History 

Bermuda

RNAS Stretton

Flt Lt T. W. T. Blackwell, RAF

Sq Ldr A. A. Murray, RAF

Flt Lt J. C. Cockburn, RAF

Lt-Cdr  J. C. Cockburn, RN

Lt-Cdr W. H. Stevens, RN

Lt-Cdr S. J. Hall, DSC, RN

Lt-Cdr R. M. Crosley, DSC & Bar, RN

Lt-Cdr W. G. Cook, RN

History 

1936 - 1940
No. 718 (Catapult) Flight formed on 15. July 1936 from part of No.443 (Catapult) Flight for use on ships of the 8th Cruiser Squadron in the America and West Indies Station. Initial equipment was Fairey IIIFs and Ospreys, the former soon giving way to Walruses. Seafoxes arrived in August 1932, and the Ospreys were withdrawn the folloving year, the aircraft operating fron HMS Apollo, HMS Ajax, HMS Exeter, and HMS York. By this time squadron status had been granted, and whilst in the West Indies aircraft were based at Bernuda. By the outbreak of war the squadron was operating 5 Walruses and 6 Seafoxes in 6 cruisers, the departure of HMS Apollo from the station having been compensated by the addition of HMS Berwick, HMS Orion and HMAS Perth. The squadron lost its identity when it was absrbed into 700 NAS on 21. January 1940.

1944 - 1945
On 5. June 1944, 718 NAS reformed at Henstridge as an Army Co-operation taining Unit, being referred to by October 1944 as the Army Co-operation Naval Operational Training Unit. Its initial main equipment was 9 Seafire IIIs, but it also had 6 Spitfire PR.XIIIs for training photographic reconnaissance pilots. It operated an Army Co-operation couse in which suitable new pilots were trained in the various aspects of tactical reconnaissance techniques in order to supplement and replace experienced pilots in squadrons engaged in this activity. An Air Combat course was also operated, By April 1945 it had been restyled the School of Naval Air Reconnaissance, but on 17. August 1945 it moved to RNAS Ballybalbert as No.4 Naval Air Fighting School. Here Corsairs replaced the Spitfire PR.XIIIs, some Harvards also being flown. T'he squadron disbanded into 794 NAS on 1. November 1945.

1946 - 1947
718 NAS reformed at RNAS Eglinton on 23. August 1946 as a Seafire Conversion squadron. It was initially part of the 51st Training Air Group, but transferred to the 52nd Training Air Ghoup when the former disbanded in November 1946. Type conversion was given on Seafire IIIs and XVs, a few Harvards and Masters also being flown. The squadron disbanded at RNAS Eglinton on 17. March 1947.

1955
On 25. April 1955, 718 NAS reformed at RNAS Stretton in order to convert RNVR piston-engined pilots to jet aircraft. Equipped with Attackers and Sea Vampire T.22s, it was responsible for the conversion of 1831 NAS pilots at RNAS Stretton, after which it moved to RNAS Honiley in early 1955 in order to carry out the same task for 1833 NAS. This work completd, it disbanded at RNAS Honiley on 31. December 1955.

- Has anyone more Informations about this Squadron -