 Stbd wing struck S3 gun sponson, acft entered Nos 2 & 3 barriers (Lt Cdr M.W. Wotherspoon)

RN History
30/11/51 ARS Iwakuni
4/4/52 HMS UNICORN
28/4/52 AHU Sembawang
25/7/52 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
28/8/52 RNARY Fleetlands for Cat 4 repairs
21/4/53 RDU Anthorn
6/3/54 1841 Sqn Stretton (288/ST)
30/3/55 RDU Anthorn
10/1/58 Sold for scrap to Enfield Rolling Mills (Total flying hours 264.35)

WB358 FR.5 F.8563 RN History
18/11/49 Delivered RDU Culham
20/1/50 AHU Abbotsinch
14/1/51 Shipped to Far East in HMS WARRIOR
9/2/51 – 7/51 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
23/10/51 via HMS UNICORN to 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY
19/10/51 Bounced, caught No 10 wire and entered barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Lt W.E. Dunlop, RAN)
8/12/51 Developed engine trouble on a mission over Korea but made a safe wheels-up landing at Taechong-do Island where the crew was rescued by an American helicopter and later returned to HMAS SYDNEY. (Lt A.L. Oakley RAN & Lt J.S. Hickson RAN)
1/52 Recategorised Total Loss
1/2/52 SOC

WB368 FR.5 F.8573 RN History
9/12/49 Delivered RDU Culham
4/2/50 Tested
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
/51 Shipped to Far East in HMS WARRIOR
30/7/51 AHU Sembawang
1/52 ARS Iwakuni
7/52 HMS UNICORN
8/52 825 Sqn HMS OCEAN
4/11/52 821 Sqn HMS GLORY
13/1/53 ARS Iwakuni
8/4/53 HMS UNICORN
23/4/53 – 1/54 AHU Sembawang

 

RAN History
by 15/2/54 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
4/54 AHU Sembawang
7/54 825 Sqn HMS WARRIOR
14/12/54 AHU Anthorn
28/1/55 SOC
18/11/55 Sold for scrap to D Bond & Co

WB371 FR.5/AS.6 F.8576 RN History
12/12/49 Delivered RDU Culham
3/50 Allocated to RAN but allocation cancelled
26/5/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Reallocated to RAN , delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50  Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra
21/12/50 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown for conversion to AS.6
14/8/51 Nowra
21/4/52 817 Sqn
22/8/52 Nowra
15/11/52 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
30/1/53 Nowra
18/3/53 817 Sqn  (200/K)
4/4/53 Heavy ldg and port undercarriage collapsed HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr D.C. Buchanan RAN)
25/8/53 Schofields for repair
29/7/54 Approved for reduction to Spares and Produce
7/11/55 Reduced to Spares and Produce

WB377 FR.5 F.8582 RN History
13/1/50 Delivered RDU Culham
22/2/50 810 Sqn St Merryn (237/T)
24/4/50 Directed onto the tail of Sea Fury VX664 HMS THESEUS (Lt D.J.H. Davis)
27/4/50 Floated over wires into barrier, HMS THESEUS (Lt U.P. Swithinbank)
21/8/50 Taxied into by Sea Fury VW234 of 807 Sqn HMS THESEUS.
2/4/51 HMS UNICORN
22/4/51 HMS THESEUS
4/5/51 AHU Sembawang
2/7/51 HMS UNICORN

 

RAN History
28/9/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (201/K)
28/9/51 Rough landing

RN History
15/10/51 HMS UNICORN
26/10/51 AHU Sembawang
27/11/51 To UK in HMS WARRIOR
27/12/51 RNARY Fleetlands (Cat 4 repair)
21/10/52 AHU Abbotsinch
1/12/52 Shipped to Far East
8/1/53 AHU Sembawang
15/7/53 HMS UNICORN
31/7/53 810 Sqn HMS OCEAN (210/O)
23/10/53 ARS Iwakuni
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang (-/BW)
28/1/57 Reduced to Spares and produce (but still in existence at Anthorn 27/7/57).
A Firefly bearing 377’s markings is flying in the United States, but is actually comprised mostly of WB518’s components (see WB518).

WB379 FR.5 F.8584 RN History
13/1/50 Delivered RDU Culham
16/2/50 Tested
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
22/8/50 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
15/9/50 AHU Sembawang
3/51 810 Sqn HMS THESEUS (239/T)
6/51 813 Sqn HMS GLORY

 

RAN History
27/9/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
1/52 HMS UNICORN as Training Acft
27/2/52 Did not flare enough, stbd oleo leg buckled, prop pecked deck at end of first bounce (Sub Lt R. Cox)
7/52 AHU Sembawang
25/7/52 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
28/8/52 RNARY Fleetlands for reconditioning
21/5/53 AHU Abbotsinch (as 222/A)
10/6/53 Fully embalmed
20/8/53 Shipped to Far East
25/9/53 AHU Sembawang

RAN History
2/11/53 816 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (230/K)

RN History
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
23/6/55 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
6/8/55 School of Acft Handling, Gosport as ground instructional airframe
18/11/55 SOC (Total flying hours 503.25)

WB393 FR.5 F.8590 RN History
25/1/50 Delivered RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
22/8/50 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
15/9/50 AHU Sembawang
1/51 810 Sqn HMS THESEUS
7/3/51 Hook hit round down, acft ran into barrier (Cd Pilot R.B. Young, RN & Mid H. Rab RPN)
5/51 -–6/51 812 Sqn
7/51 AHU Sembawang
9/51 HMS UNICORN

 

RAN History
27/9/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY (204/K)
26/10/51 Hit by flak during attack on tunnels NE of Chaeryong, 10 miles S of Seriwon, Korea.  Pilot made a successful forced ldg in field behind enemy lines 3 miles W of target.  RESCAP by Sea Furies and RAAF Meteors. (Lt Neil MacMilland and CPO Phil Hancox rescued by a US Navy HO3S-1 helicopter flown by Aviation Machinist’s Mate, Chief A K Babbitt (USN) with crewman C P Gooding (RAN)).
1/12/51 SOC by HMAS SYDNEY
29/9/53 Authorised for WOC

WB394 FR.5/U.9 F.8591 RN History
6/2/50 Delivered RDU Culham
4/3/50 810 Sqn
20/4/50 Heavy ldg during DLP HMS THESEUS (Plt 3 Jones)
8/5/50 Fairey Stockport/Ringway for reconditioning
9/1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
/51 Shipped to Far East
23/7/51 AHU Sembawang
3/9/51 HMS UNICORN
12/10/51 ARS Iwakuni

 

RAN History
31/10/51 CAG HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
20/12/51 ARS Iwakuni
4/4/52 HMS UNICORN
28/4/52 AHU Sembawang
25/7/52 To UK in HMS VENGEANCE
28/8/52 RNARY Fleetlands
8/9/53 Tested at Gosport
1/54 RDU Anthorn
22/6/55 To permanent Controller of Acft charge
17/10/56 Fairey, Hamble for reconditioning
22/7/57 Fairey, Ringway for conversion to U.9
18/4/58 First flight as U.9
20/8/58 728B Sqn Hal Far
12/10/58 Inadvertent wheels up ldg (Sub Lt A.J. Standbridge)
3/11/58 Shot down off Malta
10/12/58 SOC

WB395 FR.5 F.8592 RN History
6/2/50 Delivered RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
22/8/50 to Far East in HMS WARRIOR
15/9/50 AHU Sembawang
3/51 -4/51 810 Sqn HMS THESEUS
7/51 AHU Sembawang
? HMS GLORY (812 Sqn?)

