RNAS Calshot

RNAS Calshot was a First World War Royal Navy air station for seaplanes and flying boats, mainly operating as an experimental and training station, but also providing anti-submarine and convoy protection patrols.

It was located at the end of Calshot Spit in Southampton Water, at gbmapping|SU487024, with the landing area sheltered by the mainland, to the west, north and east, and the Isle of Wight a few miles away to the south on the other side of the Solent.

History

Royal Flying Corps

The station was originally established on 29 March,1913 by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), [http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-C.htm RAF Calshot - Air of Authority, A History of RAF Organisation.] ] as Calshot Naval Air Station, for the purpose of testing seaplanes for the RFC Naval wing. [ [http://daveg4otu.tripod.com/airfields/cal.html Hampshire Airfields - daveg4otu.tripod.com.] ] The first aircraft to arrive was a Sopwith Bat-Boat, and one of the first buildings constructed - the Sopwith Hangar - is still in use today. [http://www.southernlife.org.uk/calshot.htm The history of the villages of Hampshire, England, and surrounding counties - Southern Life (UK).] ] [ [http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c27723.html Report on Calshot Heritage and Visitor Centre, 18 June 1998 - Hampshire County Council.] ]

Royal Naval Air Service

In July 1914 the Royal Navy reformed its air branch, naming it the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), [ [http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/History/Index.htm Naval Aviation History & FAA Origins - Fleet Air Arm Archive] ] and took over the base and its development and training functions. After the start of World War I, the station's role expanded to take on the protection of shipping in the English Channel, and a variety of flying-boats and seaplanes were introduced, including the Wight Seaplane and the Short 184. Calshot was also used for training on observer kite balloons and airships. [ [http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/daedalus/History_WW1.html WW1 History of the former HMS Daedalus Royal Naval Air Station.] ]

A major rebuild took place in 1917 when new buildings, offices and workshops were constructed by the Henry Boot Company. [ [http://www.henryboot.co.uk/corporate/history.aspx?s=corporate&p=history Henry Boot PLC history] ] The largest hangar - Sunderland Hangar - is now home to the Calshot Activities Centre.

By 1918 there were two flights of Felixstowe flying boats and a flight of seaplanes, and together they managed to exceed 9,000 hours of patrol flights in a three month period. Out of 42 U-boats reported, 3 were sunk.

Royal Air Force

On 1 April,1918 the RFC and the RNAS combined to form the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the station became home to the headquarters of No. 10 Group RAF. The three flights that were based at Calshot became No. 240 Squadron RAF.

After the war, the station became home to the "RAF School of Naval Co-operation and Aerial Navigation" and on 5 February,1922 was renamed RAF Base Calshot.

*For later history, see RAF Calshot.

References

ee also

*RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus)
*List of seaplanes and flying boats - United Kingdom
*Seaplane bases in the United Kingdom