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helipad | www.daat.org
An early aerial view of RNAS Torquay. Note – Aircraft and derrick on Haldon Pier in the foreground
Despite his army background, Paignton-born Rob Mackie has a passion for aviation in the First World War and takes a look back at the Royal Navy Air Service Unit (239 Squadron RAF) based in Torquay
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s I approach my half-century of working in aviation in one form or another, I find it strange looking back that this ‘love affair’, for that’s what it is; started at the age of 11 when I discovered Airfix kits, followed fairly quickly by Frog and Revelle models; remember them? Also, although my career has been almost exclusively with helicopters, my real passion (not necessarily expertise) is aviation in the First World War 1914 – 1918. Stranger still that an ex-Army aviator should do a piece about a Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) unit! But as it was based in Torquay, I hope you’ll bear with me.
Unlike World War II, the First World War had little direct effect on the South West except, of course, for the families of the brave men that went and never came back. At the outbreak of war aviation was, relatively, still in its infancy. Long range missions were simply not realistic due to the small amount of fuel the early aircraft could carry. War though has an unfortunate habit of accelerating technology and during the next four years aircraft design and capability improved dramatically. The British High Command had, at an early stage, recognised the strategic importance of Dartmouth and
