Images from the private collections of of Aircraft Artificer 4th Class (Ordinance) Maurice Ayling, formerly of 1843 Squadron and Mr. Norman Phipps, whose Great grandfather served on Arbiter (marked †).
and Most of these images are sized to fit the screen, however where possible those containing groups of personnel will open large enough to see individuals. Many, but not all, of these images are available in larger, high-res versions and copies can be supplied upon receipt of a photo request. If you have pictures or other memorabilia that you can contribute to this project please contact the Webmaster using the Offer of assistance form.
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H.M.S. ARBITER and passage to Australia
The personnel of 1843 Naval Air Squadron on the flight deck od ARBITER, The photo was taken on the occasion of the transfer of command from Major P.P. Nelson-Gracie RM to Lt. Cdr PC.S. Chilton RN in February 1945.
Flying operations begin off the Isle of Bute n Valentine’s Day 1945 to begin a flying program to work-up with the ship.
Corsairs ranged ready for take off. †
The crash of CorsairKD611 (1) February 22nd 1945. While landing on Sub-Lt B.G. Appleton RNVR caught No.4 wire but drifted to port causing his port wheel to run into the catwalk.
The crash of CorsairKD611 (2) February 22nd 1945. While landing on Sub-Lt B.G. Appleton RNVR caught No.4 wire but drifted to port causing his port wheel to run into the catwalk.
The crash of CorsairKD611 (3) February 22nd 1945. While landing on Sub-Lt B.G. Appleton RNVR caught No.4 wire but drifted to port causing his port wheel to run into the catwalk.
March 11th 1945 Corsair KD602 'S' flown by Sub-Lt D.A. Golding RNVR floats into barrier.
The crash of Corsair KD578 'L' (1) March 13th 1945.The aircraft hit the rounddown breaking the tail oleo off, before breaking through Nos.2 & 3 barriers The pilot Sub-Lt W. Noble was OK but the aircraft was write-off.
The crash of Corsair KD578 'L' (2) March 13th 1945.The aircraft hit the rounddown breaking the tail oleo off, before breaking through Nos.2 & 3 barriers The pilot Sub-Lt W. Noble was OK but the aircraft was write-off.
JThe crash of Corsair KD578 'L' (3) March 13th 1945.The aircraft hit the rounddown breaking the tail oleo off, before breaking through Nos.2 & 3 barriers The pilot Sub-Lt W. Noble was OK but the aircraft was write-off.
March 17th 1945: Corsair KD253 on its back after missing all the wires and clipped the top of the barrier which flipped it over. The pilot, Sub-Lt D.A. Golding RNVR was OK.
The crash of CorsairKD607 (1) March 22nd 1945. The pilot lost sight of Deck Landing Control Officer and flew into the starboard walkway and fell overboard. The pilot, Sub-Lt B.G. Appleton RNVR was safely rescued.
The crash of CorsairKD607 (2) March 22nd 1945. The pilot lost sight of Deck Landing Control Officer and flew into the starboard walkway and fell overboard. The pilot, Sub-Lt B.G. Appleton RNVR was safely rescued
The crash of CorsairKD607 (3) March 22nd 1945. The pilot lost sight of Deck Landing Control Officer and flew into the starboard walkway and fell overboard. The pilot, Sub-Lt B.G. Appleton RNVR was safely rescued
The crash of CorsairKD607 (4) March 22nd 1945. The pilot lost sight of Deck Landing Control Officer and flew into the starboard walkway and fell overboard. The pilot, Sub-Lt B.G. Appleton RNVR was safely rescued
Corsair KD577 ('C') c. March 22nd 1945. The aircraft had a nasty barrier crash on the 21st after Sub-Lt W. Noble RNVR drifted to starboard and entered the barrier. The aircraft was ‘beyond local repair’ and was stripped of all salvageable components before the hulk was pushed overboard.
Ashore in Australia
R.N.A.S. Schofields, New South Wales 3rd May - 3rd June 1945
Members of 1843 squadron pictured at Schofields on VE Day, May 8th 1945.
Petty officers of 1843 squadron pictured at Schofields, May 1945.
R.N.A.S. Maryborough, Queensland 4th June - 15th July1945
Members of 1843 squadron Radio Section, RNAS Maryborough, July 1945.
The “champions” the 1843 squadron football team, RNAS Maryborough, July 1945.
R.N.A.S. Nowra, New South Wales 16th July - 24th October 1945
Some of the Senior ratings of 1843 squadron pose outside the squadron office at RNAS Nowra
AM(O) 'Tug' Wilson in the cockpit of an 1843 Corsair at RNAS Nowra.
1943 Armourers at RNAS Nowra -'Tug' Wilson, 'Spike' Spicer, & 'Jerry' Rose.
Some of the Senior ratings of 1843 squadron pose outside the squadron office at RNAS Nowra
H.W. Ellis, C. H. Allen, S.J. James AA4 (O)s with 1843 squadron pose an a Corsair at RNAS Nowra in the late summer of 1945.
AA4(O) Maurice Ayling, in the cockpit of an 1843 Corsair at RNAS Nowra.
AM(O) 'Tug' Wilson in the cockpit of an 1843 Corsair at RNAS Nowra.
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