Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS A AM977 aboard HMS Formidable nr Madagascar Apr May 1942 01

A Grumman Martlet of 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm being catapulted from HMS FORMIDABLE, while squadron crew prepare the next aircraft during operations round Madagascar. The force left Colombo on 24 April and put into the Seychelles on 1 May. The Fleet Air Arm carried out extensive searches and patrols over a wide area during the operation. The covering force then put into Mombasa on 10 May after the operation was concluded.

Source: IWM A 9715 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185764

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS A AM977 with P N n E HMS Formidable nr Madagascar Apr May 1942 01

A Grumman Martlet of 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm being catapulted from HMS FORMIDABLE, while squadron crew prepare the next aircraft during operations round Madagascar. The force left Colombo on 24 April and put into the Seychelles on 1 May. The Fleet Air Arm carried out extensive searches and patrols over a wide area during the operation. The covering force then put into Mombasa on 10 May after the operation was concluded.

Source: IWM A 11648 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205016077

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS A AM977 with P N n E HMS Formidable nr Madagascar Apr May 1942 02

Four Grumman Martlets of No 888 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, based on HMS FORMIDABLE, shown in flight over the sea on active service.

Source: IWM A 11649 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185960

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS White D AJ128 aboard HMS Formidable Feb 1942 IWM A11640

A Grumman Martlet of 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm warming up before take off on board HMS FORMIDABLE. Several bare chested members of the ships crew are holding on to the aircraft's wings whilst others work on its undercarriage.

Source: IWM A 11648 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185956

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS White D AJ128 aboard HMS Formidable Feb 1942 IWM A11644

A Grumman Martlet of 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm taxi-ing forward after landing on board HMS FORMIDABLE.

Source: IWM A 11648 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185958

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS White D AJ128 aboard HMS Formidable Feb 1942 IWM A11645

A Grumman Martlet of 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm taxi-ing forward after landing on board HMS FORMIDABLE.

Source: IWM A 11648 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185959

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS G about to land aboard HMS Formidable nr Madagascar Apr May 1942 01

A Grumman Martlet fighter of 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm from the aircraft carrier FORMIDABLE flying over HMS WARSPITE while circling to land during operations round Madagascar. The force left Colombo on 24 April and put into the Seychelles on 1 May. The Fleet Air Arm carried out extensive searches and patrols over a wide area during the operation. The covering force then put into Mombasa on 10 May after the operation was concluded.

Source: IWM A 9712 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185762

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS I AM978 aboard HMS Formidable nr Madagascar Apr May 1942 01

A Grumman Martlet fighter being catapulted from HMS FORMIDABLE while squadron crew are preparing the aircraft in the foreground for the catapult. The Commander (Flying) is seen on his bridge (bottom right, no cap) during operations round Madagascar. The force left Colombo on 24 April and put into the Seychelles on 1 May. The Fleet Air Arm carried out extensive searches and patrols over a wide area during the operation. The covering force then put into Mombasa on 10 May after the operation was concluded.

Source: IWM A 9714 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185763

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS L AM986 aboard HMS Formidable nr Madagascar Apr May 1942 01

After landing a Grumman Martlet of 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm is seen taxi-ing along the flight deck of HMS FORMIDABLE to the forward hangar. HMS WARSPITE and the AMC ALAUNIA can be seen in the background during operations round Madagascar. The force left Colombo on 24 April and put into the Seychelles on 1 May. The Fleet Air Arm carried out extensive searches and patrols over a wide area during the operation. The covering force then put into Mombasa on 10 May after the operation was concluded. Two ships of the force can be seen in the distance.

Source: IWM A 9716 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185765

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS M with its wings folded being brought up in the lift IWM A11635

A Grumman Martlet of 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm with its wings folded being brought up in the lift for ranging on board HMS FORMIDABLE under a bright sun.

Source: IWM A 11635 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185953

Royal Navy HMS Formidable near Madagascar Apr May 1942 01

HMS FORMIDABLE, underway coastal waters.

Source: IWM A 11660 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205016078

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS circles past HMS Warspite to land aboard HMS Formidable Madagascar IWM A9713

A Grumman Martlet fighter of No 888 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm operating from the aircraft carrier HMS FORMIDABLE, is seen flying over HMS WARSPITE while circling to land during Madagascar operations.

Source: IWM A 9713 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119521

Royal Navy Martlet MkII FAA 888NAS White 07A AJ148 aboard HMS Formidable Oran Algeria Dec 1942 SC-169214

British Royal Navy Martlet II fighter (Serial # AJ148) Parked at La Senia air base, Oran, Algeria, 14 December 1942. Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Catalog #: SC 169214.

Source: https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nara-series/sc-series/SC-100000/SC-169214.html