 

RAN History
22/10/51 HMS GLORY to Nowra flown by CO 812 Sqn
1/52 HMAS SYDNEY

RN History
3/52-7/52 Ships Flt HMS UNICORN
12/3/52 Caught no 2 wire and prop pecked deck HMS UNICORN (Sub Lt J.T. Griffiths)
8/52 – 10/52 825 Sqn HMS OCEAN
11/11/52 AHU Sembawang
7/53 HMS OCEAN
13/7/53 ARS Iwakuni
22/10/53 HMS OCEAN
17/11/53 AHU Sembawang
9/10/54 HMS WARRIOR
15/10/54 825 Sqn (291/J)
14/12/55 RDU Anthorn
10/1/58 Sold for scrap to Enfield Rolling Mills
By /67 On International Alloys Ltd dump near Aylesbury

WB396 FR.5 F.8593 RN History
6/2/50 Delivered RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
22/8/50 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
15/9/50 AHU Sembawang
? 810 Sqn HMS THESEUS (232/T)
7/3/51 Caught last wire and entered barrier HMS THESEUS (Lt J.D. Nunn)
? HMS UNICORN

 

RAN History
By 2/10/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY
14/10/51 Blown over side of HMAS SYDNEY in Typhoon RUTH
29/9/53 Authorised to be written off charge

WB400 FR.5 F.8597 RN History
16/2/50 Delivered RDU Culham
28/3/50 AHU Abbotsinch
22/8/50 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
15/9/50 AHU Sembawang
1/12/50 HMS UNICORN
6/2/51 810 Sqn HMS THESEUS
14/2/51 Struck by stray cannon shell on deck HMS THESEUS
12/3/51 Returned to UK in HMS WARRIOR
13/4/51 Arr Portsmouth
9/4/51 Fairey, Hamble for repair
24/10/51 AHU Abbotsinch
27/10/51 To Far East in HMS WARRIOR
20/11/51 AHU Sembawang
17/1/52 Ship’s Flt HMS UNICORN
1/3/52 Tail came down hard after catching No 1 wire (Sub Lt R Cox)
28/4/52 AHU Sembawang
19/6/52 HMS UNICORN
30/6/52 825 Sqn HMS OCEAN
12/11/52 AHU Sembawang
8/3/53 HMS UNICORN
8/4/53 ARS Iwakuni

 

RAN History
23/12/53 816 Sqn HMS SYDNEY (240/K)

RN History
18/5/55 AHU Sembawang
23/6/55 Returned to UK in HMS VENGEANCE
1/56 AHU Abbotsinch
11/1/58 Sold for scrap  (Total flying hours 338.35)

WB401 FR.5 F.8598 RN History
14/2/50 Delivered RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
22/8/50 To Far east in HMS WARRIOR
15/9/50 – 1/51 AHU Sembawang
6/51 812 Sqn HMS GLORY

 

RAN History
27/9/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY
6/10/51 Hook bounced, caught No 10 wire and entered No 2 barrier (Lt Cdr M.W. Wotherspoon)

RN History
By 2/52 812 Sqn
6/52 To UK in HMS THESEUS
7/52 RDU Anthorn
1/53 RNARY Fleetlands for reconditioning
9/7/53 AHU Abbotsinch
15/8/53 Scottish Air Division, Abbotsinch (251)
13/10/53 RDU Anthorn
17/9/54 Handling Sqn A&AEE Boscombe Down
22/3/56 RNAY Fleetlands for scrap
SOC 8/11/56

WB415 FR.5 F.8612 RN History
17/3/50 Delivered RDU Culham
2/6/50 To AHU Hal Far
8/50 – 1/51 810 Sqn HMS THESEUS (232/T)
5/51 812 Sqn
7/51 AHU SembawangRAN History
27/9/51 817 Sqn HMAS SYDNEY
6/10/51 Hook stuck in housed position. Entered barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr R.B. Lunberg RN)
18/10/51 Bounced and caught No 4 wire – prop pecked deck (Lt W.E. Dunlop, RAN)
10/51 SCAG AustraliaRN History
30/11/51 ARS Iwakuni
4/4/52 HMS UNICORN
28/4/52 AHU Sembawang
19/6/52 HMS UNICORN
30/6/52 825 Sqn HMS OCEAN (285)
11/11/52 AHU Sembawang
15/7/53 HMS UNICORN
11/8/53 810 Sqn HMS OCEAN
23/10/53 ARS Iwakuni
18/5/54 AHU Sembawang
25/10/54 To UK in HMS GLORY
9/12/54 RNAY Fleetlands
7/9/55 Scrapped on site
WB423 AS.5/AS.6 F.8620 RN History
29/4/50 Delivered to Ringway for AS.5 to AS.6 conversion
1/10/50 TOC RN

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/102/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra
21/12/50 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown as demonstration acft for conversion from AS.5 to AS.6
15/5/51 Nowra
28/10/51 816 Sqn
25/10/52 Damaged
14/11/52 Schofields
8/12/54 Nowra
9/11/56 Awaiting disposal
2/10/57 Reduced to Spares and Produce
Note: At some stage this acft is reported to have been allotted to 817 Sqn

WB505 AS6 F.8638 RN History
23/3/49 First flight
31/5/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
19/7/50 RNAMY Belfast

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
8/3/52 816 Sqn
1/8/52 Damaged
26/11/52 Fairey, Bankstown for mods
30/12/52 816 Sqn
26/1/53 Entered barrier after ldg HMAS SYDNEY
9/7/53 Damaged
21/9/53 Damaged
7/7/54 Nowra for storage
5/10/54 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
19/7/55 Nowra for storage
7/3/56 724 Sqn, Nowra
3/8/56 Damaged
6/9/56 Nowra
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah.
Note This acft was with 817 Sqn at some stage and is reported to have been with 723 Sqn in 1952.

WB506 AS.6 F.8639 RN History
31/5/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
20/6/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned)
and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
7/4/53 816 Sqn
9/6/53 Nowra for storage
15/1/54 Fairey, Bankstown
21/5/54 Nowra
1/6/54 723 Sqn
16/10/55 While landing at Inverell, NSW, it over shot the landing area and the under carriage collapsed (also reported as 14/10)
17/11/55 Fairey, Bankstown
13/6/57 Nowra for storage
9/1/58 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T Carr & Co, Sydney.
Note: This acft was with 817 Sqn at some stage and also with 851 Sqn as ‘267’.

WB507 AS.6 F.8640 RN History
31/5/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
20/6/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
19/1/53 Prepared for service
15/3/54 Nowra for storage
21/5/54 Fairey, Bankstown (ex-Schofields) for repair
30/7/54 Nowra
23/9/54 851 Sqn
18/11/54 Nowra
5/1/55 817 Sqn
19/4/55 Damaged
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
2/6/55 724 Sqn
21/1/56 Damaged
2/11/56 Nowra for storage
25/9/57 Damaged
3/10/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept. of Supply to T Carr & Co, Sydney.

