APPENDIX D

The Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy

Composition and Expansion 1939-1945

(Numbers of Aircraft on the Strength of Front Line Units)

 

Role 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Type
Sept. April Sept. April Sept. April Sept. April Sept. April Sept. April Sept.
Fighter
Fighter/Dive Bomber
Fighter/Reconnaissance
36 59 78 130 129 175 252 257 339 513 645 826 739 Skua, Roc, Sea Gladiator, Fulmar, Sea Hurricane, Wildcat (Martlet in R.N.), Seafire, Hellcat, Corsair, Firefly
Torpedo/Bomber
Torpedo/Reconnaissance
140 149 169 184 198 196 209 255 349 479 549 500 205 Swordfish, Albacore, Avenger and Barracuda
Reconnaissance 56 56 63 60 60 75 85 66 19 1 2 10 15 Walrus, Seafox, Kingfisher, Sea Otter
TOTAL 232 264 310 374 387 446 546 578 707 993 1,196 1,336 959  
British Aircraft 232 264 310 362 346 416 453 470 409 554 623 599 483  
American Aircraft --- --- --- 12 41 30 93 108 298 439 573 737 476 Wildcat, Hellcat, Corsair, Avenger and Kingfisher
NOTE: The dependence of the Fleet Air Arm on U.S. naval aircraft is strikingly shown in the above figures. It will be observed that at the peak of its strength in April 1945 there was a majority of American aircraft in front line units. In general, these aircraft, which were the product of continuous development between the two wars, were found to be superior in performance and robustness to their British counterparts.

 

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