NMRN FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM SERVICE NARRATIVE REVIEWED BY THE COLLECTIONS RESEARCH AND LEARNING COMMITTEE OF THE TRUSTEES / 29 NOVEMBER 2017 NMRN FAAM SERVICE NARRATIVE Fleet Air Arm Museum ~ Service Narrative THE FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM tells the story of NARRATIVE demands of the 21st century, maintaining its ability to project air power from the sea in defence of the UK’s national British naval aviation from its earliest incarnations In 1909, the Royal Navy (RN) ordered its first airship, the interests and also, when called upon, in support of our allies. to the present day – its triumphs and failures, its Mayfly. Two years later, four officers of the RN, one a Royal Marine, became the first Navy pilots using aircraft borrowed ingenuity and innovation, its impact and from a civilian, Frank McClean. They and those who quickly Purpose 1 The Royal Navy’s new, state-of-the-art aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, 2017. importance. followed them were the pioneers tasked with developing the We tell the story of the origins of naval aviation, its cutting-edge and embryonic concept of operating aircraft at 2 Mechanics, Riggers, Pilot and Observer, around 1916. sea. From that time on, British naval aviation has continued development over time and its purpose today. We trace its to demonstrate and enhance those qualities and capabilities evolution from the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and its 3 Landing Royal Marines in Sierra Leone, Operation that make it unique – the innovation, self-reliance and original ‘Eyes in the Sky’ role to the multi-role operations of Silkman, 2000. adaptability necessary for operating aircraft far from the naval aircraft flying from the sea and ashore. We examine the supplies and support available at land-based air stations; the process by which aircraft developed from airships and flimsy, ability to navigate over vast expanses of open, featureless fabric covered machines to the high tech, multi-tasking, lethal ocean to reach a target and return to a ship; the pieces of hardware that they are today. We follow the way in development of aircraft robust and durable enough to which the concept of naval aviation led to the design of ships 2 withstand the rigours and challenges of carrier operations. capable of operating aircraft at sea effectively and how this, in turn, saw the role of the capital ship in fleet actions passing Fleet Air Arm (FAA) personnel have demonstrated their multi-functional service it is today. We explore the on-going from ‘big-gun’ battleships to the aircraft carrier. We also 3 ability to operate effectively in diverse roles and extreme threads of change and continuity in a service which has acknowledge the fact that although the FAA’s role may conditions around the world. From the treacherous waters evolved over time to meet the growing demands placed on it primarily be one of demonstrating military strength and of the Battle of the Atlantic to the deserts of Iraq, from the in an uncertain and volatile world. We acknowledge, enforcing the rule of law, it is also often called upon to be jungles of Borneo to the unforgiving terrain of Afghanistan, interrogate and celebrate the courage, sacrifice and the bringer of hope, comfort and assistance, carrying out from the perils of airborne search and rescue to the delivery resilience of the people who ensure the FAA’s narrative is humanitarian operations around the globe. of humanitarian aid, they have provided vital and powerful not simply one about the weaponry, the aircraft and the air support to troops on the ground, to those at sea and to ships that carry them but also one that demonstrates the Progress those in need. These roles they will continue to fulfil in the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and at its best. uncharted territory of the 21st century. It took well over 2000 years to get from the invention of Power the wheelbarrow (around 6th century BC) to development of The four themes of the Fleet Air Museum’s Service Narrative what would now be recognisable as a true automobile (late overlap and interconnect with the narratives of the other Aircraft carriers have come to symbolise a nation’s power, 19th century). In a little over 100 years, naval aviation has museums in the NMRN Group. prestige and standing in the world. We look at the way in progressed from elementary aircraft flying at 50mph to the which the aircraft carrier and the aircraft embarked in it high tech F35 Lightening II stealth fighter-bombers with a top People have enabled Britain’s RN not only to wage war but also speed of 1200mph, from rudimentary airships to the multi- enforce the peace. Since the first air raids launched from the talented Merlin helicopters. In that same time frame, aircraft The Fleet Air Arm Museum tells the