[2] On 16 June 1924 Abel Smith was attached to the Royal Air Force, who were in control of all naval aviation at that time, with the rank of flying officer, to attend No.

From 23 October 1925 he was stationed at HMS Columbine, the naval base at Port Edgar in the Firth of Forth, then from 3 April 1926 served as the Flight Commander of No.

In August 1939 he was appointed Commander (Flying) in the carrier HMS Courageous which was sunk by a U-boat on 17 September 1939 off the south coast of Ireland, losing half her complement.

From 5 July 1940 Abel Smith served as Commanding Officer of HMS Condor, the Royal Naval Air Station at Arbroath.

In January 1942 he was appointed Commanding Officer of the escort carrier Biter, and received a Mention in Despatches for his efforts during the invasion of North Africa ("Operation Torch").

He returned to shore duty in July 1943 to serve as commander of HMS Heron (RNAS Yeovilton).