Hi All,
This is a bit of a long shot but I thought I ‘d give it a try.
Back in the late 60’s a Lt Cdr Simon Idiens led a Sea Vixen aerobatic team for a season (I think) called Simons Sircus (sic). My father recalls seeing them at Culdrose saying they were mighty impressive.
Anyway Simon Idiens later went on to fly the mighty Phantom in the Fleet Air Arm but was lost off the coast of Cornwall in Jan 1972 (again I think). My father says that he and his Phantom were never found.
This story has always intrigued me – don’t know why, but it just has. I was just wondering if anyone has any memories of Simons Sircus, any photos or can confirm the story above that Simon/his aircraft were never found.
There is a good colour picture of the Sea Vixen’s of Simons Sircus putting on a display on airliners BTW.
Many thanks
Nick
By: FLYING SAUCER - 17th May 2010 at 19:04
Hi all,
Simon Idiens is also mentioned in a book that I have read called Phantom Leader by Michael J. Doust. If my memory serves me correctly, it said that Simon had broken his hands in a sledge accident some years previous and was noted that during wet drill he had some difficulty in removeing the integral harness system fitted to the F4 ie: Koch Fasteners, when the leather gloves became slippy with the water.
Get the book and check it out, it has been some time since I read it.
All the best.
By: Wyvernfan - 17th May 2010 at 10:35
Hi Nick, I Served with 892 Squadron twice in the 60’s. And 849 Squadron at Brawdy. And 804 Squadron, Sea Hawks at Lossiemouth/Eagle. 700Y/899 Squadrons at Yeovilton/Hermes. I have lots of Vixen/Sea Hawk/Gannet photos in my album. Even Gannets crashing into the barrier on Hermes ! Also, a Wyvern crashing into the funnel of Eagle. Would have to scan them all first ! Just flew in a Mustang P51 today, hands on too 🙂 Awesome power ! 😀
Hi bleeming, yes please do show us your photos.. there are many on here who would really appreciate it… especially the Wyvern ;).
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th May 2010 at 09:19
Hi Nick, I Served with 892 Squadron twice in the 60’s. And 849 Squadron at Brawdy. And 804 Squadron, Sea Hawks at Lossiemouth/Eagle. 700Y/899 Squadrons at Yeovilton/Hermes. I have lots of Vixen/Sea Hawk/Gannet photos in my album. Even Gannets crashing into the barrier on Hermes ! Also, a Wyvern crashing into the funnel of Eagle. Would have to scan them all first ! Just flew in a Mustang P51 today, hands on too 🙂 Awesome power ! 😀
Hi Bleeming,
Would love to see any (all) of your pics if possible!
Did you ever serve at CU?
Cheers,
NickB
By: pagen01 - 16th May 2010 at 10:17
You lucky so and so Bleeming!
I would love to see all your shots aswel, but especially the Gannets, Wyverns and Sea Vixens!
By: bleeming - 16th May 2010 at 06:01
804, 700Y, 899, 892 and 849 Squadrons.
Hi Nick, I Served with 892 Squadron twice in the 60’s. And 849 Squadron at Brawdy. And 804 Squadron, Sea Hawks at Lossiemouth/Eagle. 700Y/899 Squadrons at Yeovilton/Hermes. I have lots of Vixen/Sea Hawk/Gannet photos in my album. Even Gannets crashing into the barrier on Hermes ! Also, a Wyvern crashing into the funnel of Eagle. Would have to scan them all first ! Just flew in a Mustang P51 today, hands on too 🙂 Awesome power ! 😀
By: ELEINE.MALLETT - 13th May 2010 at 14:20
Simons Circus
I remember spending long summer days cleaning cars from the Langport area after failure of the aero dye to function with Simons Circus
By: ALBERT ROSS - 1st January 2006 at 00:22
Yes please – here here, any pics of the team, aircraft, pilots etc?
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th December 2005 at 23:51
SCOOBYPILOT
Welcome to this thread – don’t suppose you have any ‘SIRCUS’ pics you care to share do you?
Happy New Year!
