About Yeovilton:
• Yeovilton History
• Yeovilton Dates
• Yeovilton Participating Aircraft
Location:
• Google Map
• County: Somerset
• Satnav Postcode: BA22 8HT
Travel Information:
• Directions - Enter your postcode
• AA Route Finder
• RAC Route Finder
• National Rail
• National Express
Accommodation:
• Travelodge
• Premier Inn
Weather Forecast:
• General UK weather forecast
• Local weather Met Office
• Local weather BBC
Yeovilton Photographs:
• Photos Yeovilton (2018)
• Photos Yeovilton (2009)
• Photos Yeovilton (2007)
• Photos Yeovilton (2007)
• Photos Yeovilton (2005)
• Photos Yeovilton (2003)
• Photos Yeovilton (2002)
General Information:
• Yeovilton Scanner Frequencies
• Checklists
• Live Stream 2019
Official Website & Links:
• Yeovilton Air Day Website
• Yeovilton Air Day Facebook
• Yeovilton Air Day Twitter
• Royal Navy Website
• RNAS Yeovilton
Museum:
• Fleet Air Arm Museum
UK Airshows 2024:
UK Airshows (England):
• Shuttleworth Airshows
• Duxford Airshows
• Royal International Air Tattoo
• Farnborough Airshow
• RAF Cosford Airshow
• Flying legends Airshow - cancelled
• Abingdon Air & Country Show
• Midlands Air Festival
• Little Gransden Airshow
• Airbourne (Eastbourne) Airshow
• Southport Airshow
• Clacton Airshow
• Bournemouth Air Festival
• Blackpool Airshow
• English Riviera Airshow
• Teignmouth Airshow
• Headcorn Battle of Britain
• Old Buckenham Airshow
• East Kirkby Airshow
• Sywell Airshow
UK Airshows (Wales):
• Wales National Air Show
• Rhyl Air Show - cancelled
UK Airshows (Scotland):
• International Ayr Show
UK Airshows (Northern Ireland):
• NI International Airshow
UK Airshows (Channel Islands):
• Jersey International Air Display
• Guernsey Air Display
Flypasts/Events 2024:
• King's Birthday Flypast
RNAS Yeovilton History
Yeovilton was commisioned in 1939 as HMS Heron. During the Second World War it was used as a fighter training school for the FAA (Fleet Air Arm), and as an occasional shore base for disembarked frontline squadrons. Aircraft seen here during World War 2 include the Master, Roc, Sea Gladiator, Sea Hurricane, Spitfire, Fulmar, Martlet, and Firefly.
After the War, Yeovilton expanded considerably when it became shore base for the fleet's all-weather fighters with the Sea Vixen and later the Phantom. In 1972, Yeovilton's involvement with fixed-winged aviation came to a temporary close with the only resident aircraft based here being a number of Commando helicopter squadrons. However in 1979 the first STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) Sea Harrier FRS1 aircraft arrived at Yeovilton together with Sea King Commando helicopters.
The Sea Harrier FRS.1 was replaced by the much improved Sea Harrier FA2 in 1993 which was eventually withdrawn from service in 2006. The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Air Force then shared the Harrier GR9, which was based at RAF Cottesmore, until all Harrier operations ceased in 2010 after the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The Harrier is to be replaced by the F-35B 'Lightning II' Joint Strike Fighter which will operate from the new Queen Elizabeth class carriers from 2018. The RAF and Fleet Air Arm will share these aircraft which will be based at RAF Marham or deployed on the carriers and operated by Fleet Air Arm & RAF pilots.
Today, RNAS Yeovilton is home to the Lynx HMA.8 (Operational on Frigates and Destroyers), Wildcat HMA.2 , Merlin HC.3 (Royal Marines Commando Support) and the Wildcat AH.1. (Royal Marines Commando Support). In October 2015, the Army's Wildcat AH.1 was merged with Yeovilton's Wildcats so that the 62 UK military Wildcats on order will all operate from RNAS Yeovilton. It is also home to 'A' Flight with the Hawk T.1, 727 Naval Air Squadron with the Tutor T.1, and the Royal Navy Historic Flight.
The Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) was established at RNAS Yeovilton in 1972 and became the home for a number of aircraft that had been donated to the Royal Navy over more than a decade. The RNHF consists of the Fairey Swordfish, Hawker Sea Fury, Sea Hawk, and Chipmunk T.10. More information on the RNHF can be found
here.
In 2019, the 'RNAS Yeoviton International Air Day' was renamed the 'Royal Navy International Air Day'. As the RNAS Culdrose Air Day saw its last show in 2016 then Yeovilton renamed their airshow to reflect that it was now the only Royal Navy Airshow.
The RNAS Yeoviton International Air Day was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and also cancelled in 2021 because of the uncertainty with COVID-19 and current government policy on large outdoor gatherings. RNAS Yeovilton confirmed that the air show would not take place in 2022 due to commercial reasons but hoped it would return in 2023, however, the MOD have confirmed that the Royal Navy International Air Day will NOT go ahead in 2023.