sea vixen

CS, they have been granted permission by the CAA to conduct routine maintenance on the Vixen, as long as it’s under the watchful eye of PK until their own approvals come through. One of the ailerons has been removed and some niggles rectified, and they’ve also been looking into sourcing a spare engine and a supply of spare tyres!

This information comes courtesy of the “Foxy Lady” FB page!

Rob

It reports that ‘flapjack’ was the last pilot to fly the Sea Vixen in both RN service and civilian ownership, and had special dispensation from the CAA to fly the aircraft before change of ownership. So does this mean that it will be flown by Jonathan again next year, or that the new owners will train and use a different pilot?

Rob

Actually, if we’re being pedantic, none of this alphabet soup of organisations currently operate anything.

Some more information and photos here – http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/09/19/aviation-news-sea-vixen-faw2-xp924-g-cvix-handed-over-to-the-fly-navy-heritage-trust/

“Two Sea Furies that the Trust operates”?? The Trust operates neither. NAL operates the T.20; RNHF operates the FB.11.

“Badly damaged Sea Fury”. Has GAR actually seen it, then?

I think its worth noting the terrific achievement of getting the aircraft back in the air, through the time as a flying billboard for Red Bull, and up to recent ownership, and repair after the landing accident. Two individuals have been responsible for the whole endeavour, Gwyn Jones as the instigator, and Julian Jones for keeping it going. It has always been operated with a simple dignity; with no threats should funding dry up.

Lets hope it can continue. I wonder how many engines they have left!!

Bruce

Let’s not forget Paul Kingsbury (PK) who has done a magnificent job of keeping her airworthy.

hee hee – Pilots Notes for the respective types say Seafire and Sea Hawk!!

Lee, could you outline the differences for us?

Quite simple, really: that’s what they were called and that’s how they were spelt.:rolleyes:

Thanks for that – we do have one flying regularly in NZ and stationed at Ohakea Air Force Base. Quite noisy and fast – the Ghost engine. The Sea Vixen was quite a bit bigger with the powerful Avon engine.

Still around, in fact it’s now the only one in the UK still in Permit.

No, and there haven’t been for decades. We’re almost out of twin-boomers sadly. One two-seat Vampire, and another that flies very occasionally from North Weald. One Venom, and another who’s permit has lapsed, and the Vixen. That’s about it.

What happened to the Venom in Suez colors that made a wheels up at Biggin Hill many years ago?

Some more information and photos here – http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/09/19/aviation-news-sea-vixen-faw2-xp924-g-cvix-handed-over-to-the-fly-navy-heritage-trust/

No, and there haven’t been for decades. We’re almost out of twin-boomers sadly. One two-seat Vampire, and another that flies very occasionally from North Weald. One Venom, and another who’s permit has lapsed, and the Vixen. That’s about it.

Being ignorant and in NZ, are there any Sea Venoms flying in the UK?

I think its worth noting the terrific achievement of getting the aircraft back in the air, through the time as a flying billboard for Red Bull, and up to recent ownership, and repair after the landing accident. Two individuals have been responsible for the whole endeavour, Gwyn Jones as the instigator, and Julian Jones for keeping it going. It has always been operated with a simple dignity; with no threats should funding dry up.

Lets hope it can continue. I wonder how many engines they have left!!

Bruce

“spectacular presentation ceremony ” with unplanned drama when a tyre burst on touchdown. Good luck to all who have kept the jet flying and a also wishing a a safe future for the Vixen ,crew and ground team.

Apparently it is Naval Aviation Limited who have today taken possession of the Sea Vixen.

From the FNHT website…..

