Fleet Air Arm Cartoon Britannia Patch 801 Naval Air Squadron NAS Sea Harrier FA 2 (4 Inch) Variant A

801 NAS Carton Britannia Fleet Air Arm 801 Naval Air Squadron Patch Sea Harrier FA.2 HMS Illustrious 1995 Taiwan Made

This 801 NAS Carton Britannia patch has the following characteristics;

• Country: United Kingdom
• Service: Royal Navy – Fleet Air Arm
• Squadron: 801 Naval Air Squadron
• Aircraft: BAe Sea Harrier FA.2
• Base: RNAS Yeovilton
• Carrier: HMS Illustrious
• Period: 1995
• Construction: Embroidered on twill with merrowed edge.
• Size: 101 mm (4 inches) diameter

Manufactured by Bill Brooks, sub contracted to Taiwan.

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Patch Description

This original Fleet Air Arm 801 Naval Air Squadron patch dates from 1995, when the Squadron operated the BAe Sea Harrier FA.2 from RNAS Yeovilton and aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. Embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge, the badge represents one of the Fleet Air Arm’s premier fighter squadrons during the final years of Sea Harrier operations.

The badge features a cartoon Sea Harrier depicted as Britannia, Britain’s traditional national figure. The aircraft carries Britannia’s trident and shield, while holding a red rose, combining patriotic symbolism with the Squadron’s advanced fighter aircraft. The black-and-white chequered border and Squadron number complete one of the Fleet Air Arm’s most distinctive modern squadron designs.

Originally reactivated at RNAS Lossiemouth in 1962, 801 Naval Air Squadron introduced the Blackburn Buccaneer S.1 into Royal Navy service, earning the Boyd Trophy for bringing the aircraft successfully into operational use. After disbanding in 1970, the Squadron reformed at RNAS Yeovilton in 1981 equipped with the Sea Harrier FRS.1.

During the 1982 Falklands War, 801 NAS embarked aboard HMS Invincible, where its pilots achieved eight confirmed air-to-air victories while defending the Task Force. The Squadron became one of the Fleet Air Arm’s most celebrated fighter units of the conflict.

This patch represents the Squadron during its 1995 deployment aboard HMS Illustrious supporting NATO operations over the former Yugoslavia. Shortly afterwards the Squadron converted to the Sea Harrier FA.2, equipped with the powerful Blue Vixen radar and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, making it one of the world’s most capable carrier-based fleet defence fighters. The Squadron later deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operation Southern Watch, flying the Royal Navy’s first operational sorties armed with AMRAAM.

The Sea Harrier FA.2 remained in frontline service until 2006 when the Squadron disbanded following the aircraft’s retirement. Original 801 NAS patches featuring this humorous “Britannia Sea Harrier” design are highly sought after by collectors of Fleet Air Arm, Sea Harrier and Falklands memorabilia.

Squadron history 1962 2007

801 Naval Air Squadron NAS was reactivated at HMS Fulmar RNAS Lossiemouth on 18 March 1962 equipped with Buccaneer S1 tasked with maritime strike. The Squadron embarked ten aircraft on HMS Victorious for a Far East tour in July 1962. The squadron subsequently received the 1967 Boyd Trophy annual award for the best squadron in the Fleet Air Arm for its efforts in bringing the Buccaneer into service. The Squadron transferred operations to HMS Hermes and embarked seven aircraft for a further Far East tour in 1968. In March 1969 HMS Hermes returned to the UK to spend the next year in Home and Mediterranean waters. The squadron disbanded at Lossiemouth on the 21 July 1970.

801 NAS was reactivated in January 1981 at RNAS Yeovilton equipped with Sea Harrier FRS 1 and deployed aboard HMS Invincible for the Falklands War with an additional three aircraft and crews transferred from the Harrier training squadron 899 NAS. The Squadron shot down eight Argentine aircraft while it lost four aircraft and two pilots during the conflict. The Squadron joined 820 NAS and 849 NAS on HMS Ark Royal for deployment to USA New York in 1986. 801 Squadron joined 820 NAS and 849 NAS on HMS Illustrious for deployment to the Adriatic in March 1995 to support UN air combat operation over the former Yugoslavia. In the mid 1990s the squadron reequipped with the more capable Sea Harrier FA2 and embarked on HMS Illustrious in 1997 for the Gulf for Operation Southern Watch carrying out its first mission armed with AMRAAM.

On 31 March 2006 the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Yeovilton as the final Sea Harrier FA2 was withdrawn from service. 801 NAS and 800 NAS were due to re commission at RAF Cottesmore in March 2007 to operate the Harrier GR7 and GR9 Harriers. However due to lack of manpower all personnel allocated for 801 and 800 NAS instead formed Naval Strike Wing NSW at RAF Cottesmore on 7 March 2007. On 1 April 2010 Naval Strike Wing reverted to the identity of 800 Naval Air Squadron and disbanded on 15 December 2010.

This patch dates from 1995.

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