It formed at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, as a Fleet Fighter squadron, in November 1941.

[3] The squadron was intended to embark on Avenger-class escort carrier HMS Biter, but after working up it operated as part of No.

[1] The squadron returned to the Fleet Air Arm on 21 July at RNAS Hatston (HMS Sparrowhawk), Mainland, Orkney, and then embarked in the Illustrious-class aircraft carrier HMS Victorious to help provide fighter cover for the Malta convoy Operation Pedestal.

Its Fairey Fulmar were replaced by hooked Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft and it also converted to Supermarine Seafire, a navalised Spitfire, however, the squadron re-embarked to provide fighter cover during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa.

13 and 14 Groups in Fighter Command, operating from various Royal Air Force stations around Scotland, before disbanding at RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail), on 20 July 1943.