After embarking on HMS Victorious, 828 NAS took part in the raid on Kirkenes, where it lost five aircraft. After returning to the UK, the squadron regrouped at Crail before embarking on HMS Argus.
827 Naval Air Squadron July to August 1941
After embarking on HMS Victorious, 827 NAS took part in the raid on Kirkenes, where it lost half of its aircraft. After returning to the UK, the squadron regrouped at Haston before embarking on HMS Indomitable.
820 Naval Air Squadron July 1941 to January 1942
While embarked on HMS Victorious, 820 squadron performed convoy protection duties, before transferring to HMS Formidable.
817 Naval Air Squadron August 1941 to November 1942
When embarked on HMS Victorious 817 squadron undertook operations in the Barents Sea, including attacking shipping off the Norwegian Coast. On the 9th of March 1942, the squadron undertook an unsuccessful attack on the German battleship Tirpitz.
The squadron supported Operation Torch, the north African landing by bombing fortifications. On the 21st of November 1942, one of the squadrons Albacores sunk U-517. On returning to the UK, the squadron embarked on HMS Indomitable.
An 817 NAS Fairey Albacore taking off from HMS Victorious Feb 1942An 817 NAS Fairey Albacore landing on HMS Victorious late Nov 1941Fairey Albacore 817 NAS of HMS Victorious flying somewhere off Norway. Dec 43An 817 NAS Fairey Albacore landing on HMS Victorious 29 Mar-9 Apr 1942
832 Naval Air Squadron August 1941 to December 1942
Fairey Albacore of 832 NAS on HMS Victorious Oct 1941Fairey Albacore of 832 NAS on HMS Victorious Nov 1941Fairey Albacore of 832 NAS on HMS Victorious late March 1942 on Russian convoy dutySub Lieut (A) R J Brown, RNVR, of 832 NAS the pilot of a Fairey Albacore embarked on HMS Victorious
On the Flight Deck
Wheeling a torpedo into position on the flight deck of HMS Victorious, ready to be loaded onto a Fairey Albacore Nov 1941Victorious’ flight deck party in action on slippery icy deck well within the Arctic Circle. Ranging a torpedo-carrying Fairey Albacore Mar 1942Sub Lieutenant G Dunworth, is being carried from a Farey Albacore after an attack on Tirpitz after being hit by gunfireFairey Albacore torpedo bomber on HMS Victorious on Russian convoy dutyFairey Albacore torpedo bombers on HMS Victorious Apr 1942 on Russian convoy dutyThe forward part of the flight deck of HMS Victorious with Fairey Fulmars and Fairey Albacores on board during preparations for Norwegian operationsHMS Victorious seen with several Fairey Albacore aircraft on the flight deck.
Landing and Taking Off
Fairey Albacore taking off from HMS Victorious Sep 1942Fairey Albacore taking off from HMS Victorious Feb 1942Fairey Albacore about to land on HMS VictoriousFairey Albacore landing on HMS Victorious Nov 1941Fairey Albacore landing on HMS Victorious 20 Dec 1941Fairey Albacore landing on HMS Victorious Nov 1941Flight deck duty squad member hanging on to the wing of a Fairey Albacore that has just landed on HMS Victorious Nov 1941. The precaution was needed because gale force winds were blowing at the time
Detail Photographs
The Navigator, Sub Lieut (A) F J Willet, RNVR (right) and Air Gunner, L/A A R Davis, in the after cockpit of a Fairey Albacore from HMS Victorious Apr 1942Gunner, Leading Airman C H Clark exits his Fairey Albacore aircraft carrying his flying kit. HMS Victorious Fairey Albacore being warmed up on the flight deck of HMS Victorious at Scapa Flow Dec 1941Sub Lieut (A) Lacayo, RN, pilot of a Fairey Albacore on board HMS Victorious Dec 1941Fairey Albacore on board HMS Victorious May 1942
In the Hanger
Fairey Albacore going up in the lift to the flight deck of HMS Victorious Sep 1942Fairey Albacores stowed with folded wings in the hangar of HMS Victorious Sep 1942Fairey Albacores and Fulmars stowed in the hangar of HMS Victorious, Jan 1942The maintenance crews sling their hammocks alongside their Fairey Albacore in the hanger of HMS Victorious Apr 1942Wheeling a Fairey Albacore to the lift to be taken to the flight deck of HMS Victorious Feb 1942
Crashed and Damaged Albacores
A sudden gust of wind has overturned a Fairey Albacore on HMS Victorious Nov 1941A crashed Fairey Albacore seen on the flight deck of HMS VictoriousA damaged Fairey Albacore seen on the flight deck of HMS VictoriousA crashed Fairey Albacore seen on the flight deck of HMS Victorious 111.A crashed Fairey Albacore seen on the flight deck of HMS Victorious