“The Fly Navy Heritage Trust is delighted to announce that it has received a substantial transformational gift of a historic 1950s Royal Navy de Havilland Sea Vixen. The classic Fleet Air Arm fighter was formally handed over to the Fly Navy Heritage Trust by her former owner and Ambassador of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust, Julian Jones, at a spectacular presentation ceremony at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton on Tuesday 16 September 2014.
Sea Vixen FAW2 (Fighter all Weather) G-CVIX XP924, the only flying Sea Vixen in the world, flew into RNAS Yeovilton in style, thrilling the waiting reception of guests with a poignant and emotional display. Unfortunately, she burst a tyre on landing but this did not deter the excitement of her homecoming or the enthusiasm of the welcome she received from the Fly Navy Heritage Trust Sea Vixen Team and veterans who flew and maintained the aircraft when she had been in naval service.
The aircraft, painted in 899 Naval Air Squadron colours from HMS Eagle in 1971, and flown by a former 899 Naval Air Squadron pilot, Jonathon Whaley, was handed over by Julian Jones to Commodore Bill Covington CBE, the G-CVIX team leader for the Fly Navy Heritage Trust.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Commodore Covington said “We are going to keep G-CVIX flying. The Sea Vixen has a seminal place in the heart of the Fleet Air Arm. Today’s presentation of the last flying Sea Vixen to the Fly Navy Heritage Trust, in partnership with the Royal Navy, is an exceptional act of generosity, safeguarding the future of this iconic fighter for the benefit of the public and her loyal supporters.”
In recent years G-CVIX, affectionately known as Foxy Lady, has been flown and operated by Bournemouth based, DS Aviation, owned by Julian Jones, founder of Drilling Systems, a global provider of simulation technology to the oil and gas industry.
Speaking as he handed over two sets of ceremonial keys to the aircraft, Julian Jones said “It gives me great pleasure to know that G-CVIX has been returned to her home base at RNAS Yeovilton. I know she will have pride of place in the Fly Navy Heritage Trust collection and will continue to be part of our national naval aviation heritage for many years to come.”
“In 1961, the year I was born” continued Julian Jones “Sea Vixens were patrolling the skies of the Arabian Gulf, maintaining peace and stability in the region and ensuring that oil flowed through the Straits of Hormuz to the Western world – quite fitting as my own business, some 50 years later, trades freely throughout the Middle East region. I have been privileged to have the opportunity to show my appreciation, 50 years on, by keeping the Sea Vixen flying and fast jet, carrier based aviation alive in the public eye.”
Also speaking at the handover ceremony, Rear Admiral Russ Harding OBE, Head of the Fleet Air Arm and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Aviation, Amphibious Capability and Carriers said “We are delighted that the Sea Vixen is returning to the Fleet Air Arm. She is a landmark aircraft in the Naval Aviation Heritage story and will be an important addition to the Fly Navy Heritage collection. We are extremely grateful to Julian Jones for his great generosity. His passion and sustained commitment to keeping the Sea Vixen flying over many years has saved a national treasure.”
Rear Admiral Harding continued “The Sea Vixen flew on continuous and intensive operations throughout the 1960s and early 1970s at the height of the Cold War and represents the high speed strike aircraft of the ‘jet age’ of naval fixed wing carrier operations. She not only symbolises the evolution of naval carrier jet aircraft but is a powerful and direct link with the Royal Navy’s return to ‘big deck’ naval carrier operations with the two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and the Lightning II aircraft poised to enter service with the Royal Navy in the next few years.”
Among those attending the ceremony was Admiral Sir Michael Layard KCB CBE, President of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust Sea Vixen Team and a former Commanding Officer of 899 Naval Air Squadron. “It has been a very special and historic day” said Admiral Sir Michael. “Seeing C-VIX being flown so superbly in the safe and deft hands of Jonathon Whaley brought back many memories; especially of the many fine naval aviators who gave their lives in that most intensive era of naval flying. We don’t under estimate the challenges of keeping such a magnificent and potent aircraft flying and we will rely greatly on our supporters, enthusiasts and the generosity of benefactors to raise the money needed to keep her in superb flying condition.”
The Sea Vixen has displayed on four occasions in the last few weeks culminating in a classic Avon three aircraft display alongside a Hunter and Canberra at the Bournemouth Air Show last month. As part of the handover from its Bournemouth base to RNAS Yeovilton, the Sea Vixen also flew at RNAS Yeovilton on 12 September. Sea Vixen G-CVIX will be operated by Naval Aviation Ltd, a subsidiary of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust and after a period of winter maintenance will continue to fly at air shows and events around the country in 2015 as a signature aircraft in the Royal Navy’s Heritage Collection.”

Fly Navy Heritage Trust = FNHT (not RNHT). As distinct from Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF). Which isn’t Naval Aviation Limited (NAL). The subtle differences between these three entities should be understood – who owns and operates what – before making assumptions or posting comments that might mislead.

Apparently it is Naval Aviation Limited who have today taken possession of the Sea Vixen.

Ha hah ! Can’t remember ” officers ” working on our Sea Vixens :-P. Remember the AEO’s hovering about in white overalls and wearing a beret 🙂 80 year old Ex. 892, 899 Squadron LAM A/E ” worker ” 😉
Must be a few of us ” workers ” left to keep it flying ? In the FAA when ” we were needin’ ’em not feeding ’em ” 😛 ” Splice the mainbrace ” I’m now looking after 2 Tiger Moths 🙂 Happy days. Without malice 🙂

Ah, but is it a “Seafire”, or a “Sea Fire”? 😉

hee hee – Pilots Notes for the respective types say Seafire and Sea Hawk!!

Lee, could you outline the differences for us?

Fly Navy Heritage Trust = FNHT (not RNHT). As distinct from Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF). Which isn’t Naval Aviation Limited (NAL). The subtle differences between these three entities should be understood – who owns and operates what – before making assumptions or posting comments that might mislead.

And it’s Sea Hawk, not Seahawk. :eagerness:

My comments; not those of others.

Just saying!

Ah, but is it a “Seafire”, or a “Sea Fire”? 😉

I’m not sure, the Seahawk hasn’t flown much in the last 20 years or so has it?

Mike, I think the Sea Vixen has been flying since 2000, with the Sea Hawk flying at some point since then as well, so I think the opportunity has been there!

Rob