WB508 AS6 F8641 RN History
31/5/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
20/6/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
3/2/53 Prepared for service
17/7/53 723 Sqn
7/4/54 Nowra
26/8/54 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
17/5/55 Nowra
30/11/55 723 Sqn (911/NW)
2/2/56 Damaged
25/10/56 Nowra for storage
9/1/58 Awaiting Disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept. of Supply to T Carr & Co, Sydney
Note: This acft is known to have been allotted to 817 Sqn at some stage.

WB509 AS.6 F.8642 RN History
1/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
19/6/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
6/3/52 816 Sqn (236/K)
26/11/52 Fairey, Bankstown for modifications
30/12/52 816 Sqn
17/2/53 Normal approach but flared too soon and floated over all wires into barrier, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt J.A. Bolton, RAN) (date also reported as 18/2)
27/2/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
29/6/54 Nowra
3/8/54 851 Sqn (267/K)
21/2/56 Damaged
21/2/57 Nowra as training aircraft
7/5/57 Damaged
23/5/57 Awaiting disposal
20/1/58 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Albert G. Sims Ltd, Newtown

WB510 AS.6 F.8643 RN History
1/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
20/6/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
? 817 Sqn
8/11/54 Awaiting disposal
8/2/56 Reduced to Spares and Produce

WB516 AS.6 F.8644 RN History
15/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
7/7/50 RNAMY Belfast

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
/51 817 Sqn (207/K)
14/10/51 Blown into gun sponson during Typhoon RUTH.
1/11/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn RN
9/1/52 Nowra
21/4/52 817 Sqn
By 5/53 816 Sqn
3/9/53 Damaged
5/12/52 Fairey, Bankstown for modifications
5/1/53 817 Sqn
20/1/53 Rudder struck concrete picketing block while being marshalled to dispersal, Nowra. (Lt R.J. Gilderson)
21/3/53 816 Sqn
14/7/53 Port tyre burst and undercarriage collapsed, entered barrier HMAS VENGEANCE (Lt G.J. Gratwick)
12/8/53 Schofields for repair
15/3/54 Awaiting disposal
29/7/54 Reduced to Spares and Produce

WB517 AS.6 F.8645 RN History
15/6/50 Delivered RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
15/1/54 Fairey, Bankstown for repair.
8/4/54 Nowra for storage
27/5/54 723 Sqn
20/8/54 Lost hydraulic fluid, undercarriage failed to lower – made belly ldg at Nowra (Sub Lt K.H. Knowles, RAN & Sub Lt W.T. Mulholland, RAN)
26/8/54 Nowra
26/1/55 851 Sqn (273/K)
17/2/55 Nowra
25/1/55 851 Sqn
27/4/55 Nowra
31/5/55 724 Sqn
/11/56 851 Sqn
21/2/57 Nowra
1/7/57 Damaged
26/11/57 Damaged
5/12/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WB518 AS.6/TT.6 F.8646 RN History
19/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
? 816 Sqn
16/9/52 Hook caught wire while still airborne and prop pecked deck, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt J.A. Bolton, RAN)
? 817 Sqn
29/4/54 Flap damaged while being handled on desk HMAS VENGEANCE
/54 851 Sqn (268/NW)
8/57-11/57 Nowra
? Converted to TT.6 by Brain & Brown, Avalon, Vic.
11/58-12/58 725 Sqn (903/NW)
12/59 – 6/62 723 Sqn (842/NW)  (operated by Brain & Brown Ltd)
5/64 724 Sqn

Later History
8/7/66 SOC and sold to Mr. R. Beltrame , PO Box 828, Griffiths, NSW, Tender No.12379 for $400.00.  Mounted on a pole at Returned Services League, Griffiths (903/NW).
/91 Brought down from the pole and fwd fuselage used to repair damaged Firefly WD828 (q.v.) by Classic Aviation Company, Bankstown NSW.   Fwd fuselage of WD828 was restored to static display standard and incorporated into WB518 which was then restored to its pole!

CURRENT (2019)
The restored WD828 was flying in the US using the markings of WB518 after the owner investigated the provenance of the fuselage he owns and decided that this was a more appropriate serial.  Aircraft was badly damaged in a wheels-up landing at the 2012 Wings Over Gillespie airshow. Rebuilt again and is back in flying condition in 2019, representing WB377 which was loaned by the RN to 817 Squadron during its Korean engagement.

WB519 AS.6 F.8647 RN History
21/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
3/7/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
28/10/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn RN
9/1/52 Nowra
21/4/52 817 Sqn (232/K)
10/6/52 Swung to stbd on take-off and stbd wing hit fork lift truck, HMAS SYDNEY.  Pilot made a partially controlled ditching off the port bow. (Lt A.B. Haywood)
SOC 10/9/52
Note: Another source states that the final accident took place while landing on board HMAS SYDNEY when acft hit the lift and went over the side

WB520 AS.6 F.8648 RN History
6/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
27/6/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
5/11/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn
9/1/52 Nowra
21/4/52 817 Sqn
5/12/52 Fairey, Bankstown for modifications
12/1/53 817 Sqn
2/2/53 Floated over wires and entered No 2 barrier, HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt D.M. Kimber)
3/3/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repairs
6/4/54 Nowra for storage
21/5/54 817 Sqn
10/2/55 Prop pecked deco on ldg HMAS SYDNEY ((Sub Lt G.J. King RAN)
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
12/10/56 Damaged
30/1/57 Awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW

WB521 AS.6 F.8649 RN History
27/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
1/11/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn RN
9/1/52 Nowra
21/4/52 817 Sqn (204/K)
4/6/52 During DLT, bounced and entered Nos 2 & 3 barriers HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr M.W. Wotherspoon)
19/6/52 Randwick Naval Store for repair
? Fairey, Bankstown (Note: presumably where the repair actually took place)
1/6/53 Nowra
15/9/53 817 Sqn
2/12/53 Wheels up landing at Nhill, Vic
13/12/53 Schofields for repair and storage
15/3/54 Awaiting disposal
7/11/55 Reduced to Spares and Produce.

WB522 AS.6 F.8650 RN History
19/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
5/4/51 Caught wire while airborne and prop pierced the deck HMAS SYDNEY (Lt M.H. Simpson)
4/7/51 816 Sqn (235/K) (or 236/K)
22/2/52 While night flying from Nowra, crashed into the sea off Seven Mile Beach after a flare dropping exercise. (Sub Lt D.P.E. Small RAN and Obs 1 J.G. Sharpe RAN both killed)
4/5/53 WOC

WB523 AS.6 F.8651 RN History
22/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
13/2/51 817 Sqn
/7/51 816 Sqn
19/2/52 Failed to return from night patrol exercise and believed to have crashed into the sea off Moruya NSW (Sub Lt D.H. Saunders RAN & Lt B.H.F Wall RAN killed
4/5/53 WOC.

WD824 AS.6 F.8652 RN History
266/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
19/7/50 RNAMY Belfast

 

RAN History
6/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
5/11/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn RN
4/1/52 Heavy ldg during DLP HMS GLORY (Cd Plt M.H.C. Purnell)
28/2/52 Fairey, Bankstown
13/9/52 816 Sqn (237/K)
7/1/53 RATOG motors detached and carried off prop.  Acft ground looped to stbd at Nowra (Lt R.J. Leeson RAN)
20/1/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
15/4/54 Nowra for storage
21/5/54 817 Sqn (227/K)
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
20/4/56 Activated
22/8/57 Damaged
29/8/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD825 AS.6 F.8653 RN History
29/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
7/7/51 816 Sqn (232/K)
9/52 Nowra
? Fairey, Bankstown
15/4/53 816 Sqn
26/6/53 Entered barrier HMAS VENGEANCE
8/10/53 Damaged
28/10/53 Damaged
16/6/54 Schofields for repair and storage
25/11/55 HMAS PENGUIN, Sydney as ground instructional airframe
26/9/60 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Aluminium Ingots.

