Devastating De Havillands

The picture of XA129 looks like it was taken outside the flight test hangar at Hatfield, probably on a families day judging by the amount of people there, in fact I may even be in the picture somewhere, as I was most likely there that day.

The photo of XJ481 is indeed taken at Ocean Village, Southampton, before she was moved to RNAY Fleetlands in time for the Yard’s 50th Anniversary in 1990. When it was at Fleetlands four of us spent several months repainting her BY HAND (!!) in preparation for the 1994 Open Day. Painting the Forth Bridge comes to mind, but I look back on those long, late evenings covered in Extra Dark Sea Grey paint with fond memories, especially as one very good friend who helped out is no longer with us (Melvyn – you’ll remember Mike Groth). Those of you who may have been there on the Open Day will probably have seen us doing wing fold demonstrations behind J Shop (Flight Test hangar), and will testify to how good she looked back then, despite having been kept outdoors for many years by that stage.

Sadly the “Fleetlands Museum” curator wasn’t interested in doing any of the work on her (though very happy to take all the credit!), and he put so many noses out of joint in the upper eschelons of management that she was unceremonially booted out of B Shop before we could finish the job. Thereafter the good ole British weather, and the fact that we received no official help or materials, put pay to any hope of us doing any more work. Thankfully the aircraft’s owners, Fleet Air Arm Museum, agreed to take her back and she is safely tucked up inside Cobham Hall here at Yeovilton.

Even more for you.

Glyn

1 Sea Vixen
2 Sea Vampire T22 XA129
3 Sea Venom
4 Sea Vixen FAW1 XN647 of 899 squadron coded VL/490
5 Mosquito B2 DD723
6 Vampire FB5 VZ831 at Farnboro?

The picture of XJ481 was taken whilst it was at Southampton Docks as part of the Ocean Village complex development, this was on the site of the former Ocean liner terminal as previously posted. I have a similar shot but taken after it was entombed in wire fencing – all around it was building site !
It moved from there to Fleetlands (Gosport) with the museum before moving again to Yeovilton.

Sea Vixen XJ481 was at Gosport for a fair while with the defunct museum.

One or two more De Havilland military jets for you. This time all vampire T11s, which I suspect were taken in the very early 60s. Apart from that I am not sure by who, when or where. Hoping you will enjoy them. The quality of some is not good due to being scanned from prints.

Glyn

1 XE863 coded 20
2 WZ507 coded C and looking very forlorn
3 WZ507 coded 63 in better days
4 XH358
5 XK633 coded VA
6 XD379 coded 57

#2 – WZ507/C is an ex CATCS Shawbury machine and this was taken at Carlisle. I have a shot of it in exactly the same position, but looking in better condition that this in 1972, so this must be later.

#5 XK633 coded VA is a CFS machine, but it doesn’t look like Little Rissington.

Sea Vixen FAW.1 XJ481 is the former A&AEE black/white machine and this was probably taken at Lee-on-Solent before it was moved up to Yeovilton where it is now.

The buildings are wrong for Lee

Wasn’t Fred sitting in the back seat getting hugged and kissed ? ? ? ?

One or two more De Havilland military jets for you. This time all vampire T11s, which I suspect were taken in the very early 60s. Apart from that I am not sure by who, when or where. Hoping you will enjoy them. The quality of some is not good due to being scanned from prints.

Glyn

1 XE863 coded 20
2 WZ507 coded C and looking very forlorn
3 WZ507 coded 63 in better days
4 XH358
5 XK633 coded VA
6 XD379 coded 57

Albert,

I think if you look carefully, you will see that what you have taken as the boom extension, is in fact a drop tank. They are not inline with the boom. I still say they are FAW1s.

Glyn

Glyn,

Having studied this more carefully, you could be right!

Albert,

I think if you look carefully, you will see that what you have taken as the boom extension, is in fact a drop tank. They are not inline with the boom. I still say they are FAW1s.

Glyn

The Sea Vixen ‘FAW.1’ 6-ship formation are in fact FAW.2s (booms extend over front of wing leading edge), which makes this 892 Squadron “Simon’s Sircus” aerobatic team in 1968. There was an aerobatic team of Sea Vixen FAW.1s in 1962 called “Fred’s Five” (anyone know who ‘Fred’ was?)

The picture of the Sea Vixen XJ481 in the first batch I think might be at Ocean Village in Southampton. This is an area of the docks close to the Solent Sky/Southampton Hall of Aviation museum.

Depending on the date but the slide that I have is 1988.

Another six “V” aircraft for you.

1 Vampire T11 XD444 coded 64
2 Sea Venom coded BY/015
3 Sea Vixen FAW1 6 ship formation
4 Vampire T35A A79-822
5 Sea Vixen FAW2 XP921 coded 706
6 Sea Vampire T22 XA155

Glyn

You have a fantastic collection of photos Glyn. Many thanks for sharing them.

Albert,

Thanks for the info.

Glyn

Sea Vixen FAW.1 XJ481 is the former A&AEE black/white machine and this was probably taken at Lee-on-Solent before it was moved up to Yeovilton where it is now. Vampire VT812 is the RAF Museum’s machine and this was taken at Abingdon in June 1968 during the RAF’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Strange colour scheme on the first one!

Got any of the Yeovilton Station Flight (Fleet requirements?) Sea Venoms?? Particularly XG730; would be around 1969-71 I think.

Bruce