| Unit Name: | 726 Naval Air Squadron |
| Dates: | 7 July 1943 - 3 November 1945 |
| Type: | Fleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron |
| Role: | Fleet Requirements Unit |
| Size: | Squadron |
| Command Structure: | Fleet Air Arm |
| Garrison: | RN Air Section Durban (HMS Kongoni) |
| Identification Symbol: | Per fess blue and Barry wavy of six white and blue, two assegais in saltire points in base surmounted by a Zulu shield all proper (1945) |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Squadron Badge |
726 Naval Air Squadron (726 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was formed as a Fleet Requirements Unit from 1943 to 1945, operating out of R.N. Air Section Durban (HMS Kongoni), at S.A.A.F. Station Stamford Hill, Durban, South Africa, during its existence. It operated various aircraft including, Bristol Beaufighter, Boulton Paul Defiant, Fairey Fulmar, North American Harvard, Vought Kingfisher, Miles Martinet and Fairey Swordfish.
726 Naval Air Squadron formed at R.N. Air Section Durban (HMS Kongoni), located at S.A.A.F. Station, Stamford Hill, Durban, South Africa, on 7 July 1943, as a Fleet Requirements Unit. The squadron was initially equipped with two Vought Kingfisher landplane aircraft.[1] From August 1943 the squadron received Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber and Fairey Fulmar carrier-borne reconnaissance aircraft/fighter aircraft, however, the Fairey Fulmar were gone by October.
In December 1943, the squadron received Boulton Paul Defiant, an interceptor aircraft, repurposed as a target tug aircraft, however, six months later these were withdrawn, replaced by Miles Martinet, a target tug aircraft, designed specifically for target towing, in June 1944. Additionally, Bristol Beaufighter multi-role aircraft arrived in that month as well, but were gone during the following September. North American Harvard an American single-engined advanced trainer aircraft, arrived around May 1945, however, 726 NAS disbanded on the 3 November 1945.[2]
The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types, including:[2]
726 Naval Air Squadron operated from lodger faculties for one disembarked R.N. Squadron, at S.A.A.F. Station, Stamford Hill, Durban, South Africa:
List of commanding officers of 726 Naval Air Squadron with month and year of appointment and end:[2]