This volume of Transactions of the Naval Dockyards Society is the collection of papers submitted to our 2016 Conference held at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. The conference commemorated the role of Royal Naval Air Stations in defending dockyards from the First World War onwards both at home and overseas.
The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) was formed from the Naval Wing of the joint Royal Flying Corps (RFC) which was founded in 1912 and from 1914, when the RFC became the flying branch of the British Army, it was administered by the Admiralty Air Department. The RNAS merged with the RFC as the Royal Air Force in 1918. In 1924 the Fleet Air Arm was formed of RAF units operating from RN ships, brought under Admiralty control in 1939.
Naval air stations guarded dockyards and promoted research and development. German Zeppelins attacked Portsmouth and Rosyth Dockyards in 1916, prompting the building of air-raid shelters. In 1917 the first night-time Gotha raid on Chatham Naval Barracks led to the first anti-aircraft-gun emplacements. During the Second World War the bombing of Devonport and Portsmouth caused anti-aircraft batteries and radar stations to be set up, while Pembroke Dock became the largest operational flying-boat base in the world.
These papers cover a range of disciplines and locations. Three address the development of Solent and Channel-based air stations during the First World War. Jim Humberstone, in 'Calshot, the Solent and the establishment of Royal Naval Air Stations around British Coasts: 1911-1918', shows the symbiosis between manufacturers and air stations. Many Solent boatbuilders switched to making planes. Colin van Geffen, in 'Calshot: The RNAS years', shows that there were 34 aeroplanes and over 100 ships at the 1914 Spithead review, just before the outbreak of the First World War. Two hundred volunteers flew on Channel patrols from Calshot. Finally, Bob Wealthy in 'Wings over Lee: Origins of Naval Aviation at Lee-on-the-Solent from 1917' shows how as more training and operational sites were needed, Lee-on-the-Solent became an outstation.
Two papers investigate strategies, politics, and experimental technologies behind the RNAS. Dr Philip MacDougall, in 'A Deliberately Suppressed History - the Royal Navy's Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishments', argues that the RNAS was more sophisticated than the RFC and was given more advanced strategic roles. Tina Bilbé, in 'Anti-Zeppelin Experiments Combining Airship and Aeroplane Technology', traces developments as early as 1903. The paper identifies the initial RNAS role being to protect dockyards and ordnance facilities from enemy airships.
Looking overseas Ian Stafford examines 'The Royal Naval Air Service and Air Defence of the Halifax Naval Yard and Base: a study in waning enthusiasm'. The Admiralty needed the station to protect the yard and Nova Scotia's coast against submarine attack.
With a contrasting human focus, Celia Clark addresses the career of her grandfather: 'In search of Leslie Bates RNAS'. He trained as a fitter and turner and joined the RNAS in 1915, becoming a leading air mechanic. She shows the impressive trajectory of the man who became Air Vice-Marshal Sir Leslie Bates KBE, CB.

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