RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)
RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey) was a Royal Naval air station on the western edge of Portland Harbour. It was built in 1958 and formally commissioned under HMS Osprey, Portland's anti-submarine establishment, in 1959. The station saw expansion from the 1960s onwards and remained operational until 1999. Following its closure, the site has been redeveloped as Osprey Quay.
Portland's first naval air station was established in 1916 within Portland's naval dockyard, but closed in 1919. Following World War II, a number of Sikorsky R-4Bs briefly underwent operational trials at Portland, and the success of these and other early helicopter trials led to the establishment of RNAS Portland in 1959.
History
Portland's first naval air station and its role in World War I (1916-19)
During World War I, Portland's naval station was home to an auxiliary patrol, which was established to patrol the area for U-Boats, sweep mines and protect colliers as part of the French coal trade. In order to support the patrol in the hunting of U-Boats operating in the English Channel, a naval air station, was established within Portland's dockyard on 28 September 1916. It was one of a number to be established across the UK by the Admiralty for the protection of British shipping.
A slipway located between the Camber and Loading Jetties was used as a ramp for the seaplanes and a hangar was erected. The planes operating at Portland varied, but included Short 184s, Fairey F16 Campanias and converted Wright tractor biplanes. The creation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918 resulted in the air station taken over by the RAF and initially split into 416 and 417 Flights. The two flights later became No. 241 Squadron in August, which continued to operate from Portland until June 1919, when all aviation operations ceased there.
In 1918, Portland became the home of an anti-submarine establishment, commissioned under the name HMS Sarepta and later as HMS Osprey in 1924. From the moment of its inception, the establishment's trials and experiments were highly successful in the development of Asdic and other equipment, while the anti-submarine school trained many officers and sailors in anti-submarine warfare. When another war seemed imminent, HMS Osprey underwent expansion in the early-to-mid 1930s.
Use of helicopters at Portland in World War II (1939-45)
With the outbreak of World War II, 772 Squadron established a temporary base at Portland in September 1939, where they operated as a Fleet Requirements Unit. Using Fairey Swordfishs, one of the squadron's key roles was in the towing of targets for naval firing practice. Although anti-submarine operations continued from Portland, Germany's successful invasion of France saw the naval base quickly become the target of air attacks. An early raid in July 1940 saw the auxiliary anti-aircraft ship HMS Foylebank sunk in the harbour with a large loss of life. It was decided that naval activity had to be reduced; 772 Squadron departed that month, while HMS Osprey was transferred to Dunoon in 1941. The air station was held under care and maintenance for the remainder of the war, but saw no operational use.
Helicopter trials at Portland (1946-47)
After the war, Portland saw the return of visiting warships and regular exercises in local waters, while HMS Osprey returned in 1946. The potential use of helicopters by the Royal Navy, including in an anti-submarine role, led to the establishment of a Helicopter Development Unit within HM Naval Base Portland in September 1945. From the base and the nearby Chickerell Aerodrome, 771 Squadron operated Sikorsky R-4Bs for a variety of tasks from gunnery spotting to sea rescue. These successful trials continued at Portland until mid-1947, when 771 Squadron was relocated to Gosport.
Establishment of RNAS Portland (1958-59)
The Admiralty's trials with helicopters continued into the 1950s, including their occasional use in exercises held at Portland and its waters from 1956. The promising results of the trials saw the potential value of the helicopter to the Fleet continue to increase. As a result, plans were made for a small air station to be established at Portland. In light of the existing activities carried out at Portland, including the regular submarine and surface vessel exercises in local waters, and anti-submarine training and research, Portland was considered a well-suited location for the new establishment.
The chosen site for the air station was the Mere, a tidal lagoon overlooked by Portland Castle, the naval canteen and naval playing fields. Work commenced in 1958, with part of the Mere being filled in. The canteen was converted into the station's air administration building, which included a variety of offices, workshops, crew rooms and other facilities. Two blister hangars were erected to the north on part of the playing fields, along with a runway and landing area. The air administration building went on to house the station's air traffic control facilities, after initially being set up on the edge of the landing strip as a temporary arrangement.
