Formation

The squadron officially re-formed at RNAS Abbotsinch on August 15th 1947 as an RNVR squadron under the command of Lt. Cdr (A) J. D. Murricane DSC RNVR. It was one of four squadrons formed in 1947 for the RNVR Air Branch, the other three were Fighter squadrons; 1831 at RNAS Stretton, 1832 at RNAS Culham, and 1833 at RNAS Bramcote, 1830 was the only RNVR squadron to have joint Fighter/Anti-submarine tasking. Initial equipment issue was 3 Seafire F. XVIIs and 3 Firefly FR.1s. In May 1948 the fighter role was dropped and No.1830 standardised on Fireflies.

Flying took place at RNAS Abbotsinch each week-end. Pilots and Observers were required to carry out 14 days' continuous training each year, 100 hours non-continuous training (drills), and 12 week-ends on squadron duty. During this time they were expected achieve a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 125 flying hours. The two weeks of continuous annual training in air warfare and weapons training was carried out at other naval air stations; the first was at RNAS Eglinton, 16-30th October 1948.

On July 1st the squadron relocated to RNAS Donibristle to allow temporary repairs to be made to the fast deteriorating runways at Abbotsinch, intensive ADDLS (Aerodrome Dummy Deck Landings) had begun to expose holes in the Somerfield matting that formed the runways. RNS Donibristle was not an ideal station for conducting ADDLS either, having only two runways orientated roughly E-W and WSW-ENE landing into wind was not always possible.  When this occurred the squadron flew to RAF Leuchars to conduct ADDLS.
 

1949 annual training; 1830 goes to sea

The second annual training period was spent afloat. This was an experiment with 1830 as the Guinea pigs; could part-time aviators carry out the rigours of flying from a carrier? The squadron flew out from RNAS Donibristle to joinethe training carrier ILLUSTRIOUS on August 27th 1949 for 10 days of r intensive flying training at sea. Completing on September 10th they had flown 196 flying hours and completed 205 accident-free deck landings. As a result of this feat theyt became the first, and only RNVR squadron to be awarded annual Boyd Trophy, awarded to a squadron or individual aircrew who had achieved the finest feat of aviation during the year. On disembarking they flew ashore to RNAS Abbotsinch.

A Fairey Firefly FR.5

1950 annual training moves to the Mediterranean

The squadron flew to Malta for their next annual training period, arriving at RNAS Hal Far on July 30th 1950. The flight out to Malta was accomplished in one day, with a stop for lunch at Hyeres outside Toulon, as guests of the French Naval Air Service. The squadron ground personnel, additional pilots, stores. etc., were flown out by a civilian airline, with a stop at Nice. 1830 now began a considerable armament and A/S training programme, carrying out rocket attacks on targets off the coast, and exercising with units of the Mediterranean Fleet. The training complete on August 10th and the squadron returned to RNAS Abbotsinch.

In December 1950 the squadron once again moved temporarily to RNS Donibristle, this time to enable the Abbotsinch runways to be reconstructed; they did not return until November 1952.

RNVR Air Divisions created

On June 1st 1952 the squadrons of the RNVR Air Branch and its squadrons was reorganized into 5 Divisions; Scottish, Northern, Midland, Southern, and Channel. The Scottish Air Division was formed at RNAS Donibristle initially comprising of only 1830 squadron. However on October 1st 1830A squadron was formed as a second RNVR Anti-Submarine squadron, sharing the aircraft of 1830 Squadron; in March 1953 it become 1843 squadron.

1830 received new equipment in October 1950, Firefly AS.6s replacing the older FR.1 models.

A Grumman Avenger AS.5.

R.N.V.R. Air Branch disbands

Due tor defence spending cuts the R.N.V.R. Air Branch was axed in 1957, the organisation and its squadrons ceased to exist on March 10th 1957.

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