809 Naval Air Squadron formed on 15 January 1963 around personnel and aircraft from 700Z Flight. Based ashore, it combined Buccaneer S1 operational development with training pilots and observers, helped by the arrival of a simulator in November 1963. South African Air Force crews began training with the unit in January 1965, before it was renumbered as 736 Naval Air Squadron on 26 March. During its period as the Buccaneer training unit, 809 lost three S1 airframes. The squadron recommissioned with Buccaneer S2s in January 1966 and, after working up, joined HMS Hermes for overseas service that included patrols near Gibraltar during Spanish airspace restrictions. Following a shore-based interval from February 1968 to May 1970, it returned to sea aboard HMS Ark Royal and made repeated visits to the United States.
Chapter · 1:14:45-1:19:16
809 Naval Air Squadron develops the Buccaneer force
The history of 809 Naval Air Squadron links Buccaneer S1 development and crew training to the S2's operational career aboard Hermes and Ark Royal.