815 Squadron arrived at the station on 14 April 1959 with fourteen Westland Whirlwinds HAR 3 and HAR 22 aircraft. RNAS Portland was then formally commissioned by Admiral Sir Manley L. Power, Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth, on 24 April 1959. Forming part of Portland's anti-submarine establishment HMS Osprey, the station's primary focus was on the training of pilots and other personnel in the use of helicopters in an anti-submarine role. The station formed a base for the work-up of front line squadrons and small ships flights when disembarked, in connection with the existing surface vessel and submarine exercises already taking place in the area. It also had responsibility for the development of anti-submarine tactics.
Operations of RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey) (1959-1999)
For the next 40 years, RNAS Portland was one of the busiest air stations on the south coast, with helicopter operations taking place 24 hours a day. By the mid-1960s, the station was home to 737, 771 and 829 Squadrons, which resulted in further expansion work becoming necessary. A £2.3 million expansion programme was completed before the end of the decade and included the reclaiming of 12 acres of land from Portland Harbour and the erection of new hangars and workshops. Between 1969-73, almost all of the surviving part of the Mere was reclaimed and further facilities added.
Over the course of its operational use, RNAS Portland and its various squadrons had a variety of training and operational roles from anti-submarine and flying training to search and rescue operations. The station was the home of the operational fleet's Wasp and later Lynx helicopters, and it also provided air support for the adjacent naval base's Flag Officer Sea Training operations, which commenced in 1958. Helicopters that operated from the station over the years include the Westland Wasp, Westland Wessex, Westland Lynx and Westland Sea King.
Many personnel were accommodated at the HMS Osprey barracks area at Upper Osprey, East Weare. During the mid-to-late 1980s, a wardroom and senior ratings mess was constructed at Castletown. The two large accommodation blocks were collectively known as the Hardy Site and served personnel from both the air station and naval base. The original barracks area at Upper Osprey continued with junior rates messes and Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) quarters, along with facilities such as the Flying Fish Club, main sick bay and education centre. Quarters for officers were located in Preston and Rodwell, and married quarters for ratings at Weston and Wyke Regis.
Both RNAS Portland and the naval base continued to operate as important military sites into the late 20th century. However, with the imminent end of the Cold War and dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the UK government launched a defence review known as Options for Change in 1990, as part of plans to rationalise the British Armed Forces and significantly reduce the defence budget. As part of these cost-saving plans, HMNB Portland's closure was announced in 1992 and the base closed in 1996, with FOST having relocated to Devonport the year before. Meanwhile, after a period of consultation on the future of RNAS Portland, it was announced in 1994 that the station would close in 1999, with its operations to be moved to RNAS Yeovilton. At the time, the station employed 1,200 naval and 200 civilian personnel. The proposed closure was estimated to make savings of £12 million a year.
With the naval base's closure, the Upper Osprey site was largely abandoned, with all RNAS personnel using the accommodation and facilities of the Hardy Site instead. The relocation of FOST led to 772 Squadron being disbanded, which in turn resulted in the loss of Portland's SAR provider. In its place, Bristow Helicopters were awarded a contract to provide a SAR service on behalf of the coastguard. Commencing operations in September 1995, the service occupied RNAS Portland's No. 1 hangar.
Closure of RNAS Portland (1999)
RNAS Portland closed on 31 March 1999 and the gates were finally "locked" on 31 October. A year earlier, on 17 October 1998, the station held its final open day, which saw a wide range of historic and current aircraft on display, while many buildings were opened to the public. Events on the day included fire fighting demonstrations, parachute displays, search and rescue displays, flying demonstrations and performances from the Royal Marine Band. Prince Andrew arrived to the station at midday to give the salute at 14:50 hours to Beat Retreat by the Royal Marine Band.
Following the station's closure, much of RNAS Portland's facilities, services and staff were transferred to RNAS Yeovilton, including the RN School of Helicopter Control and the Lynx fleet. Both 772 and 815 Squadrons moved from Portland to Yeovilton, while the Fleet Target Group moved to RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk) and became 792 Naval Air Squadron in November 2001. The combined closure of all naval-related establishments at Portland was estimated by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council to have cost the area 4,500 jobs, along with a loss of £40 million to the local economy.
