700 Naval Air Squadron (700 NAS) is an experimental test squadron in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. 

Originally formed om 21 January 140 at RNAS Hatson in the Orkneys. Its initial compliment was 42 Walruses, 11 Seafoxed and 12 Swordfishes.
From the mid fifties a number of Intensive Flying Trials Units were formed under the 700 NAS squadroon title.


Intensive Flying Trials Units (IFTU)

700H NAS	1955-57, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Westland Whirlwind HAS.7
700X NAS	1957-58, Supermarine Scimitar F.1
700Y NAS	1958-59, RNAS Yeovilton, de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1
700X NAS	1959-61, RNAS Yeovilton, Saro P.531
700H NAS	1960-61, HMS Vengeance, Fairey Gannet and Hawker Sea Hawk deck and launch trials
700H NAS	1960-?, Westland Wessex HAS.1
700Z NAS	1961-63, RNAS Lossiemouth, Blackburn Buccaneer S.1
700V NAS	1963-64, Westland Wessex HU.5
700W NAS	1963-64, Westland Wasp HAS.1
700B NAS	1965-?, RNAS Lossiemouth, Blackburn Buccaneer S.2
700H NAS	1967-?, Westland Wessex HAS.3
700P NAS	1968-69, McDonnell Douglas F-4K Phantom II FG.1
700S NAS	1969-70, Westland Sea King HAS.1
700L NAS	1976-77, RNAS Yeovilton, Westland Lynx HAS.2
700A NAS	1979-80, RNAS Yeovilton, BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1
700L NAS	1990-92, RNAS Yeovilton, Westland Lynx HAS.2, (Lynx CTS Trials)
700M NAS	1998-2008, RNAS Culdrose, AgustaWestland Merlin HM.1
700W NAS	2009-2014, RNAS Yeovilton, AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2
700X NAS	2014-, RNAS Culdrose, Boeing Insitu ScanEagle, COTS Mini RPAS

These units were intended to test the new aircraft types coming into service. They were independant units identified by the letter following the squadron number.
700A NAS was formed to test and appraise the Sea Harrier FRS.1 out of RNAS Yeovilton. 

I have painted the AV8B Harrier II into the squadron colours of 700A NAS as they were between 1979-80 but before they were repainted for the Falklands War into more muted colours.