WD826 AS.6/TT.6 F.8654 RN History
30/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
3/7/52 Fairey, Ringway

 

RAN History
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE
11/3/53 By road to Schofields
6/53 816 Sqn (245/K)
6/11/54 Wing tip hit runway and undercarriage collapsed RAAF Laverton (Sub Lt A. Saunders RAN & Cdr D.O. Bews RAN)
5/57 – 11/57 Nowra for storage
/61 Converted to TT.6 by Brain & Brown, Avalon, Vic
3/62 – 4/62 723 Sqn (845/NW)
Ca /64 Schofields as Instructional airframe then stored.

Later History
10/8/67 Allotted to Naval Aviation Museum, Nowra
30/9/86 Transferred to RAN Historic Flight and entered on civil register as VH-NVU
4/10/86 First flight after restoration marked as ‘WD826’, ‘245/K’
/89 Withdrawn from use with engine problems.
By 2/02 At Tyabb, Vic for maintenance and restoration to airworthiness
/09 Returned to Nowra where restoration continues

CURRENT (2012)

WD827 AS.6 F.8655 RN History
30/6/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
10/7/51 816 Sqn (235/K)
19/7/51 Wheels up landing at Jervis Bay (Lt Cdr W.G. Herbert RAN)
25/7/51 Damaged
30/7/51 Nowra
17/4/52 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
11/6/52 Nowra
21/7/52 723 Sqn
12/5/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
24/7/53 Nowra
1/9/53 723 Sqn (911/NW)
3/9/53 Damaged
8/6/54 Schofields
24/11/54 Nowra as instructional airframe
13/12/55 Awaiting disposal

Later History2/11/56 Sold to Australian Air League, Blacktown, NSW
5/73 transferred to Moorabbin Air Museum, Vic (Now the Australian National Aviation Museum)

CURRENT (2012)

WD828 AS.6/TT.6 F.8656 RN History
/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
15/10/51 Struck high tension cable 1 mile west of Nowra bridge during unauthorised low flying (Lt J.A. Bolton, RAN)
6/53-10/53 816 Sqn
29/8/56 723 Sqn
11/56 851 Sqn
9/57 – 11/57 Nowra
? Converted to TT.6 (?By Brain and Brown, Avalon, Vic?)
1/62 723 Sqn (847/NW)
3/3/65 Awaiting disposal at Bankstown

Later History
2/67 Sold through Dept of Supply to Moorabbin Air Museum, Vic for $400.00 and preserved
21/7/73 Sold to Mike Wansey, Australian Aircraft Restoration Group/Confederate Air Force for restoration to fly at Essendon, Vic.  Civil registration VH-HMW but marked as ‘WD828 271/K’ ‘Mickey Mouse’

4/12/87 After taking off from Camden, NSW suffered engine failure and made a forced ldg in a cabbage field close to Camden. The pilot, George Markey and his engineer, Bill Spence, were sued for $400,000.00 on the grounds of negligence and a court battle carried on until 2001. The court found in favour of Michael Wansey.

5/2/90 Acquired by Bruce Simpson of Classic Aviation for $100.00 and removed to the company’s premises at Bankstown Airport for restoration using the forward fuselage and centre section of WB518 from Griffiths, NSW.  The forward fuselage and centre section of WD828 was restored to static display standard and incorporated in WB518 which was restored to display in Griffith.

4/94 Partially restored acft was purchased by Captain Eddie Kurdziel of Fort Collins, Colorado, USA  and airfreighted to Fort Collins, Colorado, USA where it was restored to Flying Condition by Ray Middleton’s QA Aviation of North America.

6/4/02 First flight after restoration and registered as N518WB but marked initially as ‘WB377’ ‘201/K’ then later as ‘WB518’ ‘201/K’ but with Royal Navy titles.

CURRENT (2012).

Note: The repaired WD828 is still flying in the US using the markings of WB518 after the owner investigated the provenance of the fuselage he owns and decided that this was a more appropriate serial

WD829 AS.6 F.8657 RN History
17/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
18/6/51 Precautionary ldg at Nowra but overran the runway and struck an obstruction
7/7/51 816 Sqn
22/4/52 Nowra
19/5/52 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
8/7/52 Nowra
30/7/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
20/10/53 Nowra
21/10/53 723 Sqn
4/2/54 HMAS Vengeance as training airframe
8/6/54 Schofields awaiting disposal
29/4/55 HMAS SYDNEY as training airframe
14/9/56 Schofields awaiting disposal
27/9/56 Allocated as training airframe
10/10/57 To Garden Island Dockyard, Sydney
18/10/57 Reduced to Spares and Produce

WD830 AS.6 F.8658 RN History
13/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
21/9/50 RNAMY Belfast

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
2/11/51 Loaned to 812 Sqn RN
9/1/52 Nowra
21/4/52 817 Sqn
6/6/52 Failed to flare when ldg and entered barrier, HMAS SYDNEY
23/6/52 Naval Stores Randwick awaiting repair
30/6/52 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
16/6/53 Nowra
26/10/53 Fairey, Bankstown for modifications
15/12/53 Schofields
5/1/54 Nowra
17/3/54 723 Sqn
29/10/54 Emergency ldg after complete loss of oil pressure (Lt C.A. Dakin RAN & Sub Lt J. Tidey RAN)
9/3/55 Emergency ldg
29/2/56 Nowra awaiting disposal
19/3/56 Schofields awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW

WD831 AS6. F.8659 RN History
10/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
26/7/50 RNAMY Belfast

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
8/11/54 Awaiting disposal
20/2/56 Reduced to Spares and Produce
18/10/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply

WD832 AS.6 F.8660 RN History
13/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
19/5/51 Struck by private car en route Jervis Bay to Nowra
18/6/51 Nowra for repair
31/10/51 Fairey Clyde, Bankstown by road
12/1/52 817 Sqn (200/K)
26/5/54 Schofields
3/12/54 Classified as Instructional airframe
24/11/55 Awaiting disposal
20/2/56 Reduced to Spares and Produce

WD833 AS.6 F.8661 RN History
14/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
7/50 AHU Abbotsinch
16/8/50 Fairey, White Waltham for fitting of RAN HF radio

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
16/3/51 RDU Nowra
? Fairey Clyde, Bankstown
12/2/52 Nowra
8/3/52 816 Sqn (234/K)
19/3/53 Nowra
29/3/52 Fairey, Bankstown for trials
24/5/52 Nowra
18/6/52 723 Sqn (910/NW, 810/NW, 840/-)
24/11/54 Classified as ground instructional airframe Class II
17/5/56 Classified as ground instructional airframe Class III

Later History
19/9/60 Sold through Dept of Supply to R.H. Grant Trading Co, Hawthorn, Vic
/73 preserved at Berwick Museum of Transport, Vic
5/75 To Strathallan Collection, Scotland
14/6/81 Failed to sell at Christies auction
29/7/81 Sold to N. Grace and departed by road.
By 13/1/82 at St Merryn, Cornwall (still as 910/NW)
13/8/84 Sold at Christies auction to Ward Wilkins Unlimited Aero, Fort Collins Colorado
16/4/86 Shipped to USA via Southampton docks
/88 Sold to Henry J Schroeder, Danville, Illinois
11/89 Placed on US civil register as N833WD but stored
25/1/94 Sold to Wally Fisk/Amjet Aircraft Corp, St Paul, Anoka Country Minnesota
22/8/00 Transferred to Amjet Services Inc, St Paul, Anoka County Minnesota
8/01 Sold to Steve Alex, Rockport, Missouri as restoration project
/06 Still stored in a barn
/07 Reported with Minden Air, Minden Nevada for restoration to fly
23/4/10 Reported being restored by Len Parker at Reno Nevada

CURRENT (2012)

WD834 AS.6 F.8662 RN History
14/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
26/7/50 RNAMY Belfast

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
6/12/55 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney
Note: This acft is understood to have flown with 817 Squadron.

