Royal Naval Air Station Kai Tak, (RNAS Kai Tak; or HMS Nabcatcher, later HMS Flycatcher) was a former Royal Navy (RN) airbase, located at the airfield at Kai Tak Airport, Kowloon, British Hong Kong. It was the location for Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB) VIII, which was situated here between 1945 and 1947, commissioned as HMS Nabcatcher. In August 1946, its status was downgraded to RN Air Section Kai Tak, with its accounts maintained under HMS Tamar, the Royal Navy's shore base in Hong Kong. On the first day of April 1947, HMS Nabcatcher was decommissioned, and concurrently, the Air Section was re-commissioned as HMS Flycatcher. At the end of December, HMS Flycatcher was officially decommissioned, resulting in a reduction of the Royal Navy's presence at the airfield to a Care and Maintenance status, with a notice period of 18 months.
| RNAS Kai Tak (HMS Flycatcher) HMS Nabcatcher Mobile Operational Naval Air Base VIII  | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at Kai Tak Airport, in Kowloon, on the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong | |||||||||
 Kai Tak Airport with runway 13/31 extension project, 1950s | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
  RNAS Kai Tak Location of RNAS Kai Tak within Hong Kong | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 22°19′43″N 114°11′39″E / 22.32861°N 114.19417°E | ||||||||
| Type | Mobile Operational Naval Air Base | ||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||
| Owner | British Hong Kong | ||||||||
| Operator |  Royal Navy (1945-1948) | ||||||||
| Controlled by | Fleet Air Arm (1945-1948) | ||||||||
| Site history | |||||||||
| In use | 1945–1978 (Fleet Air Arm)
| ||||||||
| Fate | MONAB decommissioned and removed | ||||||||
| Battles/wars | |||||||||
| Garrison information | |||||||||
| Garrison |
| ||||||||
| Occupants | Flying units:
Support functions:
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| Airfield information | |||||||||
| Elevation | 10 feet (3.0 m) AMSL | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Source: Royal Navy Research Archive[1][2] | |||||||||
History
editThe Royal Navy at Kai Tak (1939-1941)
editOn 24 May 1939, the control of all Fleet Air Arm squadrons and flights was transferred to the Admiralty, while the Royal Air Force granted lodger rights at Kai Tak. No. 715 Catapult Flight, which had been established at RAF Kai Tak in 1936, was by this point engaged in operations with Supermarine Walrus amphibious maritime patrol aircraft across a number of Royal Navy cruisers, utilising Kai Tak as its shore base.[3]
715 Naval Air Squadron represented the sole Royal Navy presence at the station at the onset of the Second World War in September 1939. Subsequently, on 21 January 1940, this squadron was integrated into 700 Naval Air Squadron, which assumed responsibility for all catapult aircraft operations.[4]
On 8 December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army initiated an offensive against Hong Kong, occurring hours subsequent to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The colony resisted for a duration of two weeks before surrendering on 25 December 1941.[5]
HMS Nabcatcher (1945-1947)
editPersonnel and equipment for Mobile Naval Air Base VIII commenced assembly in May 1945, at RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS Flycatcher), Hampshire. This mobile air base was designated as a Fighter Support MONAB, functioning similarly to a conventional MONAB that provided support for both fighter aircraft and torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The technical components comprised Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 7, Mobile Servicing (MS) Nos. 13 and 14, as well as Mobile, Storage, and Reserve (MSR) No. 9, which provided support for the Supermarine Seafire, Vought Corsair, and Fairey Firefly fighter aircraft.[6]
MONAB VIII was the inaugural unit permitted to conduct a trial run camp aimed at equipping the advance party for the preliminary responsibilities associated with establishing the unit at its operational base. This trial camp occurred at Cranford, located in proximity to Middle Wallop, from 8 to 11 June. The undertaking included twelve officers with one hundred and ten ratings, who assembled tents, Dorland Hangars, and various other equipment. MONAB VIII was commissioned as HMS Nabcatcher on 1 July 1945, with Captain V.N. Surtees, DSO, RN, serving as the commanding officer.[6]
In July personnel boarded the SS Majola, which departed for Sydney. Subsequently, the stores, equipment, and vehicles were loaded onto the SS Empire Chieftain, which departed on 7 July. The announcement of Japan's surrender was while at sea, leading to the celebration of V-J Day during the voyage. On 31 August, the SS Majola arrived in Sydney, where the MONAB personel transferred to HMS Golden Hind to await the assignment of an operational base. During this period, they were temporarily housed in tents at Warwick Racecourse. With the conclusion of the war, MONAB VIII was deemed unnecessary for operations in Australia. Consequently, it was scheduled for transfer to Hong Kong, where it would be established at Kai Tak airport to facilitate the reopening of the airfield and to offer shore-based support to the British Pacific Fleet units stationed in the region.[6]
