De Havilland Sea Vixen

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DH.110 Sea Vixen
Duxford Air Festival 2017 - sv3 (34932299646).jpg
The last airworthy Sea Vixen at RNAS Yeovilton, 2014
Role Carrier-based fighter
National originUnited Kingdom
Manufacturer de Havilland
First flight26 September 1951 [1]
IntroductionJuly 1959
Retired1972
Primary user Royal Navy
Number built151 (including two DH110 prototypes and one Sea Vixen prototype)

The de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen is a British twin-engine, twin boom-tailed, two-seat, carrier-based fleet air-defence fighter flown by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm from the 1950s to the early 1970s. The Sea Vixen was designed by the de Havilland Aircraft Company during the late 1940s at its Hatfield aircraft factory in Hertfordshire, developed from the company's earlier first generation jet fighters. [lower-alpha 1] It was later called the Hawker Siddeley Sea Vixen after de Havilland was absorbed by the Hawker Siddeley Corporation in 1960.

Contents

The Sea Vixen had the distinction of being the first British two-seat combat aircraft to achieve supersonic speed, albeit not in level flight. Operating from British aircraft carriers, it was used in combat over Tanganyika and over Yemen during the Aden Emergency. In 1972, the Sea Vixen was phased out in favour of the American-made McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 interceptor. There have been no flying Sea Vixens since 2017.

Development

Origins

In 1946, the de Havilland Aircraft Company conducted discussions with the British Admiralty on its requirements for a future jet-powered all-weather, radar-equipped fighter. [1] From these talks, it became clear that the aircraft would need a crew of two to handle its radar and navigation equipment, as well as to fly the fighter, and that two engines were required for a safety factor over the ocean, and that swept wings were desirable. The fighter would also have a moderate wing loading for manoeuvrability at altitude and acceptable takeoff and landing performance from aircraft carriers. Highly effective wing flaps would be needed for landing and taking off. [1]

de Havilland decided to pursue development of a design to meet the requirements of the British Royal Navy. The proposed aircraft, which was designated as the DH.110 by de Havilland, was a twin-engined all-weather fighter. [1]

The DH.110 prototype WG236, in 1952 De Havilland DH.110 WG236 in flight c1952.jpg
The DH.110 prototype WG236, in 1952

The design of the DH 110 used the twin-boom-tail design layout of the de Havilland Vampire and de Havilland Venom. It had an all-metal structure, 45-degree swept wings, and an armament of four 30 mm ADEN cannons. [1] The DH 110 was to be powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engines, each capable of generating 7,500 lbf (33 kN) of thrust, which would allow the aircraft to become supersonic in a shallow dive. [1] The DH 110 had the distinction of being the first British two-seat combat plane to achieve supersonic speed. [2] [3]

In January 1947, specifications N.40/46 and F.44/46 were issued by the British Air Ministry for similar night fighters to equip the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and Royal Air Force (RAF). de Havilland submitted its proposal for the DH 110 to both services. [1] As initially submitted the RAF version had Metrovick F.9 engines, although these would soon be known as the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire when Metrovick sold its engine division.

In response, nine DH 110 prototypes were ordered for the RAF (together with four of the competing Gloster Javelin) and four prototypes for the Fleet Air Arm. [4] [5]

By early 1949 the DH.110 design was expected to be adaptable to fulfil four requirements: F4/48, F5/49 (a long range RAF fighter), N.40/46 (naval night fighter) and N.8/49 (naval strike aircraft). To this end the prototypes required would be three for F.4/48, four for common RAF and RN development, and two each for the other three roles and by July the authorities were ready to order the 13 prototypes [6]

In 1949, however, the Royal Navy decided to procure the de Havilland Sea Venom which, as a development of an existing aircraft, was cheaper, and would be available sooner to meet its immediate needs for a jet-powered night fighter to replace its fleet of piston-engined de Havilland Sea Hornets and Vought F4U Corsairs. The RAF decided to cut its order to two prototypes. [1] Despite this setback, de Havilland elected to continue work on the DH 110 while trying to recapture official interest in the type. [1] [7]

On 26 September 1951, an initial prototype was completed and conducted its maiden flight from the Hatfield Aerodrome, flown by the test pilot John Cunningham. [5] [8] Early flight tests of the prototype demonstrated that the aircraft's performance exceeded expectations. By the following year, the prototype was regularly flying in excess of the speed of sound. [1]

