The following Fairey Albacore equipped squadrons operated from HMS Formidable.
818
4 February 1942 – 20 April 1942
820
3 February 1942 – 11 November 1943
826
26 November 1940 – 27 May 1941
829
15 November 1940 – 23 August 1941 10–21 December 1941
818 Naval Air Squadron
While embarked on HMS Formidable, 818 NAS operated with the Eastern Fleet, providing reconnaissance and anti-shipping strikes against Japanese targets.
820 Naval Air Squadron
820 NAS took part in the invasion of Madagascar, followed by Operation Torch in North Africa. During the North Africa Landings an 820 Squadron aircraft sank U-331. Following this this squadron supported the landings in Sicily and Salerno before being disbanded.
826 Naval Air Squadron
While operating from HMS Formidable, 826 NAS covered convoys in the Mediterranean, attacked shore targets and took part in the Battle of Cape Mattapan, targeting the Italian Battleship Vittorio Veneto. During the Battle for Crete, the squadron helped cover the Allied withdrawal from the island. Following Formidable’s damage and move to the US for repairs, the squadron became land based operating in North Africa.
829 Naval Air Squadron
After providing convoy escort duties down the west coast of Africa, 829 NAS undertook attacks on Mogadishu and Massawa as Formidable sailed up the east coast of Africa. In the Mediterranean, one of the squadron’s aircraft scored a torpedo hit on the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto during the Battle of Cape Mattapan.
Fairey Albacore crews of No. 820 NAS on board HMS Formidable September 1942Fairey Albacore of No. 820 NAS on board HMS FormidableFairey Albacore of No. 820 NAS on board HMS FormidableFairey Albacore of No. 820 NAS on board HMS FormidableFairey Albacore of No. 820 NAS on board HMS FormidableFairey Albacore on board HMS Formidable June 1943Fairey Albacore with full bomb-racks being wheeled into position on the flight deck of HMS Formidable 6-9 November 1942Fairey Albacore taking off from HMS Formidable September 1942Loading 250lb bombs onto a Fairey Albacore for the raid on Algiers Nov 1942Bombing up a Fairey Albacore on the flight deck of HMS FormidableAlbacore ∅L BF653 from 820 Squadron, HMS Formidable, during Operation TorchFairey Albacores on the flight deck of HMS FormidableFairey Albacore coming up in the after lift of HMS Formidable Sep 1942Fairey Albacores of 820 NAS being ranged on the flight deck of HMS FormidableFairey Albacore with full bomb-racks being wheeled into position on the flight deck of HMS Formidable Nov 1942Fairey Albacore taking off from HMS Formidable Sep 42A Fairey Albacore I BF759 4L of 820 Squadron in flight, during the North African landings Nov 1942Fairey Albacores on a training flight off Mombasa 25 May 1942Fairey Albacores of 820 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm from HMS FormidableFairey Albacores on a training flight off Mombasa 25 May 1942Fairey Albacores of 820 Naval Air Squadron starting out on an exerciseA formation of three Fairey Albacores of 820 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm from HMS FormidableFairey Albacore planes of 820 Naval Air Squadron starting out on an exercise carrying torpedoesEight Fairey Albacore planes of 820 Naval Air Squadron in echelon