Redevelopment and current use (1999-)
The former air station was sold in 2000 by the Ministry of Defence to the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), who soon formulated plans for the site's redevelopment as Osprey Quay. One of the earliest occupants was the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, which originally based themselves in various buildings of the station, including the former Fleet Target Group building, the AED's ground equipment building, the Helicopter in Flight Refuelling (HIFR) store, 702 Squadron's office block and the engine repair section's building. The academy's redevelopment work commenced in 2003, which saw the demolition of all these buildings, while much of the former airfield gave way for boat storage space.
The former main hangar, air stores building, husbandry bay, north hangar and main stores complex were retained and incorporated in 2001 into a shipyard owned and operated by Luhrs Marine Ltd. The former fire station building, 815 Squadron's office block and the Air Engineering Department's workshops had all been demolished within this part of the site by the end of that year. The three aviation fuel tanks, which were part of the Mere Oil Fuel Depot that had primarily served the naval base, had also been removed. The shipyard is now operated by Sunseeker International Ltd, who purchased the site in 2007.
Portland Coastguard Helicopter continued to operate from No. 1 hangar until 2005, when a new £3.5 million hangar was opened nearby. In addition to the new hangar, the existing runway was realigned to allow for a man-made flood plain area to be formed. No. 1 hangar was then demolished, with No. 3 hangar and two aviation fuel tanks, located nearby on the hillside, being removed soon afterwards. R3 Hard remained in its original form until it was merged into the surrounding reclamation and development work of the Dean & Reddyhoff-operated Portland Marina, which began in 2007 and opened in 2009.
RNAS Portland's headquarters building was retained following the station's closure and awaited redevelopment as part of the planned tourist and leisure complex Castle Court. Although the scheme did not come to fruition as intended in 2007, other schemes were successful in transforming Osprey Quay. By 2012, the area offered 11 hectares of business space including the areas known as the Maritime Business Centre and Navigator Park. Other projects included the residential development Officer's Field, overlooking Osprey Quay, and a new campus for the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy.
Victoria Building is another survival on the south-east outskirts of the former station. Constructed in the 1980s for use as offices, it was later used as offices by the SWRDA following the departure of the Royal Navy, and in 2012 it was used as temporary offices by Dorset Police as part of the 2012 Summer Olympics' sailing events. In 2014-16, the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy used the building as a sixth-form campus. Redevelopment of the headquarters building into Beresford House was carried out in 2017-19, based on a revised scheme for Castle Court. Portland's SAR service was removed that same year and the hangar sold to Heli Operations, who now use the site for the training of SAR aircrew on behalf of the German navy.
Squadrons (1959-1999)
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) BBC News - Portland helicopter base will remain open - November 2016 - website page
2) Dorset Echo - Heli Operations wins contract for Portland helicopter base after search and rescue leaves in 2017 - November 2016 - website page
3) Hampshire Airfields - Portland R.N.A.S. - HMS Osprey - website page
4) Hansard 1803-2005 - numerous parliamentary debates in Hansard archive - website page
5) Helis.com - Helicopter History Database - EGDP Portland Heliport - website page
6) HMS Osprey: End of an Era - RNAS Portland 1959-1999 - Iain Ross (editor) - Resort Marketing & Publishing Ltd - 1998 - book
7) HMS Osprey: Information Handbook - 15th edition - 1991 - The Constitutional Press Ltd - book
8) Invest in Dorset - Osprey Quay, Portland - website page
9) Jurassic Agent - The Jurassic Coast: HMS Osprey - website page
10) Navy News - Naval heliport opened at Portland - Issue No. 61 - June 1959 - article
11) Pastscape - HMS Sarepta - website page
12) The Independent - Portland's naval history ends as last warship sails - Will Bennet - July 1995 - website page
13) The Rise and Fall of Portland Naval Base 1845-1995 - Geoffrey Carter - 1998 - report
14) Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy - Official Website - History of WPNSA - website page
Portland's first naval air station was established in 1916 within Portland's naval dockyard, but closed in 1919. Following World War II, a number of Sikorsky R-4Bs briefly underwent operational trials at Portland, and the success of these and other early helicopter trials led to the establishment of RNAS Portland in 1959.
