There seems to be one and maybe two FAA units that operated this type in the fifties, albiet in the training role. Pagen01 kindly informed me of 780 Sqn FAA who operated a number of the Avro’s in the fifties. In addition to this I believe there was a mixed FAA/RAF unit operating from HMS Siskin (Grange Airfield) at Gosport. This mixed unit was called The Aerial Torpedo Dropping Unit (ATDU). Various types were employed including Lancasters, Lincolns, Beaufighters, and Barracudas. If I am correct the the Lancasters were on FAA strength with Royal Navy titles, and like Pagen01 would like to find some images of these and any other FAA units operating this particular Avro, can anyone shed any further light on the subject?.
No doubt, highlighting my age!, I have a still vivid memory when just a wee toddler of a Lancaster taking off from Gosport over my street and climbing out towards the west, the sight and sound of which was unforgettable. I also remember that the underside of the aircraft had broad black and yellow diagonal stripes,…..very distinctive.
Lastly, the excellent publication Aviation News when first published in the 1970’s in newspaper form, had an article and centre spread of Royal Navy Lancs in one particular issue, I did have a copy but unfortunetly lost it in the process of time.
Gerry R
By: Gerry R - 5th October 2011 at 11:32
Thanks to all for the posts,
Phillip, I will go with what the National Archives state for ATDU.
Gerry R:rolleyes::rolleyes:
By: SADSACK - 4th October 2011 at 15:05
re;
Its the 1st I have heard of it, it would be logical to work them up before shackletons, but FAA?
:confused:
By: pagen01 - 4th October 2011 at 12:48
Sadly I have to agree with Lee, it is doubtful that Royal Navy markings were applied and I would think taht the aircraft were still in bomber command colours.
A small correction, the 780sqn Lancasters were taken on immediately post war and were struck of charge by late 1946, mid ’47.
It would be interesting to know how they would have looked if the scheme was succesful, I would think that they would have looked very similar to the camoflaged Coastal Command ASR.IIIs, with two tone camoflage upper and sky undersides, but with Navy titles.
By: Philip Morten - 4th October 2011 at 12:18
A slight aside – what is the correct designation for ATDU? I’ve seen the ‘A’ listed as Air, Aircraft, Aerial or Airborne!!
Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit according to files at the National Archives (AVIA 16 and AVIA 32) .
By: DaveF68 - 4th October 2011 at 12:05
A slight aside – what is the correct designation for ATDU? I’ve seen the ‘A’ listed as Air, Aircraft, Aerial or Airborne!!
By: Lee Howard - 4th October 2011 at 11:19
Gerry
We’d all like to see some photos of the Lancasters! Sadly, none forthcoming thus far. The likelihood is that the aircraft did not wear RN titles…..but I’m happy to be proved wrong with photographic evidence!!
I think the “Lancasters” you saw at Gosport were more likely to have been Lincolns from ATDU which did visit there but operated mainly out of Weston Zoyland (about 5 miles from where I’m currently typing this) in Somerset.
Rgds
Lee
Sign In
October 4, 2011 at 11:09 am