One of my favourites of Duxfords residents is the last Gloster Javelin to of flown, FAW.9 XH897 having been retired to the IWM on the 24th January 1975, 36 years ago.
I have just found these stunning photos on the web of XH897’s arrival and final taxi at her new home, and hope the photographer Trevor Davies won’t mind me using them as a tribute to a largely forgotten RAF type.
Other contributions would be much appreciated.
By: Wyvernfan - 9th May 2011 at 08:47
When 64 squadrons Javelins first arrived at Duxford in 1958 on a very foggy day, my ole mum said it sounded like a squadron of UFO’s. And judging by that sound clip i think she had a good point :).
Also didn’t realise that a diecast 1/72nd scale model of the Javelin has / is being released. Its an FAW.9R in 64 sqdn markings whilst based at Waterbeach in 1961, just after their move from Duxford following its closure.
By: lauriebe - 9th May 2011 at 02:31
The only sound track that I have come across:
By: Wyvernfan - 8th May 2011 at 17:54
To help keep the thread going i have trawled up these pics of her pre Duxford.
Mindful of treading on photographers toes i have posted the links rather than the actual pics.
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/503882L.html
http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=1806&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/JonesVincent/7182L.jpg
By: pagen01 - 8th May 2011 at 14:34
Finding any footage of Javelins with the sound seems nigh on impossible.
Good little amateur film here of 60 sqn ops during the Borneo missions, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMvXaAEt0I4&feature=related,
again no Jav sounds:(
By: Wyvernfan - 7th May 2011 at 09:03
As i understand it all the photos were taken on the same day as her arrival at Duxford.
If anyone has anymore photos of her final flight or during her service career then please feel free to post them :).
By: 92fis - 6th May 2011 at 17:52
2nd pic is at a much later date …..
It looks like it was taken a few minutes after the first photo to me, if not the crew did well to stay in the cockpit with the engines running for that long.
By: Slipstream - 6th May 2011 at 16:59
Very jealous….. really need to see – and hear! – some film of a Javelin in the air now….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv2RFV_X1Yg&feature=related
found this on Youtube, must be other stuff out there…
By: Discendo Duces - 6th May 2011 at 13:22
Very jealous….. really need to see – and hear! – some film of a Javelin in the air now….
I hope you are successful.
With some aeroplanes, the sound they make or made is or was a big factor in adding to their appeal to the spectator.
Think Meteor 8, Shackleton, Harvard, anything with a Merlin, Douglas C-133 if anyone remembers, and of course, the big-engined Hunter.
There must be many more, it’s all a matter of personal preference of course.
DD:)
By: DragonRapide - 6th May 2011 at 11:50
I was there that day, what I remember the most was the lovely blue note on the final run and break before landing.
Dd
Very jealous….. really need to see – and hear! – some film of a Javelin in the air now….
By: SADSACK - 6th May 2011 at 01:58
re;
nice if anyone had any cine of her arriving
By: Discendo Duces - 6th May 2011 at 00:15
I was there that day, what I remember the most was the lovely blue note on the final run and break before landing.
Dd
By: Wyvernfan - 5th May 2011 at 22:23
No problem. Be good if it resulted in more pics of XH897 being posted.
By: --o-o-O-o-o-- - 5th May 2011 at 21:26
Hope you don’t mind but I’ve posted a link to this thread on the Jet Age Museum’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jet-Age-Museum/100374323379961#!/pages/The-Jet-Age-Museum/100374323379961
Excellent pictures!
By: SMS88 - 5th May 2011 at 16:16
Very nice, i remember this as the most impressive aircraft of all on my first visit to Duxford in 1977
By: Black Knight - 3rd May 2011 at 11:08
One of my faves due to the colour scheme, really hope IWM restore it & keep those markings!
By: pagen01 - 3rd May 2011 at 10:39
Wasn’t that pretty much the same month as the Sea Vixen or am I getting very old?
The Sea Vixen arrived in March 1972.
I would have loved to have seen the Javelin arrival, thanks for posting up the pics Rob.
By: Sky High - 3rd May 2011 at 09:35
Lovely to see it in the air – thanks for sharing these…..:)
By: scotavia - 2nd May 2011 at 22:53
I rememeber this Javelin gathering air samples above Cardigan Bay after Concord had flown the other direction supersonic.
By: DragonRapide - 2nd May 2011 at 19:30
Great images!
Having been around Duxford since the early 80s, I am so used to seeing the Javelin in it’s rather faded red and white; the airborne shot, wheels up, and the brightness of the colourscheme on arrival come as a bit of a shock!
By: G-ASEA - 2nd May 2011 at 18:42
I remember seeing it on its last flight into Duxford. I was in the works van just happend to be near Duxford on that day.
Dave
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May 2, 2011 at 2:59 pm