The Royal Navy Historic Flight was established at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in 1972 in order to preserve Naval heritage, and to be a living memorial to all Fleet Air Arm personnel, especially those who gave their lives in maintaining the freedom of our nation. The first aircraft to join this unique collection was Swordfish II LS326, which was presented to the Royal Navy in 1960 by the Westland Aircraft Company at Yeovil. This was followed in 1971 by the presentation of a Sea Fury FB.11 to the Royal Navy by Hawker-Siddeley Aviation. In 1972 the Sea Fury was joined at Heron Flight by Fairey Firefly AS.5 WB271, the units looking after the three aircraft merged into one, and so the Historic Flight was born.

Sea Fury VR930 and Sea Hawk WV908 being prepared for another display [© Lee Howard]

In 1976 the Flight acquired a second Sea Fury - WG655, a T.20 two-seat trainer donated by the Federal German Government who had used the aircraft in a target towing role. Also in 1976 work began at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose - which bears the name HMS Seahawk - to restore Sea Hawk FGA.6 WV908 to flying condition, a task which completed in 1978. Thereafter it flew from its Cornish base for several years before being transferred to the RNHF collection. After a few display seasons the aircraft was placed in storage in 1989 until 1995 when it was transferred to British Aerospace's Dunsfold works for restoration, returning to the Flight in October 1996.

In 1990 British Aerospace bought the remains of Swordfish I W5856 from the Strathallan Collection in Scotland and, having restored it to pristine flying condition, presented it back to the RNHF in 1993. Sadly both Sea Furies were lost in accidents in 1989/1990, and the Firefly in 2003. Thankfully British Aerospace once more came to the Flight's aid and restored the remains of Sea Fury FB.11 VR930 at their Brough works, returning the aircraft in an as-new condition to the Flight in 1997. A third Swordfish is currently also under rebuild at Brough.

In 1995 all Service personnel employed to maintain the aircraft were replaced with a team of civilians, and the Flight became partially self-financing. The Swordfish Heritage Trust (now the Fly Navy Heritage Trust) was set up as a charitable institution to oversee fund raising and make grants to the RNHF to pay for permanent staff salaries. The Flight's only other sources of income are fees from flying displays, donations and sponsorship from aerospace industry companies and the general public.

The full time civilian staff who run the financial, engineering and administrative, logistic and operational support aspects of the Flight's business comprise the General Manager, Chief Engineer, Business Co-ordinator, Stores Liaison and 6 Supervisors/Fitters. All pilots serving in the Flight, including the Commanding Officer, are serving Royal Navy pilots who fly the aircraft on a voluntary basis in addition to their normal flying duties in other Fleet Air Arm units.

The Uniqueness of the RNHF Aircraft Collection

The Royal Navy Historic Flight aircraft collection is unique and forms a major part of our national heritage for two main reasons:

Swordfish W5856 in the colourful markings of 810 Sqn. [© Lee Howard]

Firstly, the aircraft are historically significant. During the Second World War Swordfish aircraft accounted for the sinking of over 300,000 tons of enemy (Axis powers) shipping - more than any other single Allied aircraft type, and thereby made the most important maritime airpower contribution towards the Allies winning the Battle of the Atlantic and in gaining seapower supremacy in the Mediterranean. Sea Fury aircraft fought with distinction during the Korean War, helping to provide the spearhead of British Forces' ground attack air offensive operations. One Sea Fury had the distinction of being the first United Nations piston engined aircraft to shoot down the much faster MiG 15 jet, and it remains to this day the fastest production single piston engine-powered military aircraft in the World. The Sea Hawk was the Royal Navy's first truly successful fighter/ground attack jet aircraft and made the greatest contribution to the success of British ground attack forces during the Suez campaign on 1956.