The advance contingent of MONAB VIII was transported aboard the escort carrier HMS Slinger, which set sail for Hong Kong on 5 September. The SS Empire Chieftain reached Sydney two days prior, on 3 September and departed for Hong Kong on the 15. Meanwhile, Mobile, Storage, and Reserve (MSR) No. 9 was loaded onto the escort carrier HMS Reaper for its journey to Hong Kong, which commenced on 28 September.[1]
MONAB VIII commissioned Kai Tak airfield as RNAS Kai Tak, HMS Nabcatcher, on 26 September. This unit was intended to function similarly to those in Australia, offering shore facilities for disembarked squadrons and ultimately managing a Fleet Requirements Unit. The Royal Air Force also commenced operations from this location. It was determined that the station would be jointly utilised, featuring two distinct camp and maintenance areas. The airfield was divided, with the RAF occupying the eastern section, which included pre-war airfield structures, while the Royal Navy utilised the western, undeveloped area for the installation of MONAB equipment. Furthermore, it was stipulated that the RAF would maintain exclusive control over Air Traffic Control.[7]
1701 Naval Air Squadron headquarters was established at RNAS Kai Tak on 1 November 1945[8] and 721 Naval Air Squadron, a Fleet Requirements Unit arrived on 11 January 1946 on the escort carrier HMS Speaker.[9]
In August 1946, there was a reduction in the naval presence at the station. 1701 Naval Air Squadron was officially disbanded on 27 August,[8] with its Supermarine Sea Otter aircraft transferred to 721 Naval Air Squadron, the Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU).[9] The same day Mobile Operational Naval Air Base VIII (MONAB VIII) was no longer recognised as an independent command, being downgraded to the status of RN Air Section Kai Tak. The ships account for Nabcatcher was maintained at HMS Tamar, the Royal Navy's base in Hong Kong.[7]
At the beginning of October, the aircraft carrier HMS Glory docked in Hong Kong, where it disembarked its squadrons: 806 Naval Air Squadron, which was equipped with Seafire F Mk XV fighter aircraft and 837 Naval Air Squadron, which had Firefly FR.I fighter reconnaissance aircraft.[10] The squadrons re-embarked at the beginning of November, with 837 Naval Air Squadron returning to the ship on the 4. followed by 806 Naval Air Squadron two days later.[11]
On 8 November 1946, command of HMS Nabcatcher was transferred to Commander (A) W.H.N. Martin, RN, who also assumed the role of Fleet Aviation Officer (FAO) for the British Pacific Fleet.[2] On 27 November, more Seafire F Mk XV fighter aircraft arrived at the station when 802 Naval Air Squadron disembarked from HMS Venerable and they were joined by 806 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Glory on 19 December.[12]
HMS Flycatcher (1947)
editThe two Supermarine Seafire equipped squadrons remained at RNAS Kai Tak until 12 February 1947, at which point they rejoined their respective aircraft carriers.[13] HMS Nabcatcher resumed its primary function of conducting FRU flights until 1 April, when a further administrative shift took place. On that day, Nabcatcher was decommissioned, and the Air Section was re-commissioned as HMS Flycatcher, a designation previously associated with the two MONAB formation stations in the United Kingdom, while accounts continued to be managed by HMS Tamar.[7]
The RN Air Section at Kai Tak marked the conclusion of its operations with the arrival of its final disembarked squadron on 20 October 1947. On this date, Supermarine Seafire F Mk XV fighter aircraft from 804 Naval Air Squadron flew ashore from the aircraft carrier HMS Theseus, subsequently re-embarking on November 4.[14] By this juncture, a decision had been made to terminate the operations of the RN Air Section. The Fleet Requirements Unit was officially disbanded on 31 December[9] and HMS Flycatcher was decommissioned on 31 December. Following these events, the facilities of the RN Air Section at Kai Tak were downgraded to a 'care and maintenance' status, with an 18-month notice period established for potential reopening. However, this option was never pursued, although the rights to disembark Royal Navy squadrons at the airfield were preserved.[7]
Commanding officers
editList of commanding officers of HMS Nabcatcher with date of appointment:
Units based at HMS Nabcatcher
editList of units associated with MONAB VIII, in support of disembarked fighter squadrons:
Function
edit- Support for disembarked fighter squadrons, an air-sea rescue squadron and a Fleet Requirements Unit
Aviation support components
edit- Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 7
- Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 13
- Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 14
- Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 9
Aircraft type supported
edit- Grumman Avenger Mk.I & II
- Fairey Barracuda Mk II
- Vought Corsair Mk II & IV
- Fairey Firefly I
- Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & II
- Supermarine Seafire F Mk III, L Mk III & F Mk XV
Squadrons at HMS Nabcatcher
editA list of the Fleet Air Arm's aviation units that were either stationed at or deployed to RNAS Kai Tak (HMS Nabcatcher) and MONAB VIII.