However, tragedy struck while the first prototype DH 110 (serial number WG236) was demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow on 6 September 1952. [9] Following a demonstration of its ability to break the sound barrier during a low level flight, the aircraft disintegrated and debris landed in the midst of spectators killing 31 people, including the crew of two, the test pilot John Derry and his flight-test observer, Tony Richards. [9] [10]

Subsequent investigation of the accident traced the failure to faulty design of the wing leading edge section ahead of the main spar. The design had been satisfactory for the earlier Vampire and Venom but not for the higher stresses induced by the rolling pull-out manoeuvre at 650 mph flown by the DH110 prototype at Farnborough. The leading edge skin, without the extra reinforcing structure that would be added later, buckled, which resulted in the outer portions of the swept-back wings being torn off (similar display routines had been flown on preceding days by the other prototype DH110 which had an aerodynamic fence providing external stiffening for the skin located precisely over the area where the buckling originated. [11] ). The subsequent shift in the DH 110's centre of pressure caused the aircraft to pitch up, the cockpit and tail sections breaking away and the engines being torn from the airframe by the g loading. [12] One of the engines hit an area crowded with spectators at the end of the runway, causing the majority of the deaths. Sixty other spectators were injured by debris from the cockpit landing close to the main spectator enclosures alongside the runway. This incident led to a restructuring of safety regulations for air shows in the UK, and no member of the public died as a result of a British airshow flight for more than 62 years, until the crash of a Hawker Hunter warbird killed 11 people during the Shoreham Air Show on 22 August 2015. [9]

Redesign and navalisation

In response to the loss of the first prototype de Havilland introduced modifications to the design which were implemented on the remaining second prototype. These changes included the adoption of an all-moving tailplane, and cambered leading edge extensions. The modified prototype did not return to flight until July 1954. [13] As a result of these changes the DH 110 was no longer able to exceed the speed of sound, only reaching Mach 0.95 in a steep dive where its controls were immovable until passing 10,000 feet (3,000 m). [14] By this time, the Royal Air Force announced the abandonment of its interest in the DH 110, after deciding to buy the Gloster Javelin instead; [15] However, the Fleet Air Arm had decided that it would adopt the aircraft as a replacement for its interim fleet of Sea Venoms. [16] In February 1955, an order was placed for 110 navalised aircraft, which received the name Sea Vixen. [17]

The third semi-navalised prototype demonstrating at the 1955 Farnborough Air Show DH.110 20X XF828 FAR 10.09.55 edited-3.jpg
The third semi-navalised prototype demonstrating at the 1955 Farnborough Air Show

In addition to tailoring the aircraft for carrier-based operation by the Royal Navy, de Havilland implemented major changes to the Sea Vixen during its redesign. [1] Throughout the 1950s, when the DH 110 design was still being evolved, major advances had occurred in subsystems such as weaponry, fire-control system, radar equipment, and cockpit instrumentation. The concept of an aircraft being an integrated weapons system had proliferated, where sensors such as the radar would be more directly tied into navigation and weapons systems. [1] de Havilland included this concept in the design of the Sea Vixen. [1] According to aviation author David Hobbs, it was the first British fighter aircraft to be designed in this manner. [18]

In June 1955, a semi-navalised prototype, XF828, was completed for the purpose of conducting carrier flight deck suitability trials. [17] For this purpose, XF828 featured several changes, including the alteration of the profile of the wing leading edges and the strengthening of the wings, as well as underwing fixture points for catapult launches, and a tailhook for arrested landings; however, the prototype lacked a wing folding mechanism, or racks for armaments. [17] On 20 June 1955, this aircraft made its first flight from de Havilland's facility at Christchurch Airfield in Dorset. The following year, XF828 performed its first arrested deck landing on the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. [19]

In April 1956, the finalised production drawings were formally issued. [17] The fully navalised production Sea Vixen featured a number of improvements over earlier development models. These included the addition of a powered folding wing system, reinforcement of the landing gear to withstand the additional stresses of carrier landings, a steerable nose wheel, a revised tail unit, and the redesigning of the fuselage to carry armament. [3] [17] On 20 March 1957, the first true Sea Vixen, designated as the Sea Vixen FAW.20 (fighter all-weather, later redesignated FAW.1), performed its first flight. This aircraft was promptly used for clearance trials, in particular for addressing handling problems; the second production aircraft was used for engineering trials and the third aircraft for conducting radar trials. [20] On 2 July 1959, the first Sea Vixen-equipped squadron was formed. [21]

Production Sea Vixens were manufactured at first by de Havilland at its former World War II Airspeed Ltd. "shadow factory" at Christchurch near Bournemouth, starting in March 1957. [1] In August 1962, all production was moved to another de Havilland factory located at Hawarden, near Chester.