WD835 AS.6 F.8663 RN History
18/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
28/7/50 RNAMY Belfast

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
6/12/55 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney
Note: This acft is understood to have flown with 817 Squadron at some stage.

WD836 AS.6 F.8664 RN History
8/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
4/7/51 816 Sqn (237/K)
6/5/52 Nowra
29/10/52 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
11/3/53 723 Sqn
26/5/54 Schofields awaiting disposal
1/3/55 Nowra as ground instructional airframe Class II
17/1/56 Schofields awaiting disposal
25/10/56 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon. Caringbah, NSW

WD837 AS.6 F.8665 RN History
19/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
4/51 816 Sqn (238/K)
6/12/51 Emergency ldg Nowra with white smoke from port side of engine (Lt M.T. Streeter, RAN)
? 817 Sqn (20-/K, 208/K, 208/Q)
7/7/53 Tailwheel and undercarriage damaged ldg HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr J.H. Stenning)
14/6/62 To fire fighting instructional use, Nowra.

WD838 AS.6 F.8666 RN History
1/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
10/7/51 816 Sqn
5/12/52 Fairey, Bankstown for modifications
By 4/53 816 Sqn (230/K)
26/4/53 Struck rudder of WD839
28/9/53 Heavy ldg, broke tail oleo HMAS SYDNEY (Lt N.B. Cox)
12/10/53 Nowra
26/10/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
11/2/55 Nowra for storage
21/3/55 816 Sqn (239/K)
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
12/7/55 851 Sqn
5/9/55 Nowra for storage
21/3/57 Awaiting disposal
20/1/58 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Albert G. Sims Ltd, Newtown, NSW.

WD839 AS.6 F.8667 RN History
21/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
29/7/50 RNAMY Belfast

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned) and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for storage
12/4/51 817 Sqn
18/6/51 Struck workman’s shelter while taxying, Nowra (Lt Cdr M.W. Wotherspoon)
6/7/51 816 Sqn
26/4/53 Rudder damaged by WD838
14/7/54 Nowra awaiting disposal
16/7/54 Schofields awaiting disposal
29/11/54 Classified as ground instructional airframe Class I
17/5/56 Re-classified as ground instructional airframe Class II
6/12/56 Awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW
Note: Forward fuselage was reported to exist at the North East Aircraft Museum, Usworth, in UK but this is now believed to be from WD889 an RN Firefly AS.5.

WD840 AS.6 F.8668 RN History
2/7/50 Delivered to RDU Culham

 

RAN History
16/10/50 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland (cocooned)
and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY
7/12/50 Landed at Jervis Bay
10/12/50 By road to Nowra for 817 Sqn
4/51 816 Sqn (241/K)
12/8/52 Port undercarriage collapsed on ldg (where?) (Sub Lt D.M. Kimber)
2/9/52 Sheared off undercarriage, ran through both barriers and struck WB338 in deck park, HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt J.A. Bolton RAN)
? Converted to TT.6 (?By Brain and Brown, Avalon, Vic)
? 851 Sqn (272/K)
9/57 – 10/57 Nowra
3/3/65 To Bankstown for disposal

Later History
7/66 Sold through Dept of Supply to Jarman Aircraft Engine Overhaul Service, Sydney
1/67 Sold to Ed Fleming/Skyservice Aviation, Camden NSW
/69 Sold to Bob Deirmert, Carman, Manitoba, Canada for restoration
17/9/72 First flight after restoration with a Merlin 500 engine from an Avro York.  Cockpit fitted out with bench seating for 7/8 passengers.  Civil registration was CF-CBH.
10/75 Sold to Jerry Barg, South Easton, Massachusetts and re-registered N810J
/75 – 78 Parked at Mansfield Massachusetts still in civil scheme and with the registration N62174 taped on.
5/82 re-registered N1840 to Gene Fisher, Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Middletown, Pennsylvania
/89 – /90 To Don Knapp, DK Precision, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
/90 – /01 Lone Star Flight Museum, Galveston, Texas in storage pending restoration
/03  Airplane Services Inc, Jay, Florida as restoration project
3/10/06 Andy O’Pry Arm Aviation , Park City, Utah for completion of restoration to fly
9/09 Transferred to QG Aviation, Fort Colllin, Colorado for the final stage of restoration as ‘WD840’ ‘241/K’

CURRENT (2012)

WD841 AS.6 F.8669 RN History
17/8/50 Delivered to RDU Culham
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
1/52 737 Sqn Eglinton
5/8/52 Fairey, Ringway
13 – 20/3/53 AHU Abbotsinch for testing

 

RAN History
8/6/53 Delivered to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY in June 1953.
14/8/53  Arrived in Australia and delivered to Schofields for storage.
11/54 851 Sqn
16/11/54 Crew experienced carbon monoxide poisoning at 4,000 ft during night cross-country flight and returned to base (Lt R.J. Leeson, RAN & Lt W.K. Bird RAN)
10/55 Nowra
14/2/62 Allocated for fire-fighting training at Nowra.

WD842 AS.6 F.8670 RN History
17/8/50 Delivered RDU Culham
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
1/52 719 Sqn, Eglinton (267/GN)
29/1/52 Drifted to stbd and stbd wing struck crane, HMS TRIUMPH (Sub Lt D.M. Kimber)
28/8/52 Fairey, Ringway
27/11/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Allocated to RAN
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
28/4/54 Nowra for storage
22/7/54 816 Sqn
27/7/54 Wing struck tree top while low flying near Nowra (Lt B.F. Matthews RAN & Sub Lt K.G. Marley-Potts RAN)
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
12/10/56 Damaged
22/11/56 Awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW.