NickB
By: SCOOBYPILOT - 30th December 2005 at 21:00
SIMONS SIRCUS
ALBERT HI,I was referring to a past request as I have just joined,for info on SIMON IDIENS,some of the threads are old, and I was part of the aerobatic team and trying to help with info, I have a number of photos and one with the BOSS in it when we were ashore in MOMBASA,fond memories!!! MARTIN J
By: ALBERT ROSS - 30th December 2005 at 20:06
Sorry to hear that Martin, but when was that and in what?
By: SCOOBYPILOT - 30th December 2005 at 19:07
SIMON IDIENS (SIMONS SIRCUS)
SORRY to chip in a year late, but only joining now having read your request for info on my boss,yes we lost him sadly off trevose head cornwall,loss of control at 31,000 feet, he entered a spin, and both ejected, but the boss`s chute failed the obs survived.MARTIN J
By: Steve Bond - 30th September 2005 at 07:58
NickB – I have loads of AEW3s too. I used to haunt Brawdy during my summer holidays. If interested, please send me a PM, rather than highjiking this thread, as Albert says.
By: ALBERT ROSS - 29th September 2005 at 22:01
849 – any flight but I have a soft spot for ‘b’ flt.
Sorry JDK!!
Thx
Nick
Okay, 849B it is!
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th September 2005 at 20:55
849 – any flight but I have a soft spot for ‘b’ flt.
Sorry JDK!!
Thx
Nick
By: ALBERT ROSS - 29th September 2005 at 20:34
Glad to hear you’re supporting the family business! :rolleyes:
Excellent book – love some of the pics taken a Boscombe in the late 60’s
Don’t suppose you have any lovely Gannet AEW3 pics you’d to share do you?!
Yes plenty, just name the squadron? However that would be ‘hi-jacking’ this “Simons Sircus” thread 🙁 As JDK would say, ‘its not cricket’ ! :rolleyes:
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th September 2005 at 20:22
Glad to hear you’re supporting the family business! :rolleyes:
Excellent book – love some of the pics taken a Boscombe in the late 60’s
Don’t suppose you have any lovely Gannet AEW3 pics you’d to share do you?!
By: ALBERT ROSS - 29th September 2005 at 20:19
Albert
Thanks for confirming that – so the old grey cells weren’t deceiving me after all!
BTW are you the man behind ‘Testing Colours’? If so you have my respect sir!
Nick Bassett
Yesssiree!! …and Im chewing one of your liquorice allsorts 😀
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th September 2005 at 20:12
Albert
Thanks for confirming that – so the old grey cells weren’t deceiving me after all!
BTW are you the man behind ‘Testing Colours’? If so you have my respect sir!
Nick Bassett
By: ALBERT ROSS - 29th September 2005 at 14:15
About 3 years ago I remember reading an article about I think ‘Pathe’ releasing their film archive onto the internet. I had a play around on the web site and did a few searches and did indeed find footage of Simon’s Sircus with a Lion Cub filmed at Yeovilton. IIRC it also included some footage of a Sea Venom (probably from the FRU) making a wheels up landing at Yeovilton that conicidentally happened whilst the film crew were filming the ‘Sircus’.
I’m pretty sure it was the Pathe web site but forgive me if I’m wrong. When I get a quieter moment I’ll report back after doing a bit of digging…
Hi Nick,
Yes your right, no doubt JDK will come on with his ‘British Pathe’ hat on, promoting the site as its one of his (and mine) favourites. This site has some great stuff on it, but if you want a copy of any footage it costs an arm-and-a-leg even in VHS format!
By: Arabella-Cox - 29th September 2005 at 14:01
About 3 years ago I remember reading an article about I think ‘Pathe’ releasing their film archive onto the internet. I had a play around on the web site and did a few searches and did indeed find footage of Simon’s Sircus with a Lion Cub filmed at Yeovilton. IIRC it also included some footage of a Sea Venom (probably from the FRU) making a wheels up landing at Yeovilton that conicidentally happened whilst the film crew were filming the ‘Sircus’.
I’m pretty sure it was the Pathe web site but forgive me if I’m wrong. When I get a quieter moment I’ll report back after doing a bit of digging…
Sign In
October 19, 2004 at 3:27 pm