Further development

Two Sea Vixen FAW.1 (XJ571 & XN694) of 899 Sqn, one refuelling the other at a 1960s Farnborough Air Show Sea vixens refuelling arp.jpg
Two Sea Vixen FAW.1 (XJ571 & XN694) of 899 Sqn, one refuelling the other at a 1960s Farnborough Air Show
Sea Vixen FAW.2 of 890 NAS Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton in 1971 DH.110 S.Vixen FAW.2 XJ609 890 Sq YVTN 17.07.71 edited-2.jpg
Sea Vixen FAW.2 of 890 NAS Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton in 1971

Beyond the initial FAW.1 model, de Havilland proceeded with the development of an improved variant, which was subsequently designated as the Sea Vixen FAW.2. This served as the successor to the FAW.1 and included many improvements. As well as Firestreak missiles, it could carry the Red Top air-to-air missile, four SNEB rocket pods, and the AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-ground missile.

Its enlarged tail boom allowed for additional fuel tanks in the "pinion" extensions above and in front of the wing leading edge, there was an improved escape system and additional room for more electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment. [3] However, the changes in aerodynamics meant that the 1,000 lb bomb could no longer be carried. Visually the FAW.1 and FAW.2 could be distinguished by the tail booms which extended forward over the wing leading edges of the FAW.2.

In 1962, the Sea Vixen FAW.2 conducted its maiden flight; the type entered service with frontline squadrons in 1964. Overall, a total of 29 FAW.2s were newly built along with a further 67 FAW.1s that were rebuilt and upgraded to FAW.2 standard. In 1966, the original FAW.1 begun to be phased out. In 1972, the career of the Sea Vixen FAW.2 came to an end.

The Sea Vixen FAW2 prototype with four Red Top missiles. Sea Vixen FAW2.jpg
The Sea Vixen FAW2 prototype with four Red Top missiles.
A declassified 1965 UK MoD drawing that shows the Red Top's firing zone from a Lightning at Mach 1.5 at 47,000 feet altitude against a Tu-22 Blinder at the same speed and altitude. The firing zone from a Sea Vixen FAW2 would have been smaller due to the Sea Vixen FAW2's slower speed. Courtesy of secretprojects.co.uk member GUNDAM123dx. Red Top firing zone.png
A declassified 1965 UK MoD drawing that shows the Red Top's firing zone from a Lightning at Mach 1.5 at 47,000 feet altitude against a Tu-22 Blinder at the same speed and altitude. The firing zone from a Sea Vixen FAW2 would have been smaller due to the Sea Vixen FAW2's slower speed. Courtesy of secretprojects.co.uk member GUNDAM123dx.

The Sea Vixen FAW2 could be armed with up to four Hawker Siddeley Red Top infrared-homing missiles. The Red Top could home on to heat sources generated by kinetic heating of a fast-approaching supersonic target such as the Tupolev Tu-22 bomber. The Red Top system was integrated into the AI 18R (R for Red Top) radar. From 1969 the Sea Vixen FAW2 practiced intercepts of a supersonic target against the Concorde SST in flight tests over the Irish Sea. [22]

The Admiralty had planned to replace the Sea Vixen with the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1. The aircraft carriers HMS Ark Royal and Eagle were both planned to be refitted to properly carry and fly the new fighters. Due to defence cuts, and following the decommissioning of HMS Eagle, only HMS Ark Royal underwent the conversion work to fly the new Phantom FG.1.

A small number of Sea Vixens subsequently saw service as drones, in which capacity they were redesignated as the Sea Vixen D.3. Only four aircraft were converted to the D.3 standard, [23] though three more were dispatched to Farnborough to undergo conversion, but ultimately went unconverted. [23] The last remaining airworthy Sea Vixen (XP924) was a D3 conversion. [23] A number of other Sea Vixens became target tugs and were redesignated as the Sea Vixen TT.2.

