Society of Friends Fleet Air Arm Museum
+44 1935 840565

The FAA Museum's archive has received a uniform worn by a crew member who particiapated in the famous Taranto Raid of November 1940. Here Barbara Gilbert explains its significance. A SOFFAAM membership helps us make regular grants towards the conservation of rare artefacts like this. See our Taranto 80 Membership Special Offer pinned post Don't delay join today! www.fleetairarmfriends.org.uk

Fleet Air Arm awarded Taranto Battle Honour Following their night carrier strike on the Italian battle fleet and harbour at Taranto, southern Italy the Fleet Air Arm gained the ‘Taranto 1940’ battle honour. Aircrew from four squadrons had taken part in the operation comprising 813, 815, 819 & 824 NAS. The quote from Admiral Cunningham says everything... www.fleetairarmfriends.org.uk

The Italian Navy’s anchorage at Taranto pictured on 12 November 1940 after the overnight attack by 21 Fairey Swordfish of the Fleet Air Arm. Fuel oil can be seen streaming from several damaged warships in the harbour. The strike, which had been launched from the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, changed the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean.

One Hundred years ago today the Unknown Warrior was laid to rest so the nation would never forget the sacrifice of a generation...

WIN Win win Last chance to enter our Kit Modelling Competition 1:72 Scale First Prize is Membership to the Society of Friends Fleet Air Arm Museum (SoFFAAM) for a 1 year subscription*. Certificates will be awarded for Second and Third places. Your model must be a naval aircraft from any era and any Naval Air Arm but it must be 1:72 scale. You can only enter one model per person and there is just one category and it is open to all ages. Submit a maximum of 5 photos depicting... your model. Two photos at least MUST be of the whole model, the other three can be detail photos if you wish. Each photo must be no larger than 4Mb. Send your photos to Richard Macauley at [email protected] Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions, photos are the only way for the judges to view the models entered. Closing date for sending photos is 27 September 2020. Photos entered after this date will not be considered. The winners will be notified by Sunday 4 October 2020. No correspondence will be entered into, the judges’ decisions are final. See our website for Membership benefits www.fleetairarmfriends.org.uk There is the potential for the winning model (or photographs thereof) to be exhibited on the SoFFAAM stand at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, subject to Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions and the winner’s permission. *There are different types of SoFFAAM Memberships, Individual, Junior (5-15 years) and Family. The corresponding type of Membership will be awarded to the winner. No cash equivalents will be given. See more

In 1953 Supermarine Chief Test Pilot and former Fleet Air Arm Pilot Commander Mike Lithgow took the World Airspeed Record for Britain. He was flying a Supermarine Swift F.4 over Tripoli harbour in the then Kingdom of Libya.

When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.

Register for AGM A final call for this week’s virtual meeting which is the Society AGM. Hear from the Fleet Air Arm Museum manager on the steps they’re taking to ensure the popular South Somerset attraction can still provide an enjoyable visitor experience. Our Chairman will give an update on how we hope to restore a programme for members and you’ll get the opportunity to have your say. To join us see Page 3 of the latest Jabberwock for the link. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday evening.

Although members overseas won’t have received it yet the Society’s autumn edition of our 40 page quarterly journal Jabberwock is out. Featured on the front cover are F-35B Lightning aircraft of 617 Dambusters Squadron based at RAF Marham. Not yet a member? Then lockdown is the ideal time to join - all monies go to supporting Yeovilton’s Fleet Air Arm Museum, housing Europe’s largest collection of naval aircraft. www.fleetairarmfriends.org.uk

On the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain SOFFAAM remembers those all those members of the Fleet Air Arm that fought and died alongside the RAF and were part of Churchill's "Few". Interested in military and naval aviation? Then SOFFAAM is the Society for you. For only 1 per month you'll receive our 40-page quarterly journal Jabberwock full of such content. SOFFAAM membership also makes an ideal gift.

Notice of AGM These are challenging times for the Society as well as for the Museum we support and the members Council has not been idle. As explained by the Chairman in his recent letter the Council continues to seek ways of resuming a programme of meetings and activities for members to enjoy. Our AGM at the end of this month will be an opportunity to hear about the Society's plans going forward. There will also be a report from the Museum's Manager about how FAAM is coping. We would urge all members, including those overseas, to attend the AGM. You can do this risk free from the comfort of your own home via our weblink. Details of how to access the link can be found on Page 3 of the latest Jabberwock. We look forward to seeing you at this event.

On this day in 1951 the first twin engined naval fighter designed by Supermarine flew from Boscombe Down. Built at Hursley Park, Hampshire and transport by road for that first flight, the Type 508 as it was known was unusual in having a 'butterfly' V tail. The design would eventually evolve to become the Supermarine Scimitar in Fleet Air Arm service. The Supermariners

Win a 12 month membership to SOFFAAM Have a go at making a 1:72 scale plastic model of any naval aviation type from any era to win. Membership includes entry to the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton, Somerset as well as receiving the Society's 40 page Jabberwock journal every quarter. For full details on how to enter this kit competition see the pinned post at the top of our page. Good luck!

A perfect example from Airfix of something you might like to build for our naval aviation society's free to enter 1:72 scale plastic kit modelling competition! First Prize is 12 months SoFFAAM membership. Furthermore, it's a naval aircraft from 809 Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, as featured in our recently published 100th Jabberwock magazine, free to members. ... See the pinned post at the top of this page for details and closing date.

Just a great Battle of Britain photo...

Of all the targets bombed by the Luftwaffe on 18th August 1940 RNAS Ford suffered the heaviest casualties. Of the 28 Ju 87 dive-bombers that attacked the naval airfield in Southern England three were shot down. There were losses on both sides that day.

England Expects... The 18th August 1940 would later become famous as the hardest fought day in the summer long Battle of Britain. No less than 56 Fleet Air Arm pilots served alongside their light blue colleagues in Royal Air Force squadrons during the Battle and 9 were killed in action.

On this day in 1940 a formation of over 80 Luftwaffe Ju 87 Stuka dive-bombers attacked the Royal Naval Air Stations at Gosport, Hampshire and Ford in West Sussex around 2.30pm. Neither airfield was an RAF Battle of Britain frontline fighter station. Gosport housed a torpedo development unit while the naval air observers training school was based at Ford. Ford was left a smoking ruin with 28 sailors and civilians killed. In addition 40 Fleet Air Arm aircraft, including Swordfish, Albacores, Sharks and Walrus, were destroyed or damaged in the bombing.

Just a reminder that we are the only organisation that funds purely the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Please join us from 12 per annum.