DH Firestreak

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for all the info on the Firestreak, much appreciated.

Robert,

I am moving house on the 28th of this month. Once I have settled in I would like to come and see your Firestreak and take a few photos if that’s ok.

I’ll drop you a PM in a couple of weeks to arrange a time to visit.

Alex

Hello Alex,
I have a Firestreak in a hut in my garden and a wheeled transporter. I live in near Edinburgh if you want a look.

More from Jane’s 58/59
One solid-propellant sustainer, no booster
Infra-red passive homimg unit in node, behind 8 optically-flat glass panels. Controls actuated pneumatically through rods carried in external fairings on body.
High explosive warhead
Entire weapon manufactured by DH Propellers, except propulsion and explosive units, produced by Government facilities.

From Jane’s:
Cruising speed above Mach 2
Range 0.75 to 5 miles (1 to 2.8 km)
Length overall 10 ft 5.5 in (3.19 m)
Body diameter 8 3/4 in (22.5 cm)
Wing span 2 ft 5.5 in (0.75 m)

I’ll have a look in the de Havilland Gazette from the period; there is probably an article on it. Bear with me.

Bruce

Hi Tony,

I’ve got some photos of the missle hanging on a Javelin.

I believe there are 1-2 at East Fortune but due to the arrival of Concorde a lot of the smaller stuff has been placed in storage.

I’m looking for some details on its development and its basic performance values. Also a brief specification of the missle itself, such as length, weight of warhead, range, etc.

Alex

I have some information about it, and there is one at Cosford IIRC. It was indeed the first British AAM to see service, and was used first (in 1958) by the Sea Venom, followed by the Javelin, Sea Vixen and Lightning. Production ended in 1969 – it began to be replaced by the improved Red Top in 1964. What exactly did you want to know?

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion forum

The Blue Jay (Firestreak) is briefly described, including its infra-red detection system, in Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 1966/67 on page 431 (I happen to have a copy, but dare not scan the page due to copyright!)