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No.824 Sqn FAA Founded :
Fleet Air Arm
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No.824 Sqn FAA
| Aircraft for : No.824 Sqn FAA | |||
| A list of all aircraft known to have been flown by No.824 Sqn FAA. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | |||
| Squadron | Info | ||
Manufacturer : Fairey Number Built : 2399 | Swordfish Torpedo bomber and reconnaissance biplane, crewed by three, with a top speed of 154mph, reduced to 136mph as a float plane. Maximum ceiling 19,000 feet, reduced as a float plane. Armed with a .303 Vickers machine gun fixed forward and one in the rear cockpit. One 1610lb torpedo or up to 1500lb bomb load. At the outbreak of world war two the fleet air arm had 13 operational squadrons. The Fairey Swordfish has earned its place in history for major contributions to naval warfare, during the Norwegian campaign, and especially during the raid on Taranto. In November1940, twenty Swordfish took off from HMS Illustrious to attack the Italian fleet in their Harbour of Taranto. At Least nine torpedoes hit their targets. Seven Italian ships were badly damaged including the battleships, Caio Duillio, Littorio and Conte De Cavour. This was followed in February 1942, by a heroic but suicidal attack on German battlecruisers in the English Channel by six Swordfish of 825 squadron from RAF Manston. All aircraft and crews were lost. This resulted in a Victoria Cross for the leader Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde. The next major event was the torpedo attack on the Bismarck by Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal, which badly damaged the steering gear of the Bismarck which helped in the final destruction of the German battleship by Royal Navy battleships. The Fairey Swordfish was also used in anti-submarine and anti-shipping roles. The Swordfish sunk more enemy ships (by tonnage) than any other aircraft acting in the same role. By the end of the war the Fleet Air Arm still had nine active squadrons, but these were finally disbanded in May 1945. A total of 2399 Swordfish were built. | ||
| Signatures for : No.824 Sqn FAA | |||
| A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | |||
| Name | Info | ||
  Lieutenant Commander John William Jock Moffat RN Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Lieutenant Commander John William Jock Moffat RN | Lieutenant Commander John William Jock Moffat RN John Moffat was born in Kelso in 1919 and at the outbreak of WWII, was sent to Sydenham, Belfast where a training school, set up by Short Brothers, was based. John learnt to fly in a Miles Magister. During 1939, he was sent to No.1 Flying Training School at Netheravon and here he was taught to fly advanced open-cockpit aircraft such as Hawker Hinds and Audaxes. Commissioned into the RNVR as a sub-lieutenant he was moved to Eastlee (now Southampton Airport) to the Naval Fighter School, learning fighter techniques in Blackburn Skuas and Rocs and the well-known Gloster Gladiator. In 1940, John was moved to Sanderling, the Royal Naval air station at Abbotsinch (now known as Glasgow Airport). In 1941, on board HMS Ark Royal stationed at Gibraltar, they were ordered to assist in the hunt for Bismarck and Prinz Eugen. The aircraft headed first to HMS Sheffield who gave them signals by Aldis Lamp on the position of the Bismarck. John Moffat served on HMS Ark Royal, HMS Argus, HMS Furious and HMS Formidable, and served with 759 Sqn, 818 Sqn, 820 Sqn and 824 Sqn. | ||
 Commander Sidney Hal Jim Suthers DSC DFC RN Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by Commander Sidney Hal Jim Suthers DSC DFC RN
| Commander Sidney Hal Jim Suthers DSC DFC RN Joined the Air Branch of the Royal Navy in January 1939 and gained his pilot’s wings in July 1940. Joined 824 Naval Air Squadron operating Swordfish from HMS Eagle in January 1941. Operations in Red Sea, Indian Ocean, South Atlantic and Mediterranean until September 1942. Instructional duties thereafter until the end of World War II. Post war he converted to helicopters commanding 705 and 848 (Malaya) Naval Air Squadrons. Sadly, Jim Suthers passed away on 22nd February 2007. | ||
Captain Roy C Swales BSc RN Click the name above to see prints signed by Captain Roy C Swales BSc RN | Captain Roy C Swales BSc RN Captain Roy C Swales BSc RN entered BRNC Dartmouth in May 1959, passing out as an Acting Sub Lieutenant in 1961. Served in HMS Scarborough and selected for helicopter pilot training in 1962. Flying training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, RNAS Culdrose and RNAS Portland between 1963-64. Served with 829 and 826 Squadrons between 1964-67, in the Far East, Mediterranean and Home before a two year USN exchange at NAS Key West, Florida. Joined 700S Squadron flying Sea King Mk1 at RNAS Culdrose between 1969-70. Commanded HMS Upton (minesweeper) 1971-72. Senior Pilot 819 Squadron, HMS Gannet 1973-74 before joining 824 Squadron as Senior Pilot on board HMS Ark Royal 1974-75. Joined the Staff of Flag Officer Naval Air Command twice (1975-77 and 1978-80) and became CO 706 Squadron 1977-78. Appointed to Directorate of Naval Air Warfare, MoD 1982-84, and was Commander (Air) at RNAS Portland 1985-86. Appointed Captain, he was Senior Military Coordinator at Defence Operational Analysis Establishment 1986-88 and then joined the International Military Staff at NATO HQ, Brussels until he returned to the MoD for his last appointment as Deputy Director for Naval Aviation Requirements in the Directorate of Operational Requirements (Sea) in 1991. He retired from the Active List in 1993. In 1997 he gained a BSc (First Class Honours) through the Open University. He is an active volunteer with the Records and Research Centre at the Fleet Air Arm Museum. | ||
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