Design

899 Sqn Sea Vixen FAW.2 on HMS Eagle, 1970 07 SeaVixen launchingFromHMS Eagle Jan1970.jpg
899 Sqn Sea Vixen FAW.2 on HMS Eagle, 1970

The de Havilland Sea Vixen was a jet-powered fleet defence fighter, equipped with a modern radar and air-to-air missiles for its primary role. When it entered service, it was the first British aircraft to be solely armed with missiles, rockets and bombs; this made it the first fighter aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm with no gun armament. [16] [24] The Sea Vixen FAW.1 was armed with four de Havilland Firestreak air-to-air missiles, while the Sea Vixen FAW.2 could also carry the later, more capable Red Top missile. [16] The original DH.110 design offered to the RAF was armed with four cannon before soon being replaced with an all-missile armament. [17] [24] The Red Top homing head was pointed in the direction of the target by slaving it to the AI18 radar, which was operated by the observer. [24]

In addition to its principal fleet-defence role, the Sea Vixen was also used in the ground-attack role [16] for which it could be armed with two Microcell unguided two-inch (51 mm) rocket packs, Bullpup air-to-ground missiles, and four 500 pounds (230 kg) or two 1,000 pounds (450 kg) bombs. [17] [25] The Sea Vixen was equipped with a refuelling probe for aerial refuelling from tanker aircraft to extend its range. [3] It could also be equipped as a tanker for refueling other aircraft. [26] The Sea Vixen FAW.1 was cleared to carry the Red Beard free-fall nuclear bomb in the event of an "extreme operational emergency". [27]

The Sea Vixen was powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Avon 208 turbojet engines and could reach a maximum speed of 690 mph (1,110 km/h) and a range of up to 600 mi (970 km). [17] [24] It had a twin-boom tail configuration, as used on the earlier de Havilland Sea Vampire and Sea Venom fighter aircraft. [16] The internal volume of the tail boom was used for both fuel and avionics, and was considerably enlarged for this purpose on the improved Sea Vixen FAW.2. [3] The twin-boom tail reduced the length and height of the aircraft, which reduced the stowage area and head-room required onboard aircraft carriers; it also minimised asymmetry during single engine flying, reduced the length of the jet pipes and improved maintenance access. [1]

Sea Vixen on the U.S. Navy's USS Forrestal in 1962, clearly showing the asymmetric cockpit layout. A Palouste air starter pod is in front. Sea Vixen of 892 NAS on USS Forrestal (CVA-59) c1962.jpg
Sea Vixen on the U.S. Navy's USS Forrestal in 1962, clearly showing the asymmetric cockpit layout. A Palouste air starter pod is in front.

The fuselage comprises several sections, the principal being the one-piece central and stub-wing assembly section. [25] The front fuselage, composed of the pressurised cabin, the airbrake below the pressure flooring and the radar compartment, and its hinged radome are mounted upon four attachments on the forward face of the front spar. Various electrical compartments are located aft of the front spar, above the wing, which are accessible through hatches. [25] The engines are installed within the main fuselage aft of the main box; they could be removed from the fuselage for servicing via detachable panels on the upper fuselage surface. [28] Sections of the fuselage skin were chemically milled while other parts were machine milled. The powered folding wing made use of a pair of wing-fold joints which involved a total of six main attachment points. [29]

The Sea Vixen had a crew of two, a pilot and a radar operator. The pilot's canopy was offset to the left-hand side of the fuselage, while the radar operator sat to the right completely within the fuselage, the latter gaining access to his position through a flush-fitting top hatch, nicknamed the "Coal Hole". [17] [30] [Note 1] The observer's position was darkened and located deeper down into the fuselage, improving the visibility of the radar imagery. [3] [31] Both positions were fitted with fully automated height adjustable Martin-Baker Mk.4 ejector seats, which were capable of being deployed under a range of conditions and circumstances, including the aircraft being submerged in water. [3] [25] Each crew member had a single centralised service connector comprising circuits that served ventilated g-suits as well as controls for humidity and temperature for crew comfort. [25] The windscreen of the pilots canopy had a 'knife edge' positioned in center for rain and weather shedding. [32] [33]