story of the flying the First World War, naval aviation has capitalised on the fact carriers have advanced from cross-channel steamers converted branch of the RN, its men and women and its technology. that it can quickly provide air power from sea-based into seaplane carriers hoisting aircraft on and off to the new We explore the qualities needed for aircrews, flight deck platforms without the need for ground bases from which to Queen Elizabeth class carriers bristling with state-of-the art crews and ground crews – courage, loyalty, determination operate. From protecting the convoys in World War 2 to systems and equipment. We trace those developments and and innovation – whilst recognising that some may have providing a nuclear strike capability in the Cold War, from the impact they have had on Britain’s naval role around the fallen short of these expectations. We trace the development the re-taking of the Falkland Islands to supporting United world. We demonstrate the way in which the FAA of naval aviation from the embryonic days of early flight Nations-led (UN) operations in Eastern Europe and around continuously evolves so as to be a versatile, flexible force through times of war and peace to the highly skilled, the world, naval aviation developed and evolved throughout vital to effective RN operations with highly skilled personnel 1 manifestly professional, technologically sophisticated and the 20th century. It now continues to doso to meet the capable of fulfilling the many and varied demands made on it. 2 3 NMRN FAAM SERVICE NARRATIVE HISTORICAL NARRATIVE 1 The following sections sets out the key events/developments Power and not only in European countries with relatively close This historical narrative outlines in more detail our story which have been identified as a focus within our four proximity to home shores. within different periods; we will bring it to life through our themes. The ability to attack from the air enabled the fight to be museum galleries, collections, historic aircraft, special taken to the enemy. Airborne reconnaissance gave Purpose exhibitions, programmes, publications and partnerships. 190 0 ~1918 THE DAWN OF AIR WARFARE commanders on the ground or in ships a clearer understanding of what was happening far behind enemy The role of aircraft in the RN developed quickly from small Our story will be told using our museum collections, aircraft, People lines. Airships established the advantages of using aerial beginnings. By the end of the First World War, the principles buildings and affiliate organisations. means to drop bombs and ordnance on targets and aircraft of operating aircraft at sea in the way we see today had In 1903 the Admiralty recognised the potential advantages were quickly developed to do the same. Strikes against the been well established. RNAS aircraft were initially used for This matrix is designed to be an active tool for internal use of viewing the ground from the air and began investigating Zeppelin sheds at Dusseldorf, Friedrichshafen and Cuxhaven spotting for the guns and reconnaissance but the ability to which will help inform the decisions we need to make to Cody’s kites for use in reconnaissance. Their first airship, the were part of the first strategic bombing campaign and strike from above at targets on the ground, at sea or under bring this story to life – from collecting strategy, to updates Mayfly, was ordered in 1909 and two years later the RN’s demonstrated the capability of naval aviation to attack the the sea and in air-to-air combat was soon developed. The of permanent galleries, to more detailed site development first four pilots trained using borrowed aircraft and Lt enemy in its own back yard. With new weaponry such as RNAS led the way in developing strategic bombing and plans. The matrix divides our subject matter into four periods Charles Samson made the first take off from an RN ship. airborne torpedoes, surface shipping was now more air raids against enemy targets, anti-submarine and anti- and reflects the weighting we believe they should receive. Growth of this new service was rapid. In 1914, the newly vulnerable to attack from the air. As the outcome of the war shipping patrols and countering the Zeppelin threat, formed RNAS had about 700 men, 90 aircraft and no aircraft became dangerously balanced, several different types of demonstrating the versatility and capability of this carriers. By 1918 it boasted some 55,000 men, 3,000 aircraft, airship were developed and used for anti-submarine patrols pioneering force. 8 seaplane carriers and 3 aircraft carriers (the rest of the in the Western Approaches and the English Channel. They FIGURE 1 Narrative Sections world had none). helped protect convoys against attack by German U-boats As naval aviation’s remit expanded, aircraft and aircraft and so ensure the flow of supplies vital to the war effort.