Themes

806 Squadron : The Royal Navy goes to North America

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• 806 Squadron: the Royal Navy goes to America

• 738 Squadron: Red Seahawks.

• Naval Fighter School: Fred's Five.

• 892 Squadron: Simon's Sircus.

• 705 Squadron: The Sharks.

• 702 Squadron: The Black Cats.

Forming the team

806 Squadron was re-formed in 1948 as the official Royal Navy Aerobatic Team with three Sea Hornet F.20s, a Sea Vampire and two Sea Furies. All pilots were hand-picked by the Commanding Officer Lt Cdr D. B. Law. On the 25 May 1948 the team sailed with their aircraft onboard HMCS Magnificent for a tour of North America.

Flying at Idlewild Airport

The Sea Vampire, flown by Lieutenant Commander Law was the first aircraft to fly into the new Idlewild Airport in New York. The team went on to take part in the opening ceremony of Idlewild. The Airport later became known as J F Kennedy Airport.

Air Displays

In the summer of 1948, during their tour of North America, 806 Squadron set the precedent for the high standard of Naval areobatic displays we have come to expect today. They caused a sensation in the USA as the US pilots had nothing to compare.

Displays were performed at Dorval, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara Falls as well as New York.