Royal Navy Martlet MkIII FAA 881NAS xx865 prior to take off McKinnon Road East Africa IWM A13665

A Grumman Martlet from No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, takes off from a dusty landing strip at McKinnon Road, East Africa. The Royal Naval Air Station was built deep in the African bush and was used as a base by squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm.

Source: IWM (A 13665) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186159

Royal Navy Martlet MkIII FAA 881NAS Red B AJ132 prior to take off McKinnon Road East Africa IWM A13665

Grumman Martlet aircraft from No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, warm up for take off at a dusty landing strip at McKinnon Road, East Africa. The Royal Naval Air Station was built deep in the African bush and was used as a base by squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm.

Source: IWM (A 13667) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119605

Royal Navy Martlet MkIII FAA 881NAS taking off from McKinnon Road East Africa IWM A13664

Two Grumman Martlet fighters of 881 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm taking off at dawn from McKinnon Road, East Africa. The Royal Naval Air Station was built deep in the African bush as a base for squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. Note the portable wind sock in the foreground, its limp nature showing the windless dawn.

Source: IWM (A 13664) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186158

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 881NAS White J AM974 prior to take off McKinnon Road East Africa IWM A13666

A Grumman Martlet from No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, takes off from a dusty landing strip at McKinnon Road, East Africa. The Royal Naval Air Station was built deep in the African bush and was used as a base by squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm.

Source: IWM (A 13666) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186158

Royal Navy Martlet III FAA 881NAS AJ115 AJ121 AJ131 AJ123 and MkII AM994 aboard HMS Illustrious IWM A15063
Royal Navy Martlet III FAA 881NAS Red D AJ115 aboard HMS Illustrious IWM A15063
Royal Navy Martlet II FAA 881NAS Red N AM994 aboard HMS Illustrious IWM A15063
Royal Navy Martlet III FAA 881NAS Red W AJ121 aboard HMS Illustrious IWM A15063

A big range of aircraft parked at the forward end of the flight deck of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS after landing on completion of an exercise in the Indian Ocean. In the immediate foreground are Grumman Hellcats and Grumman Wildcats and further forward are Fairey Fulmars and Fairey Swordfish. A destroyer can be seen sailing in the distance.

Source: IWM (A 15063) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186286

Royal Navy Martlet III FAA 881NAS preparing for take off HMS Illustrious Indian Ocean IWM A15110

Some of the flight deck party assist in taxi-ing a Grumman Wildcat of No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm into position before taking off from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean.

Source: IWM (A 15110) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186287

Royal Navy Martlet III FAA 881NAS preparing for take off HMS Illustrious Indian Ocean IWM A15111

Some of the flight deck party assist in taxi-ing a Grumman Wildcat of No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm into position before taking off from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean.

Source: IWM (A 15111) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186288

Royal Navy Martlet II FAA 881NAS Red J AM974 preparing for take off HMS Illustrious Indian Ocean IWM A15112

The Flight Deck Officer signals to the pilot of a Grumman Wildcat of No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm that he is cleared to take off from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean.

Source: IWM (A 15112) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186289

Royal Navy Martlet II FAA 881NAS Red J AM974 taking off from HMS Illustrious Indian Ocean IWM A15117A

A Grumman Wildcat of No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm takes off from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean.

Source: IWM (A 15117A) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186291

Royal Navy Martlet III FAA 881NAS landing aboard HMS Illustrious Indian Ocean IWM A15121A

A "Bats" officer signalling to a Grumman Wildcat of 881 Squadron coming in to land on HMS ILLUSTRIOUS whilst she is sailing through the Indian Ocean.

Source: IWM (A 15121A) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186294

Royal Navy Martlet III FAA 881NAS Red W AJ121 landing aboard HMS Illustrious Indian Ocean IWM A15125A

The Flight Deck Officer signals to the pilot of a Grumman Wildcat of No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm that he is cleared to land on HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean. He is giving the "Cut Engine" signal

Source: IWM (A 15125A) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186295

HMS Illustrious flight deck with FAA 806NAS Fairey Fulmars with HMS Valiant astern Indian Ocean IWM A15152

As seen from the flight deck of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, the battleship HMS VALIANT has a practice shoot for its 15 inch guns during exercises. The planes in the foreground are Fairey Fulmars of 806 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm.

Source: IWM (A 15152) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186303