FAA squadron codes early 1940

[Pieter H]

I am stuck trying to find the Fleet Air Arm squadron codes in april-May 1940.
I think there was on the one hand a systematic coding scheme of an carrier letter, squadron number and individual letter.
So HMS Ark Royal squadrons started with A, followed by the squadon order number. A2 was No. 810 Sqn, A4 was No. 820 Sqn (I think). These codes were then followed by the individual aircraft letter. A2A, A2B, etc.
Simlarly HMS Glorious (G), Furious (U), Hermes (H), Eagle (?) and Illustrious (L).
The list of codes I compiled (without any claims to correctness):
810 A2
820 A4
802 G6
812 G3
825 G5
816 U4
818 U3
814 H3
824 5
806 L6
815 L3
Still missing: 800, 801, 803, 804, 813, 819, 821, 823

So question 1: can someone confirm this was the coding scheme, and if yes what were the squadron codes?

But then there seemed to be a second coding scheme, essentially a number followed by the individual aircraft letter; 2Q, 4A, 4B, 5H, 6L, etc.
What confuses me is that these codes pop up all over the place, and at a certain moment they seem to have been used by multiple squadrons.

So question 2: was there any systemacy behind this second type of coding?

All in all pretty confusing, this FAA coding. Hope someone can bring clarity.

Regards, Pieter

[Graham Boak]

The key point is that the codes are not permanently attached to the unit, but to the carrier, and at different times will be carried by different units.

The carrier each had an identifying letter, as you describe. Eagle was E. Formidable was F, but was seen (later) with the symbol of the Greek letter PHI (=F).

The second number identifies the role, and the seniority of the squadron carrying out that role. By 1939 that meant torpedo spotter-reconnaissance 1-5, fighters 6-7, but the earlier numbers had been used for the spotter-recce role only, which is why Swordfish units tend to carry 4 and 5.

The final letter is that of the individual aircraft in the squadron.

The first, carrier identity, code was often omitted because the RN was rarely in a position to operate more than one carrier in any given force. Hence the codes you mention last.

For a full list, you need a copy of the Air Britain book Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm. All the codes you list are correct, 824 being E5.
800 A6, 801 U6 then A7, 803 A7 then S6 then A7 and A8, 804 uncoded with Gladiators, 813 E4, 819 L5, 821 A5, 823 G4

The S code was for shore-based operational squadrons.

[Pieter H]

Hi Graham,

Perfect, exactly what I needed.
Thanks a lot!

Pieter