WD843 AS.6 F.8671 RN History
21/8/50 Delivered RDU Culham
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
8/2/52 – 5/52 821 Sqn Machrihanish (245/MA)
7/52 RNAS Ford

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Embarked HMAS SYDNEY for passage to Australia
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD846 AS.6 F.8674 RN History
23/8/50 Delivered RDU Culham
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
16/7/52 Fairey, Ringway

 

RAN History
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE.
11/3/53 Arrived in Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
28/4/54 Nowra for storage
29/7/54 816 Sqn
10/2/55 Tail oleo collapsed on ldg, HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt A. Sanders, RAN & Sub Lt A.G. Whitton )
23/3/55  Lowered HFDF mast struck stbd wing HMAS SYDNEY
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
16/2/56 Damaged
31/1/57 Awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Carigbah, NSW

WD852 AS.6 F.8680 RN History
11/9/50 Delivered RDU Culham
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
28/10/51 – 1/52 1830 Sqn Abbotsinch
7/52 RNAMY Belfast
28/11/52 Fairey, Hamble
23/1/53 Tested at AHU Abbotsinch
6/53 824 Sqn (283/A)

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage
14/8/53 . Off loaded to Schofields for storage
? 723 Sqn (917/NW) (also reported as 915/NW)
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD855 AS.6 F.8683 RN History
18/9/50 delivered RDU Culham
1/51 AHU Abbotsinch
15/7/52 Fairey, Ringway
3/11/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE.
19/3/53 Disembarked to Schofields for storage
23/3/54 Nowra for storage
19/7/54 816 Sqn
8/11/54 Damaged
15/11/54 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
21/7/55 Nowra for storage
28/2/56 723 Sqn
20/3/56 Nowra
6/4/56 723 Sqn
25/10/56 Nowra for storage
20/12/56 851 Sqn
21/2/57 Nowra
26/1/57 damaged
5/12/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD856 AS.6 F.8684 RN History
25/9/50 Delivered RDU Culham
1/51 RDU Anthorn
9/51 – 10/51 Ships Flt HMAS TRIUMPH (204/P)
11/51 737 Sqn, Eglinton (209/GN)
25/1/52 Barrier crash HMS TRIUMPH
/52 1841 Sqn, Stretton (287/-)
7/52 RNAMY Belfast
10/9/52 RNAS Eglinton
23/10/52 Fairey, Ringway

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Disembarked to Schofields for storage
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD861 AS.6 F.8689 RN History
25/10/50 Delivered RDU Anthorn
9/51 1830 Sqn Donibristle/Abbotsinch (241/DO, 241/AC)

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN
6/53 Embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Arrived in Sydney
18/8/53 Schofields for storage
By 22/6/55 (to at least 9/55) 851 Sqn
10/10/57 Allocated as ground instructional airframe Class !!
26/9/60 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Aluminium Ingots Ltd.

WD866 AS.6 F.8694 RN History
6/11/50 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
9/51 737 Sqn, Eglinton
6/12/51 After engaging wire, gave engine a burst and prop pecked the deck, HMS TRIUMPH (Sub Lt S. Kimmins)
25/1/52 Unable to close throttle after flying through heavy snowstorm, caught wire and engaged barrier heavily HMS TRIUMPH (Sub Lt T.J.G. Cooper)
7/52 Lee-on-Solent
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
4/7/53 816 Sqn (238/NW)
21/6/54 Nowra for storage
5/8/54 851 Sqn (271/NW)
25/8/54 WD887 blown into this acft
15/5/56 Damaged when struck by tractor
30/5/56 Nowra awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW.

WD867 AS.6 F.8695 RN History
7/11/50 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
10/51 – 7/52 737 Sqn, Eglinton
? RNAMY Belfast
30/3/53 Lee-on-Solent

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Allocated to RAN
6/53 Embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD869 AS.6 F.8696 RN History
2/11/50 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
9/51 – 10/51 Ship’s Flt HMS TRIUMPH (211/P)
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE.
11/3/53 Arrived in Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
26/5/54 Nowra for storage
3/8/54 851 Sqn (264/K)
19/8/54 Pilot felt unwell due to carbon monoxide poisoning, used oxygen and landed safely (Lt K.M. Barnett RAN & Lt W.K. Bird RAN)
3/55 723 Sqn
21/2/57 Nowra
20/3/57 Pilot mistook light from Kiama Lighthouse for Point Perpendicular Lighthouse and hit peak of Cambewarra Mountains; crashed near Berry, Jervis Bay (Sub Lt W.J. Browne RAN & Mid I.T. Caird RAN killed)
28/11/57 Written off charge.

WD870 AS.6 F.8698 RN History
2/11/50 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
9/51 – 10/51 Ship’s Flt HMAS TRIUMPH (208/P)
10/51 737 Sqn, Eglinton
4/12/51 Floated and engaged No 10 wire and No 1 barrier (? HMS TRIUMPH) (Sub Lt R. Cox)
1/52 Lee-on-Solent
1/52 737 Sqn Eglinton
20/12/52 Fairey, Ringway
9/5/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
18/8/53 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD879 AS.6 F.8702 RN History
17/11/50 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
13/12/50 Tested
7/51 767 Sqn Yeovilton (-/VL)
3/10/51 Became separated from leader during transit flight to Eglinton, made precautionary ldg, refuelled and continued to Eglinton (Lt C.A. Bevan)
26/11/51 During DLP , caught No 10 wire and entered No 1 barrier, HMS TRIUMPH (Lt H.J. Morley)
1/52 AHU Abbotsinch
3/52 719 Sqn, Eglinton
21/10/52 Fairey, Ringway
14/12/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 transferred to RAN charge and it   embarked in HMAS SYDNEY.
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
21/8/53 Schofields for storage
30/7/54 Nowra for storage
1/10/54 (to at least 2/56) 723 Sqn (912/NW)
? 851 Sqn
13/3/56 Embarked HMAS SYDNEY
16/3/56 Flared early and floated over wires into barrier
10/4/56 Schofields awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW

WD882 AS.6 F.8705 RN History
5/12/50 Delivered RDU Anthorn
1/51 767 Sqn, Yeovilton (-/VL)
? AHU Abbotsinch
22/2/52 Fairey, White Waltham to fit special equipment for armament stores clearance
30/4/52 ‘C’ Sqn, A & AEE Boscombe Down for clearance of armament stores
14/8/52 RDU Anthorn
? AHU Abbotsinch
19/9/52 Fairey, Ringway
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
6/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
20/7/54 Nowra for storage
16/8/54 (to at least 2/56) 723 Sqn (910/NW)
? 724 Sqn (910/NW)
13/9/56 Nowra awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW.
Note: Use of code ‘271/K’ is also reported but not confirmed

WD883 AS.6 F.8706 RN History
30/11/50 delivered to RDU Anthorn
15/12/50 Tested
7/51 767 Sqn, Yeovilton (-/VL)
9/1/52 AHU Abbotsinch
3/52 719 Sqn, Eglinton
19/11/52 Fairey, Ringway
29/1/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Arrived in Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD884 AS.6 F.8707 RN History
5/12/50 delivered to RDU Anthorn
7/51 RNARY Fleetlands
3/3/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE for passage
17/3/53 Schofields for storage
17/12/53 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
By 30/7/54 Nowra for storage
3/8/54 851 Sqn (266/-, 266/K, 266/NW)
21/2/57 Stbd canopy of Observer’s cockpit detached in flight and damaged tailplane (Lt N.E. Lee RAN & REM N. Nancarrow)
5/3/57 Damaged
14/3/57 Awaiting disposal
2/5/57 Classified as Instructional airframe Class III
6/3/50 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD885 AS.6 F.8708 RN History
5/12/50 delivered to RDU Anthorn
2/51 767 Sqn Yeovilton (-/VL)
20/3/52 AHU Abbotsinch
18/9/52 Fairey, Ringway

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
/54 851 Sqn (268/K)
19/8/54 Pilot experienced carbon monoxide poisoning but made safe ldg
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD887 AS.6 F.8710 RN History
8/1/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
20/1/51 – 13/2/51 tested
2/51 814 Sqn (219/Q)
30/5/51 Flared too early and floated over all wires into both barriers HMS VENGEANCE (Lt Cdr C.H. Allen & Cd Obs T. Ford)
7/51 Fairey for repair
7/52 RDU Anthorn
20/8/52 Fairey, Ringway
2/12/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE. (215/Q)
11/1/53 Arrived in Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
28/4/54 Nowra for storage
3/8/54 (to at least 9/55) 851 Sqn (260/K)
25/8/54 Blown into WD866 while taxying in gusty conditions (Lt L.E. Lee, RAN)
? 724 Sqn (910/NW)
27/11/56 Mid-air collision with VX381 over Jervis Bay (Sub Lt A Arundel, RN & Mid Fogarty RAN killed)
14/6/57 SOC.