The flying controls of the Sea Vixen were relatively complex with a fully powered tailplane, ailerons, and rudder; these controls remained usable even in the absence of electrical power, such as in the event of a double engine failure. [29] Actuation of the powered flight control surfaces was provided by a pair of independent hydraulic systems and typically featured variable gearing of control movements over differing speeds. An intricate three-section flap arrangement was employed, partially due to the nature of the wing's geometry. [29] The navigation, flight instrumentation and communications equipment included ground and air position indicators, a reference gyro, an autopilot capable of maintaining altitude and speed as well as yaw and pitch damping, tactical air navigation system (TACAN), and ultra high frequency (UHF) radio system. [25]

Operational history

A Sea Vixen landing on HMS Eagle in 1970 13 Sea Vixen landing on Eagle Mediterranean Jan1970.jpg
A Sea Vixen landing on HMS Eagle in 1970

The aircraft did not take part in any true wars during its career with the Fleet Air Arm though it took part in many operations. In 1961, President Abdul Karim Kassem of Iraq threatened to annex the neighbouring oil-rich state of Kuwait. In response to Kuwait's appeal for external help, the United Kingdom dispatched a number of ships to the region, including two fleet carriers. Sea Vixens aboard the fleet carriers flew patrols in the region, and Kassem's aggressive actions wilted in the face of the strong naval presence, thus averting a war over Kuwait.

In January 1964, trouble flared in the East African state of Tanganyika after the 1st and 2nd Tanganyika Rifles mutinied against the British officers and NCOs who, despite Tanganyika being independent, still commanded the regiment. The mutineers also seized the British High Commissioner and the airport at the capital Dar es Salaam. The UK responded by sending the light fleet carrier HMS Centaur, accompanied by 45 Commando, Royal Marines. The Sea Vixens, flying off Centaur, performed a number of duties including the providing of cover for the Royal Marines who were landed in Tanganyika by helicopters. The operation "to restore Tanganyika to stability" ended in success. That same year, Sea Vixens of HMS Centaur saw service once again in the Persian Gulf, including the launch of air strikes against rebel forces, this time supporting British forces fighting against locals disgruntled by the loss of tolls in the Radfan. Later in 1964, HMS Centaur's 892 Squadron Sea Vixens stationed off Indonesia, helped to prevent an escalation of President Sukarno's Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. [34]

Sea Vixen of 893 NAS operating alongside an A-4 Skyhawk of VA-55 in 1964 Sea Vixen of 893 NAS and VA-55 A-4E in flight 1964.jpg
Sea Vixen of 893 NAS operating alongside an A-4 Skyhawk of VA-55 in 1964

Sea Vixens saw further service during the 1960s, performing duties on Beira Patrol, a Royal Navy operation designed to prevent oil reaching landlocked Rhodesia via the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique. The Sea Vixen also saw service in the Far East. In 1967, once again in the Persian Gulf, Sea Vixens helped cover the withdrawal from Aden. There were a number of Royal Navy warships involved, including the carriers HMS Albion, HMS Bulwark and HMS Eagle (carrying the Sea Vixens) and the LPD (Landing Platform Dock) HMS Fearless.

The Sea Vixen's tactics against faster supersonic fighters such as the BAC Lightning and the Dassault Mirage III was to keep turning until its opponents went low on fuel and then catch them with the Red Top when they tried to break away using afterburner. [35]

A Sea Vixen maneuvering against a MiG-21 shown in the Tactical Manual Sea Vixen tactics.png
A Sea Vixen maneuvering against a MiG-21 shown in the Tactical Manual

The Sea Vixen also flew in an aerobatic role, performing in two Royal Navy display teams: Simon's Sircus and Fred's Five.

Of the 145 Sea Vixens constructed, 55 were lost in accidents. Two DH.110 development prototypes were also lost. [36] The 55 Sea Vixens lost represented a loss rate of almost 38%. 30 (54%) of these were fatal incidents, 21 of which involved the death of both pilot and observer. [37]

A small number of Sea Vixens were sent to FR Aviation at Tarrant Rushton airfield for conversion to D.3 drone standard, with some undergoing testing at RAF Llanbedr before the drone programme was abandoned. [38] [39] Among them was XP924, now G-CVIX, the only Sea Vixen to remain in flying condition, which has now been returned to 899 NAS colours. Formerly owned and operated by De Havilland Aviation, G-CVIX could be viewed at their hangar at Bournemouth Airport in Dorset and at air shows around the UK. The Air Accident Investigation Branch published an enquiry into damage suffered by G-CVIX on landing at Bournemouth on 5 April 2012. [40] On 16 September 2014, G-CVIX was transferred to Naval Aviation Ltd., a subsidiary of Fly Navy Heritage Trust and will be based at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. [41]

