766 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was to have initially formed in 1939 at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, as a Seaplane School, however, it formed at HMS Landrail, RNAS Machrihannish, as a Night ALT Course, in 1942. It moved to HMS Nightjar, RNAS Inskip, in 1943, to become part of No. 1 Naval Operational Training Unit. By 1944, it was operating over 30 Swordfish aircraft, but, during the year, also acquired Firefly aircraft from 1772 NAS, and Sea Hurricane aircraft from 760 NAS. It moved to HMS Merganser, RNAS Rattray, early in 1946, but later that year, moved to HMS Fulmar, RNAS Lossiemouth, where it received Seafire aircraft, along with being Part 1 of the Operational Flying School. By late 1951, Sea Fury trainer aircraft were also added to its varied list of types operated. In 1953, the squadron moved to HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose, where it disbanded in 1954.
De Havilland DH110 Sea Vixen FAW.2 'XP924 - E-134', an example of the type operated by 766 NAS
Fairey Swordfish I 'W5856-4A, an example of the type used by 766 NAS
Supermarine Seafire F Mk XVII of the type used by 766 NAS
Sea Vixen, an example of the FAW.2 used by 766 NAS
The Fairey Albacore is a single-engine biplane torpedo bomber designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Fairey Aviation. It was primarily operated by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA) during the Second World War.
Fairey Albacore
Albacore in flight circa 1940
A Fairey Albacore Mk I of 820 Naval Air Squadron operating from HMS Formidable during the North African landings, November 1942
Albacore (N4389) at the Fleet Air Arm Museum