NOTE: The wreck of this aircraft has been located and has been consecrated as a grave. See “Anecdotes” section of this website.

WD891 AS.6 F.8715 RN History
6/2/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
19/8/52 RDU Anthorn to Fairey, Ringway
27/11/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE.
11/8/53 Arrived Sydney
17/3/53 Schofields for storage
/53 817 Sqn (202/K)
28/4/54 Nowra for storage
3/8/54 851 Sqn
21/9/55 Total loss of engine power and ditched (Lt J. Rogers + 1 rescued)
23/3/56 Written off charge.

WD892 AS.6 F.8716 RN History
9/1/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
5 – 21/2/51 tested
2/51 814 Sqn
26/9/51 heavy ldg, tailwheel burst and fuselage skin wrinkled HMS THESEUS (Sub Lt A.J. Whelan)
7/1/52 Tested AHU Abbotsinch
/52 796 Sqn St Merryn (217/MF)
7/52 RDU Anthorn
20/8/52 Fairey, Ringway
29/10/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Delivered to King George V Docks, Glasgow, Scotland and embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE.
11/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
16/7/53 Nowra
7/10/53 723 Sqn
26/10/53 Nowra
5/2/54 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
19/2/54 Nowra
29/3/54 723 Sqn (915/NW)
23/2/56 Stalled after wave-off during ADDLs and was damaged
/56 724 Sqn (915/NW)
5/3/56 Nowra awaiting disposal
19/3/56 Schofields awaiting disposal
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW.

WD893 AS.6 F.8717 RN History
9/1/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
2/3/51 Tested
/51 814 Sqn
21/5/51 During night DLT, floated over wires and hook caught No 1 barrier.  Acft landed forward of barrier HMS VENGEANCE (Lt. J Trevis)
7/51 Fairey, Ringway
19/8/52 RDU Anthorn
27/11/52 Fairey, Ringway to AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow for passage
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
17/3/53 Schofields for storage
21/7/53 Nowra
11/9/53 817 Sqn
31/10/54 Propeller pecked deck on landing HMAS SYDNEY
24/11/54 Flared early, floated, caught No 10 wire and entered No 1 barrier HMAS SYDNEY (Lt G.J. King RAN)
9/2/55 Landed with hook up and entered barrier, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt P.T. Cabban RAN)
9/2/55 Nowra for repair
17/10/55 851 Sqn (261/K)
21/2/57 Nowra
8/8/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD895 AS.6 F.8719 RN History
19/1/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
13 – 20 2/51 tested
7/51 – 1/52 767 Sqn Yeovilton (-/VL)
2/7/51 Struck and knocked off Type 941 radar aerial, HMAS TRIUMPH during mock attack.
7/52 826 Sqn (279/J)

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co Sydney.

WD896 AS.6 F.8720 RN History
18/1/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
23/2/51 – 11/51 814 Sqn, Culdrose
29/5/51 Flared too early during night landing, caught No 10 wire and entered No 1 barrier HMS VENGEANCE (Lt Cdr C.H. Allen & Cd Obs T.Ford)
1/52 Gosport
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow for passage
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
5/55 – (to at least 9/55) 851 Sqn
14/6/62 To fire fighting instruction at Nowra.

WD897 AS.6 F.8721 RN History
22/1/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
10/51 – 1/52 737 Sqn, Eglinton (220/GN)
? RNAMY Belfast
28/6/52 737 Sqn, Eglinton (220/GN)
19/8/52 heavy ldg, bounced, prop pecked runway (Sub Lt C.F.J. Chresta)
? Gosport
30/9/52 Fairey, Ringway
18/12/52 AHU Abbotsinch
18/1/53 814 Sqn (258/J)

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
28/1/55 Nowra for storage
25/2/55 816 Sqn
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
28/7/55 851 Sqn
27/10/55 Swerved off runway after ldg and undercarriage collapsed.
8/11/55 Nowra awaiting disposal
17/1/56 Schofields awaiting disposal
25/10/56 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Albert G. Sims Ltd, Newtown, NSW
Note: Reported with 724 Sqn at some stage as 878/NW possibly in 1953.

WD898 AS.6 F.8722 RN History
31/1/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
11/4/51 Tested
5/51 – 10/51 826 Sqn Ford
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow or passage.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
30/3/53 Schofields for storage
21/1/54 Fairey, Bankstown for repair
22/7/54 Nowra for storage
5/8/54 851 Sqn
18/10/56 Nowra awaiting disposal.
4/6/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to FitzGibbon & Garthon, Caringbah, NSW.

WD899 AS.6 F.8723 RN History
31/1/51 Delivered RDU Anthorn
7/52 1830/1843 Sqns  (Scottish Air Divn) Donibristle/Abbotsinch (248/DO, 248/AC)
9/2/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Suipply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD901 AS.6 F.8725 RN History
31/1/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
2/51 – 7/51 814 Sqn
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
18/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
30/3/53 Schofields for storage
8/54 816 Sqn
25/10/54 Caught wire while airborne and prop pecked deck, HMAS SYDNEY (Lt B.F. Matthews RAN & Sub Lt A.G. Whitton RAN)
33/55 In heavy weather, broke free of chocks and tail wheel rolled off deck, HMAS SYDNEY
5/57 Nowra
7/1/58 Fairey, Bankstown for conversion to TT.6 (but converted at Brain and Brown, Avalon, Vic)
? 725 Sqn (907/NW)
10/61 723 Sqn (846/NW)
? – 11/62 724 Sqn (878/NW)
? Bankstown awaiting disposal

Later History
8/7/66 Sold through Dept of Supply to Casula Auto Wreckers, NSW for $550.00 and displayed in front of wrecker’s yard.
/67 Sold to Major William G. Gabella of Charleston South Carolina and shipped to the USA aboard SS African Crescent.  Taken to Charleston Municipal Airport for conversion to crop duster with civil registration N7649.
/68 Sold to to John M Sliker, Wadley, Georgia and became derelict.
/70 Sold to Dennis Bradley and Alan Ness of the Canadian Warplane Heritage (CWH).  They spent C$50,000.00 refurbishing the aircraft to airworthiness to fly to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada where it was registered as CF-BDH in Royal Canadian Navy colours as ‘BD-H’ of 825 Sqn RCN.
2/9/77 While giving an air display at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, Ontario the aircraft spun in crashing into Lake Ontario killing its pilot, Alan Ness.