Operators

Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Sea Vixen FAW.1 units
Squadron/FlightFromFirst on carrierToCodesComment
700 Sqn Y Flight [42] November 1958 [43] Never2 July 1959 ?Intensive Flying Trials Unit (IFTU) based at RNAS Yeovilton. [43] Reformed as 892 Sqn. [44]
892 Sqn [42] 2 July 19593 March 1960 [44]
Ark Royal
1965208–219Flew from: Ark Royal, Victorious, Hermes and Centaur (late 1963 to mid-1965, the fourth and last commission of the ship)
890 Sqn [42] 1 February 1960July 1960
Hermes
1966 [45] 240–254Flew from: Hermes and Ark Royal. Disbanded 1966, reformed September 1967 initially with four FAW.1, and converting to FAW.2. [45]
893 Sqn [42] 9 September 1960 [44] Ark Royal1964455–468Flew from: Victorious, with short periods on: Ark Royal and Centaur.
899 Sqn [42] 1 February 1961 [44]  ?1965485–489Sea Vixen HQ Sqn Yeovilton, with short periods on: Eagle. 899 was the first squadron to evaluate and operate Sea Vixen FAW2 aircraft
766B Training Sqn [42] October 19591964 Eagle post refit trials1965? [46] 710–7221962 renamed Naval Air Fighter School; provided a/c and crews for "Fred's Five" aerobatic team, all of whom were instructors on 766 squadron.
Sea Vixen FAW.2 units
Squadron/ FlightFromFirst on carrierToCodesComment
13 JSTU [47] April 1964NeverFebruary 1966 [47] 13 Joint Service Trials Unit (13 JSTU). Red Top trials at Hatfield and A&AEE Boscombe Down.
899 Sqn [46] December 1963December 1964
Eagle
February 1972120–127
130–137
Flew from: Eagle.
Last operational carrier embarked Sea Vixen squadron
766 Sqn [46] 7 July 1965 [45] Never?10 February 1970? [Note 2] [Note 3] 700–707
710–717
720–727
Naval Air Fighter School, RNAS Yeovilton
893 Sqn [46] 4 November 1965 [45] 19 April 1966
Victorious
July 1970 [48] 240–247
250–257
Flew from: Victorious, RNAS Yeovilton, RAF Akrotiri, then Hermes.
892 Sqn [46] 1963 [48] HermesOctober 1968301–315Flew from Hermes. 1968 Simon's Sircus aerobatic team from this squadron performed at the 1968 Farnborough Air Show.
890 Sqn [46] September 1967 [45] Never6 August 1971 [48] 750–755 [Note 4] [Note 5] Trials and operations unit at Yeovilton with mix of FAW.1 and FAW.2.
For a short period 1964-5 Ark Royal.
FRU [48] 6 August 1971?Never1 December 1972 [46] 750–755 [46] [49] Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU). When 890 Sqn disbanded some aircraft passed to Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU), Yeovilton. FRU became Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit (FRADU) on 1 December 1972.
FRADU [48] 1 December 1972 [46] NeverJanuary 1974 [Note 6] 750–755 [46] [49] Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit (FRADU). Retired Sea Vixen on grounds of cost. [46] January 1974. [48]

Surviving aircraft

De Havilland Sea Vixen in sponsored livery at a 2004 airshow. It has since been returned to Royal Navy livery. Sea.vixen.flying.arp.jpg
De Havilland Sea Vixen in sponsored livery at a 2004 airshow. It has since been returned to Royal Navy livery.
Sea Vixen on display at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum Xj565.jpg
Sea Vixen on display at the de Havilland Aircraft Museum

Aircraft formerly on public display:

The following complete airframes are on public display:

Australia

United Kingdom

Specifications (Sea Vixen FAW.2)

De Havilland Sea Vixen FAW2 3-view line drawing.svg

Data fromThe Great Book of Fighters [72]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics
GEC AI.18 Air Interception radar

