YEOVILTON LIFE: Many happy returns to HMS Heron

HMS HERON - also known as Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton – will be celebrating a milestone birthday tomorrow (June 18, 2015) .... 75 years after officially being commissioned.

The site at Yeovilton was initially identified Harald Penrose, Westland’s Chief Test Pilot who saw it as a prime candidate for a new factory in 1938.

AgustaWestland celebrates 100 years of aircraft manufacture this year, which began with a contract to build Short seaplanes for the Royal Naval Air Service and the company has had very close links with Yeovilton ever since it was built.

PHOTO – ABOVE: Lieutenant Commander Andy Thompson, Lieutenant Simon Wilson and Lt Cdr Matt Tazewell  -  these three crew both Swordfish and the Royal Navy’s Newest Wildcat Helicopter in the picture.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Seafire X4652 being refueled by petrol bowser at RNAS Yeovilton in September 1943.

Unfortunately for Westland, the Church Commissioners refused to sell to them and when war with Germany became inevitable the land was compulsorily purchased and building began of the first custom built naval air station since the end of the First World War.

One of the attractions of Yeovilton was that it was well away from the south east of England and less likely to be subjected to bombing by the Luftwaffe.

When RNAS Ford near Chichester was severely bombed in May 1940, No.1 Observer’s School took up temporary residence before the station was officially commissioned as HMS Heron on June 18, 1940, under Captain H.S. Murray Smith.

This year’s RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day on July 11, 2015, will carry Yeovilton 75 as its theme and will demonstrate the outstanding capability past and present of the Royal Navy alongside the Army, Royal Air Force and International Air Forces, an action packed Air Day not to be missed.

After 75 years of unstinting and unfailing contribution to defence HMS Heron continues to cement its position as one of the busiest military airfields in Europe a very Happy Birthday to You!

PHOTO – ABOVE: Fairey Swordfish W5856 – Royal Naval Historic Flight at RNAS Yeovilton.

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