Royal Navy Historic Flight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Navy Historic Flight |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1972 – 31 Mar 2019 |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Naval Historic Flight |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Garrison/HQ | RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) |
| Equipment | Fairey Swordfish Fairey Firefly Sea Fury Sea Hawk |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lieutenant-Commander Chris Götke AFC |
| Commodore-in-Chief | Prince Andrew, Duke of York |
The Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) was a special group that looked after old airplanes for the Royal Navy. These planes were important to British naval aviation history. The RNHF kept them flying until March 2019.
The RNHF was not part of the military. It was a charity run by civilians. Its home base was RNAS Yeovilton. The flight often showed off its aircraft at air shows.
After the RNHF closed, its planes were given to the Fly Navy Heritage Trust. This included a Swordfish, a Sea Fury, a Sea Hawk, and a Chipmunk. Now, the Fly Navy Heritage Trust uses money from charity events to keep these historic planes flying.
Contents
How the Historic Flight Started
The Royal Navy Historic Flight began in 1972 at RNAS Yeovilton. It became a home for several aircraft given to the Royal Navy over many years. The first plane was a Fairey Swordfish II, given in 1960.
In 1971, a Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 was donated. Then, in 1972, a Fairey Firefly AS.5 joined the collection. The groups that cared for these three planes then joined together. This formed the Historic Flight.
Growing the Collection and Keeping it Flying
Over time, the RNHF received more aircraft as gifts. These came from places like the German government and British Aerospace. Experts also helped to rebuild and fix the planes. Sadly, three aircraft were lost in accidents.
In 1995, civilian staff took over the ground jobs. But serving navy pilots still volunteered their free time to fly the planes. They used the Flight's DHC Chipmunk for training.
The Fly Navy Heritage Trust (also called Navy Wings) is a charity. It helped raise money for the RNHF's staff. The Flight also earned money from air shows and donations from people. Companies in the aerospace industry also helped with sponsorship.
The Royal Navy said the RNHF's goal was to keep these special planes flying. They wanted future generations to see, hear, and even smell these historic aircraft. This helped people understand those who built, fixed, and flew them in the past. The planes brought joy to many at air shows and taught young people about history.
The Royal Navy Historic Flight looked after several amazing aircraft. Each one has its own unique story. Here are some of the main types they cared for:
- Fairey Swordfish: This biplane (a plane with two sets of wings) was used during World War II. It was famous for its role in sinking the German battleship Bismarck. The RNHF had a few Swordfish planes, including one used for training.
- Fairey Firefly: This was a British carrier-borne fighter and anti-submarine aircraft. It was used after World War II. Sadly, one of the RNHF's Firefly planes was lost in an accident in 2003.
- Hawker Sea Fury: This powerful fighter plane was one of the last propeller-driven aircraft used by the Royal Navy. It was very fast and strong. The RNHF had different versions, including a two-seat trainer.
- Hawker Sea Hawk: This was one of the Royal Navy's first jet-powered fighter aircraft. It served in the 1950s and 1960s. The RNHF had one of these sleek jets.
- De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk: This smaller plane was used as a trainer. It helped pilots practice their flying skills for the historic aircraft.
Images for kids
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Mk.I Fairey Swordfish W5856 at Duxford in 2002.
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Mk.II Fairey Swordfish LS326 flying at Duxford Flying Legends in 2012.
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Mk.III Fairey Swordfish NF389 at Yeovilton in 1994.
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Hawker Sea Fury VX281 in 2011.
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Hawker Sea Fury VR930 at Duxford in 2006.
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Hawker Sea Hawk WV908 in 2008.
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De Havilland Chipmunk WK608 at Fairford in 2009.
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