See also

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Preserved Sea Vixen taking off and performing an aerial display at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2015
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Compilation of period Sea Vixen carrier operations
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Footage of the 1952 Farnborough air show accident with accompanying eye witness account
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg rare flat display practice at RNAS Yeovilton

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

  1. The Sea Vixen was the final and largest development of the de Havilland Vampire and de Havilland Venom family

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Royal Air Force Brawdy, or more simply RAF Brawdy, is a former Royal Air Force satellite station located 6.3 miles (10.1 km) east of St Davids, Pembrokeshire and 9.8 miles (15.8 km) south west of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was operational between 1944 and 1992; it was used by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy (1946–1971), before the site was turned over to the British Army and renamed Cawdor Barracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleet Air Arm Museum</span> Museum devoted to the history of British naval aviation.

The Fleet Air Arm Museum is devoted to the history of British naval aviation. It has an extensive collection of military and civilian aircraft, aero engines, models of aircraft and Royal Navy ships, and paintings and drawings related to naval aviation. It is located on RNAS Yeovilton airfield, and the museum has viewing areas where visitors can watch military aircraft take off and land. At the entrance to the museum are anchors from HMS Ark Royal and HMS Eagle, fleet carriers which served the Royal Navy until the 1970s. It is located 7 miles (11 km) north of Yeovil, and 40 miles (64 km) south of Bristol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">892 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

892 Naval Air Squadron was a carrier-based fighter squadron of the British Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was formed in 1943, flying Grumman Martlets, and was the only operational Fleet Air Arm squadron to fly the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1.

801 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) was a Fleet Air Arm squadron of the Royal Navy formed in 1933 which fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Falklands War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">736 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

736 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was most recently recommissioned at HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose in June 2013 to fly the BAE Systems Hawk, mainly in the maritime aggressor role, following the disbandment of the Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit (FRADU) and operated up until March 2022. It initially formed as the School of Air Combat in May 1943 at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton. In September 1943 it moved to HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, where it became the Fighter Combat School and it created an independent 'B' Flight for fighter affiliation work between March and September 1945. 736 Naval Air Squadron moved to HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose in February 1950 as the Naval Air Fighter School in the 52nd Training Air Group, but disbanded in August 1952. Immediately the following day, the squadron reformed at HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose out of 702 Naval Air Squadron as an Advanced Jet Flying School and in November 1953 it moved to HMS Fulmar, RNAS Lossiemouth. 736 Naval Air Squadron disbanded there in March 1965, but what was left became 764 Naval Air Squadron ‘B’ Flight. The squadron reformed the same day at Lossiemouth from 809 Naval Air Squadron as a Jet Strike Training Squadron. 1966. In March 1967, its aircraft were part of the group that bombed and set on fire the supertanker SS Torrey Canyon aground and leaking crude oil on Seven Sisters rocks off Cornwall. The squadron disbanded in February 1972.

899 Naval Air Squadron was a squadron of the Fleet Air Arm of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">738 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

738 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA), which last disbanded during May 1970 at HMS Goldcrest, RNAS Brawdy. It initially formed as a Pilot Training Squadron formed at HMS Asbury, RNAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, in February 1943. The squadron moved to RNAS Lewiston, Maine, United States, at the end of July 1943 and also providing advanced carrier training to American-trained Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) pilots and it later provided complete Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance (TBR) aircrew for Grumman Avenger FAA squadrons. The squadron moved to RNAS Brunswick, Maine, in February 1945 and disbanded there in July 1945. 738 Naval Air Squadron was next active as part of the Naval Air Fighter School, between May 1950 and March 1954, providing newly qualified FAA pilots the operational techniques of air-to-air and air-to-ground firing. It had formed at HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall, England, moving to HMS Fulmar, RNAS Lossiemouth in 1953. It reformed in April 1954 at HMS Fulmar and now the squadron’s role was to instruct United States trained pilots on the British method and was also responsible for converting the FAA piston-engined pilots onto jet aircraft. It became an Advanced Flying Training Squadron in June 1962 providing training for low-level navigation, ground attack and air-to-air weapons training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">759 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