History
Portland's first naval air station and its role in World War I (1916-19)
During World War I, Portland's naval station was home to an auxiliary patrol, which was established to patrol the area for U-Boats, sweep mines and protect colliers as part of the French coal trade. In order to support the patrol in the hunting of U-Boats operating in the English Channel, a naval air station, was established within Portland's dockyard on 28 September 1916. It was one of a number to be established across the UK by the Admiralty for the protection of British shipping.
A slipway located between the Camber and Loading Jetties was used as a ramp for the seaplanes and a hangar was erected. The planes operating at Portland varied, but included Short 184s, Fairey F16 Campanias and converted Wright tractor biplanes. The creation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918 resulted in the air station taken over by the RAF and initially split into 416 and 417 Flights. The two flights later became No. 241 Squadron in August, which continued to operate from Portland until June 1919, when all aviation operations ceased there.
In 1918, Portland became the home of an anti-submarine establishment, commissioned under the name HMS Sarepta and later as HMS Osprey in 1924. From the moment of its inception, the establishment's trials and experiments were highly successful in the development of Asdic and other equipment, while the anti-submarine school trained many officers and sailors in anti-submarine warfare. When another war seemed imminent, HMS Osprey underwent expansion in the early-to-mid 1930s.
Use of helicopters at Portland in World War II (1939-45)
With the outbreak of World War II, 772 Squadron established a temporary base at Portland in September 1939, where they operated as a Fleet Requirements Unit. Using Fairey Swordfishs, one of the squadron's key roles was in the towing of targets for naval firing practice. Although anti-submarine operations continued from Portland, Germany's successful invasion of France saw the naval base quickly become the target of air attacks. An early raid in July 1940 saw the auxiliary anti-aircraft ship HMS Foylebank sunk in the harbour with a large loss of life. It was decided that naval activity had to be reduced; 772 Squadron departed that month, while HMS Osprey was transferred to Dunoon in 1941. The air station was held under care and maintenance for the remainder of the war, but saw no operational use.
Helicopter trials at Portland (1946-47)
After the war, Portland saw the return of visiting warships and regular exercises in local waters, while HMS Osprey returned in 1946. The potential use of helicopters by the Royal Navy, including in an anti-submarine role, led to the establishment of a Helicopter Development Unit within HM Naval Base Portland in September 1945. From the base and the nearby Chickerell Aerodrome, 771 Squadron operated Sikorsky R-4Bs for a variety of tasks from gunnery spotting to sea rescue. These successful trials continued at Portland until mid-1947, when 771 Squadron was relocated to Gosport.
Establishment of RNAS Portland (1958-59)
The Admiralty's trials with helicopters continued into the 1950s, including their occasional use in exercises held at Portland and its waters from 1956. The promising results of the trials saw the potential value of the helicopter to the Fleet continue to increase. As a result, plans were made for a small air station to be established at Portland. In light of the existing activities carried out at Portland, including the regular submarine and surface vessel exercises in local waters, and anti-submarine training and research, Portland was considered a well-suited location for the new establishment.
The chosen site for the air station was the Mere, a tidal lagoon overlooked by Portland Castle, the naval canteen and naval playing fields. Work commenced in 1958, with part of the Mere being filled in. The canteen was converted into the station's air administration building, which included a variety of offices, workshops, crew rooms and other facilities. Two blister hangars were erected to the north on part of the playing fields, along with a runway and landing area. The air administration building went on to house the station's air traffic control facilities, after initially being set up on the edge of the landing strip as a temporary arrangement.
815 Squadron arrived at the station on 14 April 1959 with fourteen Westland Whirlwinds HAR 3 and HAR 22 aircraft. RNAS Portland was then formally commissioned by Admiral Sir Manley L. Power, Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth, on 24 April 1959. Forming part of Portland's anti-submarine establishment HMS Osprey, the station's primary focus was on the training of pilots and other personnel in the use of helicopters in an anti-submarine role. The station formed a base for the work-up of front line squadrons and small ships flights when disembarked, in connection with the existing surface vessel and submarine exercises already taking place in the area. It also had responsibility for the development of anti-submarine tactics.
