729 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA). It was active between 1945 and 1946 as an Instrument Flying Training Squadron, for service in the far east. It formed at HMS Godwit, RNAS Hinstock, Shropshire, England, as an offshoot of 758 Naval Air Squadron on New Year’s Day 1945. It didn’t began operations until mid-may at HMS Garuda, RNARY Combatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The following month the squadron moved to HMS Valluru, RNAS Tambaram, Tamil Nadu and this was followed in July with a move to HMS Rajaliya, RNAS Puttalam in Ceylon in then in late August setting at HMS Ukussa, RNAS Katukurunda, where it remained for almost twelve months before disbanding.
Airspeed Oxford, an example of the type used by 729 NAS
Supermarine Sea Otter ASR Mk.II RD892
RNAS Hinstock (HMS Godwit)
Royal Naval Air Station Hinstock is a former Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm station, located 4 miles (6 km) South West of Market Drayton in Shropshire, England. It was operational between 1941 and 1947, being used by both the Royal Air Force (1941-1942) and the Royal Navy (1942–1947).
WWII Shropshire: RAF/RNAS Hinstock/HMS Godwit - Control Tower. Standard naval four-storey control tower, restored as a home in recent times named 'HMS Godwit'