759 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was created on November 1, 1939, and was disbanded on December 24, 1969. It was initially intended as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron but became a Fighter School and Pool Squadron in 1939, at RNAS Eastleigh. It operated out of RNAS Yeovilton from 1940 to 1946, as part of the Naval Air Fighter School. In 1943 a detachment operated out of RNAS Angle, working with 794 NAS and known as the Naval Air Firing Unit. It was again the Naval Air Fighter School upon reformation in 1951 and disbandment in 1954, firstly at RNAS Culdrose and then moving to RNAS Lossiemouth, in 1953. The squadron reformed again, this time at RNAS Brawdy in 1963, as the Naval Advanced Flying Training School, before finally disbanding in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">766 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

766 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was to have initially formed in 1939 at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, as a Seaplane School, however, it formed at HMS Landrail, RNAS Machrihannish, as a Night ALT Course, in 1942. It moved to HMS Nightjar, RNAS Inskip, in 1943, to become part of No. 1 Naval Operational Training Unit. By 1944, it was operating over 30 Swordfish aircraft, but, during the year, also acquired Firefly aircraft from 1772 NAS, and Sea Hurricane aircraft from 760 NAS. It moved to HMS Merganser, RNAS Rattray, early in 1946, but later that year, moved to HMS Fulmar, RNAS Lossiemouth, where it received Seafire aircraft, along with being Part 1 of the Operational Flying School. By late 1951, Sea Fury trainer aircraft were also added to its varied list of types operated. In 1953, the squadron moved to HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose, where it disbanded in 1954.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">767 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

767 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially formed as a Deck Landing Training Squadron in 1939, when 811 Naval Air Squadron was renumbered 767 Naval Air Squadron, at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle. A detachment went to Hyeres de la Palyvestre in the south of France, enabling training in fairer conditions. While here, the squadron took on an operational mission, with a bombing attack on the Italian port of Genoa. With the fall of France the squadron evacuated to French Algeria, where it split. Part went to Malta, forming 830 Naval Air Squadron, the other part to HMS Ark Royal, with personnel returning to the UK via Gibraltar. The squadron regrouped at HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, and moved to the Deck Landing School at HMS Peewit at RNAS East Haven in 1943.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">777 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

777 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, which formed as a Fleet Requirements Unit in West Africa during the Second World War. Throughout most of 1943, the squadron was responsible for the air defence of Sierra Leone. It disbanded at HMS Spurwing, RNAS Hastings, Sierra Leone, during December 1944. The squadron reformed in May 1945, from 'B' Flight of 778 Naval Air Squadron, as a Carrier Trials Unit operating aboard HMS Pretoria Castle, and using shore bases at HMS Siskin, RNAS Gosport, and HMS Peregrine, RNAS Ford in England, and HMS Wagtail, RNAS Ayr, in Scotland. 777 Naval Air Squadron number was assigned to the aircraft collection at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in April 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">787 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

787 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded in January 1956. It formed in March 1941, at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, out of 804 Naval Air Squadron as a Fleet Fighter Development Unit. Almost every type of fighter was received by the squadron for testing and evaluation for naval use. A move to RAF Duxford in June 1941 saw it become the Naval Air Fighting Development Unit, attached to the Royal Air Force's Air Fighting Development Unit. The squadron undertook rocket projectile test, continuous development of fighter tactics and even helping Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons in evading fighter attack. Post Second World War it continued its trials task and also undertook Rebecca radar trials and ASH, US-built air-to-surface-vessel radar trials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleet Requirements Unit</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Unit

The Airwork Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU) was a civilian-operated unit of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm managed by Airwork Limited. It was established on the 1 September 1952, at Hurn Airport, operating for 20 years before merging with another unit to become the Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Training Unit (FRADTU), on the 1 December 1972.

References

Notes

  1. "Observer" is the FAA term for the navigator/radar operator – the U.S. Navy's equivalent is the radar intercept officer (RIO).
  2. Fiddler 1985, Table 4 says that 766 Sqn disbanded 10 February 1970. [46]
  3. [44] Birtles 1986, p. 107 says that 766 Sqn disbanded 10 December 1970. It is not known which date for 766 Sqn disbanding is correct.
  4. Fiddler 1985, Table 4 says 750–755 initially, with 001-007 and 010-014 during a brief period on Ark Royal in 1964–65, and 701–706 from 1971. [46]
  5. Birtles 1986, p. 107 says that 890 Sqn was disbanded in 1966 and reformed in 1967. Further research is required here. [48]
  6. [50]

Citations

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Bibliography