Operations of RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey) (1959-1999)
For the next 40 years, RNAS Portland was one of the busiest air stations on the south coast, with helicopter operations taking place 24 hours a day. By the mid-1960s, the station was home to 737, 771 and 829 Squadrons, which resulted in further expansion work becoming necessary. A £2.3 million expansion programme was completed before the end of the decade and included the reclaiming of 12 acres of land from Portland Harbour and the erection of new hangars and workshops. Between 1969-73, almost all of the surviving part of the Mere was reclaimed and further facilities added.
Over the course of its operational use, RNAS Portland and its various squadrons had a variety of training and operational roles from anti-submarine and flying training to search and rescue operations. The station was the home of the operational fleet's Wasp and later Lynx helicopters, and it also provided air support for the adjacent naval base's Flag Officer Sea Training operations, which commenced in 1958. Helicopters that operated from the station over the years include the Westland Wasp, Westland Wessex, Westland Lynx and Westland Sea King.
Many personnel were accommodated at the HMS Osprey barracks area at Upper Osprey, East Weare. During the mid-to-late 1980s, a wardroom and senior ratings mess was constructed at Castletown. The two large accommodation blocks were collectively known as the Hardy Site and served personnel from both the air station and naval base. The original barracks area at Upper Osprey continued with junior rates messes and Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) quarters, along with facilities such as the Flying Fish Club, main sick bay and education centre. Quarters for officers were located in Preston and Rodwell, and married quarters for ratings at Weston and Wyke Regis.
Both RNAS Portland and the naval base continued to operate as important military sites into the late 20th century. However, with the imminent end of the Cold War and dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the UK government launched a defence review known as Options for Change in 1990, as part of plans to rationalise the British Armed Forces and significantly reduce the defence budget. As part of these cost-saving plans, HMNB Portland's closure was announced in 1992 and the base closed in 1996, with FOST having relocated to Devonport the year before. Meanwhile, after a period of consultation on the future of RNAS Portland, it was announced in 1994 that the station would close in 1999, with its operations to be moved to RNAS Yeovilton. At the time, the station employed 1,200 naval and 200 civilian personnel. The proposed closure was estimated to make savings of £12 million a year.
With the naval base's closure, the Upper Osprey site was largely abandoned, with all RNAS personnel using the accommodation and facilities of the Hardy Site instead. The relocation of FOST led to 772 Squadron being disbanded, which in turn resulted in the loss of Portland's SAR provider. In its place, Bristow Helicopters were awarded a contract to provide a SAR service on behalf of the coastguard. Commencing operations in September 1995, the service occupied RNAS Portland's No. 1 hangar.
Closure of RNAS Portland (1999)
RNAS Portland closed on 31 March 1999 and the gates were finally "locked" on 31 October. A year earlier, on 17 October 1998, the station held its final open day, which saw a wide range of historic and current aircraft on display, while many buildings were opened to the public. Events on the day included fire fighting demonstrations, parachute displays, search and rescue displays, flying demonstrations and performances from the Royal Marine Band. Prince Andrew arrived to the station at midday to give the salute at 14:50 hours to Beat Retreat by the Royal Marine Band.
Following the station's closure, much of RNAS Portland's facilities, services and staff were transferred to RNAS Yeovilton, including the RN School of Helicopter Control and the Lynx fleet. Both 772 and 815 Squadrons moved from Portland to Yeovilton, while the Fleet Target Group moved to RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk) and became 792 Naval Air Squadron in November 2001. The combined closure of all naval-related establishments at Portland was estimated by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council to have cost the area 4,500 jobs, along with a loss of £40 million to the local economy.
Redevelopment and current use (1999-)
The former air station was sold in 2000 by the Ministry of Defence to the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), who soon formulated plans for the site's redevelopment as Osprey Quay. One of the earliest occupants was the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, which originally based themselves in various buildings of the station, including the former Fleet Target Group building, the AED's ground equipment building, the Helicopter in Flight Refuelling (HIFR) store, 702 Squadron's office block and the engine repair section's building. The academy's redevelopment work commenced in 2003, which saw the demolition of all these buildings, while much of the former airfield gave way for boat storage space.
