The picture above shows four Dragonfly helicopters of 705 Squadron , RNAS Gosport,leading the Review Flypast over the Fleet anchored at Spithead.They
are following the Sea Vampire F20 flown by the Flag Officer(Air).The picture was kindly provided by Harold Tokins,at the time an Air Fitter with 705 Squadron.
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The Royal Fleet Review following the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place at Spithead on 15th June 1953.Prior to the actual event
,an open day was held at RNAS Lee-on-Solent .As part of the open day,spectators were treated to the last rehearsal of the mass flypast .
Many of the aircraft that took part in the flypast flew from Lee-on-Solent.In addition,formations came from Culham(Mainly RNVR aircraft) and
Ford(Jet types).
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The list below is in four parts.First is a near-complete listing of all aircraft which flew in the Flypast rehearsal from Lee-on
Solent.Second are aircraft that took part in Lee's flying display on the 15th. Third is a rundown of the order of the actual Flypast( Squadrons and aircraft put up by each Squadron).Fourth are other
aircraft seen in the area during the day(not all of which landed at Lee).
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Note that the aircraft used in the actual Flypast differed from the rehearsals as each Squadron flew spare aircraft which turned back if not
needed.
Supermarine Attacker FB2.WP277/154J,WP292,WP293,WP294,WP302/153J of 803Sq.
Westland Dragonfly HR3 WG669,WG751/710GJ
Westland Wyvern S4.VZ757 of 813Sq
.
Flypast
The flypast took place in the following order---:
Sea Vampire F20(lead Aircraft)
705 Sq Gosport(12 Dragonflies)
781SQ(Fireflies)
771SQ (Fireflies)
796SQ(Fireflies)
750SQ(Fireflies)
776SQ(Fireflies)
737SQ(Fireflies)
719SQ(Fireflies)
812SQ(Fireflies)
814SQ(Fireflies)
817SQ(Fireflies)
820SQ(Fireflies)
824SQ(Fireflies)
825SQ(Fireflies)
826SQ(Fireflies)
1830SQ RNVR(Fireflies)
1840SQ RNVR(Fireflies)
1841SQ RNVR(Fireflies)
764SQ(Seafire F17)
1833SQ RNVR(Seafire F47)
849SQ(Skyraiders )
738SQ(Sea Furies)
802SQ(Sea Furies)
804SQ(Sea Furies)
871SQ(Sea Furies)
1835SQ RNVR(Sea Furies)
809 SQ(Sea Hornets )
728 SQ(Sea Hornets )
815 SQ(Avengers )
Gannets(3 aircraft)
813 SQ(Wyverns )
787SQ(Sea Vampire F20s )
759 SQ(Meteor T7s )
736 SQ(Attackers )
800 SQ(Attackers )
803 SQ(Attackers )
890 SQ(Attackers )
806 SQ(Sea Hawk FGA1s)
Sea Venoms(four aircraft )
.
Other Aircraft
DH Devon VP961,VP974
DH Dominie NF854
Fairey Firefly T7 WM766/324GN 719Sq
Piasecki HUP-2 124916/UR USS Baltimore
Sikorsky S-55 963 RCN.HMCS Magnificent.
Westland S-51 Dragonfly WG669/700GJ 705Sq Gosport
The information here has come from a large variety of sources including various accounts of the review in enthusiasts magazines of the
day ,and my own records.Any additions or corrections most welcome.
