1/144 Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, 1990s onwards

Kits-World - 1/144 Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton (HMS Heron), 1990's onwards. 225mm(W) x 225mm(H) 9inches(W) x 9inches(H)

RNAS Yeovilton was built in 1939, with 750 Nas commencing operations from the base in the same year, and followed by 751 and 752 Nas shortly afterwards. 794 Nas was formed in 1940 and 827 Nas started operations from the base in 1943. This unit was the first to receive the Fairy Barracuda torpedo bomber. Yeovilton underwent an extensive phased rebuild program during the 1950's to lengthen the runways in order to accept jet aircraft, notably the de Havilland Sea Venom. This type was replaced during the 1960's by the de Havilland Sea Vixen and McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1. Royal Navy fixed wing operations ceased at the base during the 1970's. Westland Wessex HU.5's and Westland Sea King HC.4's continued to operate for Royal Marine service. The Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit (FRADU) was also stationed at the base. The introduction into service of the British Aerospace Sea Harrier FRS.1 in the early 1980's saw the Royal Navy again flying fixed wing aircraft from the base. The Sea Harrier FRS.1's were replaced by the more capable FA.2 variant and T.8 trainer until the Sea Harrier was withdrawn from service in 2006. Today, the base is again rotary wing only, with the exception of the Grob Tutor T.1 used by 727 Nas for trainee pilot grading. A number of ground-based units and support units are also stationed at Yeovilton.

Aircraft operated (as of 2021)-

Royal Navy: AgustaWestland/Leonardo AW159 Wildcat HMA.2- 815 Naval Air Squadron, 825 Naval Air Squadron, 847 Naval Air Squadron. AgustaWestland AW159 Commando Wildcat AH.1- 847 Naval Air Squadron.

British Army: AgustaWestland/Leonardo AW159 Wildcat AH.1- No. 652 Squadron, No. 659 Squadron, No. 661 Squadron.

Royal Navy: AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HC.4/4A- 845 Naval Air Squadron. AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin HC.4/HC3i- 846 Naval Air Squadron.

Royal Navy: Grob Tutor T.1- 727 Naval Air Squadron.
GPS- 51º00'35.33' N 2º38'46.88' W