The former main hangar, air stores building, husbandry bay, north hangar and main stores complex were retained and incorporated in 2001 into a shipyard owned and operated by Luhrs Marine Ltd. The former fire station building, 815 Squadron's office block and the Air Engineering Department's workshops had all been demolished within this part of the site by the end of that year. The three aviation fuel tanks, which were part of the Mere Oil Fuel Depot that had primarily served the naval base, had also been removed. The shipyard is now operated by Sunseeker International Ltd, who purchased the site in 2007.
Portland Coastguard Helicopter continued to operate from No. 1 hangar until 2005, when a new £3.5 million hangar was opened nearby. In addition to the new hangar, the existing runway was realigned to allow for a man-made flood plain area to be formed. No. 1 hangar was then demolished, with No. 3 hangar and two aviation fuel tanks, located nearby on the hillside, being removed soon afterwards. R3 Hard remained in its original form until it was merged into the surrounding reclamation and development work of the Dean & Reddyhoff-operated Portland Marina, which began in 2007 and opened in 2009.
RNAS Portland's headquarters building was retained following the station's closure and awaited redevelopment as part of the planned tourist and leisure complex Castle Court. Although the scheme did not come to fruition as intended in 2007, other schemes were successful in transforming Osprey Quay. By 2012, the area offered 11 hectares of business space including the areas known as the Maritime Business Centre and Navigator Park. Other projects included the residential development Officer's Field, overlooking Osprey Quay, and a new campus for the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy.
Victoria Building is another survival on the south-east outskirts of the former station. Constructed in the 1980s for use as offices, it was later used as offices by the SWRDA following the departure of the Royal Navy, and in 2012 it was used as temporary offices by Dorset Police as part of the 2012 Summer Olympics' sailing events. In 2014-16, the Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy used the building as a sixth-form campus. Redevelopment of the headquarters building into Beresford House was carried out in 2017-19, based on a revised scheme for Castle Court. Portland's SAR service was removed that same year and the hangar sold to Heli Operations, who now use the site for the training of SAR aircrew on behalf of the German navy.
Squadrons (1959-1999)
- 737 Naval Air Squadron (August 1959 — February 1983)
- 771 Naval Air Squadron (July 1961 — December 1964 and June 1967 — September 1974)
- 829 Naval Air Squadron (December 1964 — March 1993)
- 703 Naval Air Squadron (January 1972 — January 1981)
- 772 Naval Air Squadron (September 1974 — September 1995)
- 702 Naval Air Squadron (July 1982 — January 1999)
- 810 Naval Air Squadron (detached regularly 1982-1999)
- 815 Naval Air Squadron (April 1959 — August 1959 and July 1982 — February 1999)
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) BBC News - Portland helicopter base will remain open - November 2016 - website page
2) Dorset Echo - Heli Operations wins contract for Portland helicopter base after search and rescue leaves in 2017 - November 2016 - website page
3) Hampshire Airfields - Portland R.N.A.S. - HMS Osprey - website page
4) Hansard 1803-2005 - numerous parliamentary debates in Hansard archive - website page
5) Helis.com - Helicopter History Database - EGDP Portland Heliport - website page
6) HMS Osprey: End of an Era - RNAS Portland 1959-1999 - Iain Ross (editor) - Resort Marketing & Publishing Ltd - 1998 - book
7) HMS Osprey: Information Handbook - 15th edition - 1991 - The Constitutional Press Ltd - book
8) Invest in Dorset - Osprey Quay, Portland - website page
9) Jurassic Agent - The Jurassic Coast: HMS Osprey - website page
10) Navy News - Naval heliport opened at Portland - Issue No. 61 - June 1959 - article
11) Pastscape - HMS Sarepta - website page
12) The Independent - Portland's naval history ends as last warship sails - Will Bennet - July 1995 - website page
13) The Rise and Fall of Portland Naval Base 1845-1995 - Geoffrey Carter - 1998 - report
14) Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy - Official Website - History of WPNSA - website page
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