WD903 AS.6 F.8727 RN History
7/2/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
18 – 19/4/51 tested
6/51 – 1/52 826 Sqn, Ford
7/52 Machrihanish
? RDU Anthorn
9/10/52 Fairey, Ringway
9/3/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD906 AS.6 F.8730 RN History
15/2/51 – 1/52 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
6/52 – 7/52 824 Sqn, Eglinton
3/6/52 Boost control lever became inoperative during flight (Lt D.A. Fuller)
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
20/3/53 Schofields for storage
23/7/53 Nowra for storage
3/8/54 851 Sqn (270/K)
21/2/57 Nowra
21/3/57 Awaiting disposal
20/1/58 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Albert G. Sims Ltd, Newtown, NSW.

WD914 AS.6 F.8737 RN History
5/3/51 – 7/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
11/51 1830 Sqn Donibristle (220/-)
1/9/52 RDU Anthorn
7/10/52 Fairey, Ringway
18/12/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
3/8/54 Nowra for storage
by 2/55 to at least 4/55 723 Sqn
13/3/56 HMAS SYDNEY
30/3/56 723 Sqn (913/NW)
25/10/56 Nowra for storage
8/8/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WD915 AS.6 F.8738 RN History
20/3/51 – 7/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
11/51 – 7/52 7373 Sqn, Eglinton (226/GN)

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
21/8/53 Schofields for storage
30/7/54 Nowra for storage
5/11/54 816 Sqn
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
11/6/56 851 Sqn (269/K, 269/NW)
5/8/57 Damaged
8/8/57 Nowra for storage
22/8/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney

WD921 AS.6 F.8744 RN History
11/4/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
17/7/51 1840/1842 Sqns (Channel Air Div RNVR)
1/52 RNAMY Fleetlands
21/10/52 Fairey, Ringway
11/1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
18/8/53 Schofields for storage
24/4/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WH627 AS.6 F.8750 RN History
11/4/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
9/51 – 12/51 814 Sqn (219/T)
1/52 Gosport
7/52 RDU Anthorn
25/8/52 Fairey, Ringway
29/10/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
2/4/54 Nowra
6/8/54 816 Sqn
11/3/55 Floated, caught No 10 wire and entered barrier, HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt H.P. Hunt, RAN)
6/4/55 heavy ldg on moving deck and tail oleo fractured HMAS SYDNEY (Sub Lt H.P. Hunt, RAN)
27/4/55 Nowra
27/2/57 Damaged
7/3/57 Awaiting disposal
2/5/57 Classified as instructional airframe Class II
27/8/58 Allocated to fire fighting training at Nowra.

WH632 AS.6 F.8755 RN History
3/5/51 delivered to RDU Anthorn
7/51 1840 Sqn, (Channel Air Div RNVR) (209/FD, 211/FD)
20/9/51 Landed short and struck runway marker (Lt C.B.H. Barford)
3/2/52 Heavy ldg (Lt C.B.H. Batford)
29/10/52 Fairey, Ringway
27/1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
7/6/53 transferred to RAN and embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for passage.
14/8/53 Arrived Sydney
19/8/53 Schofields for storage
3/4/58 Classified instructional airframe Class III
? Awaiting disposal

Later History
3/6/60 Sold through the Department of Supply to the Marrickville Air League, NSW, who held it in open storage in a compound.
1966 Transferred to the Camden Museum of Aviation, Camden, NSW and later Narellan NSW.
6/78 Sold to the Canadian Warplane Heritage, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Shipped by sea to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and then by road to Mount Hope Airport outside Hamilton.   Initially stored, it was later flown by C-130 Hercules to Patricia Bay Airport, Victoria, British Columbia
10/91 Restored to flying condition and placed on the civil register as C-GBDG.
6/5/92 Crashed on take-off for delivery to the Canadian Warplane Heritage base at Vitoria, British Columbia.
/93 – /95 Rebuilt to flying condition at Victoria.
31/10/95 First flight after restoration marked as ‘VH142’ ‘BD-G’ of the Royal Canadian Navy
11/6/96 Redelivered to Hamilton Ontario.

CURRENT (2012)

WJ109 AS.6 F.8813 RN History
25.6.51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
7/51 719 Sqn, Eglinton
28/8/51 Struck by VX346
1/52 Fairey, Ringway
27/11/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow for passage.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney and to Schofields
6/53 816 Sqn (238/K)
1/8/53 Pilot’s hood struck by ricochet debris during rocketing
By 4/55 817 Sqn
4/4/55 Prop pecked bowspring on ldg, hook bounced and acft entered barrier.  HMAS SYDNEY.  Flight deck rating injured.  (Lt P/T. Cabban, RAN & C/RE C.R. Riley)
8/57 Nowra
? 724 Sqn (907/NW)
? Converted to TT.6 at Brain & Brown, Avalon, Vic
4/62 – 8/62 723 Sqn
/65 – /72 Nowra as gate guard
/73 Restored by volunteers and preserved, Naval Aviation Museum, Nowra as 207/K
5/07 Museum now named Fleet Air Arm Museum and acft displayed as 238/K

CURRENT (2012)

WJ112 AS.6 F.8816 RN History
2/7/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
23/7/51 tested
9/51 1840 Sqn, Ford (Channel Air Div, RNVR)
1/52 – 7/52 1830 Sqn, Donibristle (Scottish Air Div, RNVR)
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow for passage.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
20/3/53 Schofields for storage
23/3/54 Nowra for storage
2/6/54 Engine fire during test flight so pilot made emergency wheels-up ldg, Nowra (Lt J.R. Salthouse, RAN)
6/3/55 Classified as instructional airframe Class II
17/5/56 reclassified as instructional airframe Class III
6/8/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WJ113 AS.6 F.8817 RN History
2/7/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
7/51 1840 Sqn, Ford (Channel Air Div RNVR) (212/FD)
1/52 – 7/52 1830 Sqn, Donibristle (Scottish Ait Div RNVR) (-/DO)
? Fairey, Hamble
11/12/52 AHU Abbotsinch

 

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow for passage.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
19/3/53 Schofields for storage
18/6/53 816 Sqn (230/K)
29/3/53 Tail oleo fractured during ldg HMAS SYDNEY (Lt Cdr W.G. Herbert, RAN)
22/4/54 Damaged
21/6/54 Nowra for storage
26/8/54 851 Sqn
5/9/55 Nowra for storage
5/9/57 Awaiting disposal
6/3/59 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to T. Carr & Co, Sydney.

WJ121 AS.6 F.8825 (The last AS.6 produced)

 

RN History
15/9/51 First flight
20/9/51 Delivered to RDU Anthorn
11/51 – 9/52 814 Sqn
4/6/52 Port undercarriage collapsed, Machrihanish (Lt Cdr J.A. McColgan)
29/8/52 Aileron jammed, pilot made precautionary ldg at Machrihanish (Lt B.P. Walker)
1/53 Machrihanish
1/53 AHU Abbotsinch

RAN History
13/1/53 Transferred to RAN
21/1/53 Embarked in HMAS VENGEANCE at King George V Docks, Glasgow for passage.
11/3/53 Arrived Sydney
17/3/53 Schofields for storage
23/3/54 Nowra for storage
17/7/54 816 Sqn
27/4/55 Nowra for storage
12/10/56 Damaged
31/1/57 Awaiting disposal
4/4/57 Sold for scrap through Dept of Supply to Fitz-Gibbon and Garthon, Caringbah, NSW.