RNAS Portland
Encyclopedia
RNAS
Portland was an air station of the Royal Navy
from 1917.
The site was first built in 1917 as HMS Sarepta within the confines of Portland Harbour
as a seaplane base; the aircraft operating from the base's slipways. In 1919 No. 241 Squadron RAF
(formed from RNAS flights operating there in 1918) was disbanded and aviation operations ceased.
In 1946, Hoverfly R-4Bs moved in, the base's playing fields were taken over as a landing ground and it became the site of the modern heliport. 815 Naval Air Squadron
flew its 12 Whirlwinds
in from RNAS Eglinton on 14 April 1959 and the station was formally commissioned as HMS Osprey on 24 April 1959.
The base was gradually improved over the years, with the addition of a (short) main runway and landing spots. It has been the home of the small ships' flight Wasp
, Wessex
and Lynx
fleet and at one point, the slipway was used by hovercraft.
As the base wound down, Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST
) moved to Plymouth (HMS Drake
). The Royal Navy closed HMS Osprey on 31 March 1999.
When HMS Osprey closed, the RN School of Helicopter Control moved to its new premises at HMS Heron (RNAS Yeovilton
) and the Fleet Target Group moved to HMS Seahawk (RNAS Culdrose
) and became 792 Naval Air Squadron
in Nov 2001.
Portland is also famous for having one of the shortest runways (04/22 at 229 m) in England. Although the naval establishment has closed, the heliport remains available for the HM Coastguard SAR flight.
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
Portland was an air station of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
from 1917.
The site was first built in 1917 as HMS Sarepta within the confines of Portland Harbour
Portland Harbour
Portland Harbour is located beside the Isle of Portland, off Dorset, on the south coast of England. It is one of the largest man-made harbours in the world. Grid reference: .-History:...
as a seaplane base; the aircraft operating from the base's slipways. In 1919 No. 241 Squadron RAF
No. 241 Squadron RAF
No. 241 Squadron is a former squadron of the Royal Air Force formed during the First World War.-History:No. 241 Squadron was formed in August 1918 from the former Royal Naval Air Service flights operating at the RNAS seaplane station at the Isle of Portland and their airfield at Chickerell;...
(formed from RNAS flights operating there in 1918) was disbanded and aviation operations ceased.
In 1946, Hoverfly R-4Bs moved in, the base's playing fields were taken over as a landing ground and it became the site of the modern heliport. 815 Naval Air Squadron
815 Naval Air Squadron
815 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, part of the Royal Navy. The squadron is currently based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, United Kingdom and it is the Navy's front line Lynx Naval Air Squadron. It currently comprises more than 30 Lynx helicopters of various types...
flew its 12 Whirlwinds
Westland Whirlwind
Westland Whirlwind may mean:* Westland Whirlwind , a fixed wing Second World War fighter aircraft* Westland Whirlwind , a post-war helicopter based on the Sikorsky S-55...
in from RNAS Eglinton on 14 April 1959 and the station was formally commissioned as HMS Osprey on 24 April 1959.
The base was gradually improved over the years, with the addition of a (short) main runway and landing spots. It has been the home of the small ships' flight Wasp
Westland Wasp
The Westland Wasp was a British small first-generation, gas-turbine powered, shipboard anti-submarine helicopter. Produced by Westland Helicopters, it came from the same P.531 programme as the British Army Westland Scout, and was based on the earlier piston-engined Saunders-Roe Skeeter...
, Wessex
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
and Lynx
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
fleet and at one point, the slipway was used by hovercraft.
As the base wound down, Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST
Flag Officer Sea Training
Flag Officer Sea Training is a Royal Navy training organisation responsible for ensuring that Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are fit to join the operational fleet. FOST certifies crews and vessels as being sufficiently prepared for any eventuality through rigorous exercises and...
) moved to Plymouth (HMS Drake
HMNB Devonport
Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England...
). The Royal Navy closed HMS Osprey on 31 March 1999.
When HMS Osprey closed, the RN School of Helicopter Control moved to its new premises at HMS Heron (RNAS Yeovilton
RNAS Yeovilton
Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, or RNAS Yeovilton, is an airfield of the Royal Navy, sited in South West England a few miles north of Yeovil in Somerset...
) and the Fleet Target Group moved to HMS Seahawk (RNAS Culdrose
RNAS Culdrose
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose , based in Cornwall, near Helston, on the Lizard Peninsula, has three major roles: serving the Fleet Air Arm's front line Sea King and Merlin helicopter squadrons; providing search and rescue for the South West region; and training specialists for the Royal Navy...
) and became 792 Naval Air Squadron
792 Naval Air Squadron
792 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy was originally formed at St. Merryn in August 1939 as an Air Target Unit, equipped with six Blackburn Skuas. The squadron disbanded in 1945 and merged with 794 Naval Air Squadron....
in Nov 2001.
Portland is also famous for having one of the shortest runways (04/22 at 229 m) in England. Although the naval establishment has closed, the heliport remains available for the HM Coastguard SAR flight.