Dates: 1917 - 1999
RNAS Portland was an air station of the Royal Navy from 1917.
The site was first built in 1917 as HMS Serepta, within the confines of Portland Harbour as a seaplane base; the aircraft operating from the base’s slipways. In 1919, No. 241 Squadron RAF (formed from RNAS flights operating there in 1918) was disbanded and aviation operations ceased.
In 1946, Hoverfly R-4Bs moved in and the base’s playing fields were taken over as a landing ground and became the site of the modern heliport. 815 Naval Air Squadron flew its 12 Whirlwinds in from RNAS Eglinton on 14 April 1959 and the station was formally commissioned as HMS Osprey on 24 April 1959.
The base was gradually improved over the years, with the addition of a (short) main runway and landing spots. It has been the home of the small ships’ flight Wasp, Wessex and Lynx fleet and at one point, the slipway was used by hovercraft.
As the base wound down, Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) moved to Plymouth (HMS Drake). The Royal Navy closed HMS Osprey on 31 March 1999.
When HMS Osprey closed, the RN School of Helicopter Control moved to its new premises at HMS Heron (RNAS Yeovilton) and the Fleet Target Group moved to HMS Seahawk (RNAS Culdrose) and became 792 Naval Air Squadron in Nov 2001.
Portland is also famous for having one of the shortest runways (04/22 at 229 m) in England. Although the Naval Establishment has closed, the heliport remains available for the HM Coastguard SAR flight.
Added on 12/07/2010I have never yet seen any mention of HMS Osprey in its role as A TAS (Torpedo & Antisubmarine) Training School (Control).
It was situated at the top of the hill road that led up through the Naval Base. I taught all aspects of control instruments and equipment; operating procedures and maintenance. I qualified as a UC(3) there in 1957/8 and other periods when qualifying UC(2) and UC(1). It would be good to see a picture of the Establishment as it was during that time. Classroom instruction and accommodation was in Osprey and pracical experience was provided by ships in the 2nd Training Flotilla.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Osprey
" Dough, Just reread your post of the storms and found another question that you asked. Naval air stations that I served on. 1958 HMS Seahawk. Helston Cornwall. 1964 HMS Ariel. Lee On Solent, Hants. 1965 HMS Condor. Arbroath, Scotland 1966 HMS Ariel. Lee on Solent ..."
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" I,m seeking information, on a lost brother adopted at birth ROGER GEORGE BECK, we (family)have established through different records at the time of marriage 2/11/1963 he was stationed at HMS Osprey and are fairly certain that at sometime in his naval career served on HMS Victorious. Sorry to say, ..."
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" Quoting: PETER OSBORNE I,m seeking information, on a lost brother adopted at birth ROGER GEORGE BECK, we (family)have established through different records at the time of marriage 2/11/1963 he was stationed at HMS Osprey and are fairly certain that at sometime in his naval career served on ..."
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" fredrick john walker. first world war ,battleship ajax midshipman later joined destroyers mermaid then sarpedon as s/lt, end of first world war joined battleship valiant , in between wars took to studying anti submarine tactics, something new in rn. in may 1933 he served as commander ..."
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" Anne Marie. May I just enlighten you? HMS Raleigh is the Royal Navy Training Establishment at Torpoint in Cornwall and HMS Osprey was Royal Naval Air Station Portland, Dorset. What years did Bill serve at those places? Good luck in your search. Last edited by Ray McWilliams"
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