Based squadrons
edit- 721 Naval Air Squadron a Fleet Requirements Unit which disembarked from HMS Speaker on 11 January 1946 and was disbanded on 31 December 1947. The unit was equipped with a combination of Vultee Vengeance, Vought Corsair, Supermarine Seafire and de Havilland Tiger Moth aircraft. Subsequently, it took over the Supermarine Sea Otter aircraft from 1701 Naval Air Squadron.[9]
- 1701 Naval Air Squadron was a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron performing Second Line duties. It had its headquarters flight established on 1 November 1945. 'A' Flight disembarked from HMS Striker on 16 November 1945, while 'B' Flight had disembarked from HMS Reaper on 13 October 1945. It was equipped with six Supermarine Sea Otter, one de Havilland Tiger Moth and one Airspeed Oxford. The squadron was disbanded on 27 August 1946.[8]
Disembarked squadrons
editTorpedo, Bomber, Reconnaissance Squadron
edit- 814 Naval Air Squadron, a Torpedo, Bomber, and Reconnaissance Squadron, disembarked from HMS Venerable on 3 September 1945. The squadron re-embarked on 13 October, equipped with Fairey Barracuda Mk II aircraft. Subsequently, the squadron disembarked again from HMS Venerable on 27 November 27 1946 and re-embarked on 2 January 1947, this time equipped with Fairey Firefly FR.I. aircraft.[15]
- 812 Naval Air Squadron, which was a Torpedo, Bomber, and Reconnaissance Squadron, disembarked from HMS Vengeance on 14 October 1945, and re-embarked on 20 December. The squadron was equipped with Fairey Barracuda Mk II aircraft.[16]
- 827 Naval Air Squadron was a Torpedo, Bomber, and Reconnaissance Squadron. A detachment of six aircraft was deployed from HMS Colossus during the period of 15 October to 18 October 1945. This unit was equipped with Fairey Barracuda Mk I aircraft.[17]
- 837 Naval Air Squadron, a Torpedo, Bomber, and Reconnaissance Squadron, disembarked from HMS Glory on 1 October 1946. The squadron re-embarked on 4 November and subsequently disembarked again from HMS Glory on 19 December 1946. They re-embarked on 14 February 1947 and was equipped with Fairey Firefly FR.I aircraft.[18]
Fighter Squadron
edit- 802 Naval Air Squadron, a Single Seat Fighter Squadron, disembarked from HMS Venerable on 27 November 1946 and re-embarked on 12 February 1947. The squadron was equipped with Supermarine Seafire F.XV fighter aircraft.[19]
- 806 Naval Air Squadron, a Single Seat Fighter Squadron, disembarked from HMS Glory on 1 October 1946 and re-embarked on 6 November 1946. The squadron disembarked again from HMS Glory on 19 December, before re-embarking on 14 February 1947. At that time, the squadron was equipped with Supermarine Seafire F Mk XV fighter aircraft.[20]
- 1846 Naval Air Squadron deployed a detachment from HMS Colossus from 12 October to 18 October 1945. The Single Seat Fighter Squadron was equipped with Vought Corsair Mk IV aircraft.[21]
- 1850 Naval Air Squadron was a Single Seat Fighter Squadron, which disembarked from HMS Vengeance on 3 October 1945 and re-embarked on 20 December, operating with Vought Corsair Mk IV aircraft.[22]
- 1851 Naval Air Squadron was a Single Seat Fighter Squadron. A detachment of eight aircraft from HMS Venerable was re-embarked on 18 October 1945, after initially disembarking on 3 September. The squadron was equipped with Vought Corsair Mk IV aircraft.[23]
Squadrons at HMS Flycatcher
editA list of the Fleet Air Arm's aviation units that were either stationed at or deployed to RN Air Section Kai Tak (HMS Flycatcher).
- 804 Naval Air Squadron, a Single Seat Fighter Squadron, disembarked from HMS Theseus on 20 October 1947 and re-embarked on 4 November. The squadron was equipped with Supermarine Seafire F.XV aircraft.[14]
References
editCitations
edit- ^ a b "MONAB VIII - HMS Nabcatcher". Royal Navy Research Archive - The MONAB Story - A history of the mobile airfields of the Royal Navy. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Kai Tak". Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 21.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 2.
- ^ Fairburn 1991, p. 97.
- ^ a b c Hobbs 2007, p. 150.
- ^ a b c d Hobbs 2007, p. 151.
- ^ a b c Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 275.
- ^ a b c d Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 26.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 123.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, pp. 205, 123.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, pp. 113, 124.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, pp. 113&124.
- ^ a b Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 118.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 144.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 138.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 188.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 205.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 113.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, pp. 123&124.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 297.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 298.
- ^ Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 299.
Bibliography
edit- Ballance, Theo; Howard, Lee; Sturtivant, Ray (2016). The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm. Air Britain Historians Limited. ISBN 978-0-85130-489-2.
- Fairburn, Tony (1991). Action Stations Overseas. Yeovil, Somerset, UK: Patrick Stephens Limited (Haynes Publishing Group). ISBN 1-85260-319-4.
- Hobbs, David (2007). Moving Bases Royal Navy Maintenance Carriers and MONABs. Liskeard, Cornwall, UK: Maritime Books. ISBN 978-1-904459-30-9.