Oh Albert, you do know there is a noose lying in reserve for the first person to query the paint job, don’t you? 😀

Would that be the brushed or sprayed blue you’re talking about…? 😀

Would that be the noose for the moose in the hoose? Sorry, can’t help being a stickler for accuracy. I’m sure it’s correct – probably your photos that don’t do it justice! :diablo:

Wonder if he posts here, eh Albert?

I’m sure he does, all the best people post here and I know Adrian well :rolleyes:

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

Sad to hear that. You will find good colour and b/w photos of “Simon’s Sircus” in the books “Aerobatic Teams of the World” and “De Havilland Twin Booms” by Adrian Balch, published by Airlife Publishing. Both can be obtained through Amazon.

I saw “Simon’s Sircus” perform at Yeovilton and at Farnborough in September 1968. They also appeared at Brawdy the previous month.

FOR ALL YOU XS458 FANS I AM THE NEW OWNER I HAVE BEEN SINCE DECEMBER 2001WHEN I BOUGHT FROM TONY HULLS THE AIRCRAFT IS THE MOST ACTIVE LIGHTNING IN THE UK SHE IS STARTED ONCE A MONTH FOR EITHER STACTIC OR HIGH SPEED RUNS.IN AUGUST WE CELEBRATED THE 50TH WHICH IS IN NOVEMBER ISSUE SORRY I COULD NOT MAKE IT A PUBLIC DAY BUT THERE IS ONLY SIX OF US IN THE CREW AND CRANFIELD IS A CAA AIRFIELD. WE WILL HAVE A WEB SITE VERY SOON KEEP YOU POSTED RMC

How nice to hear from you and I, for one, so much appreciate an actual Lightning owner contributing to this. Now that the 50th Anniversary is over, I have heard a rumour that the port side of XS458 will be repainted in 111 Squadron colours, the same as the starboard side. Such a shame, as I never did get to see that gorgeous 226 OCU scheme that it had on the port side. Any chance of reverting to that scheme?

Here are three more: the last airworthy Sea Prince, WP321/G-BRFC, which now resides at Bournemouth, seen during a Badminton Air Day in July 1985 and two slightly further from home,Royal Thai Air Force Princes, the complete one preserved in Bangkok in January 1996 and the wreck with the RTAF Museum at Don Muang AFB June 1989. I have lots of operational shots of RAF Pembrokes and RN Sea Princes, if anyone wants to see some?

Our in-flight meal for today will be chicken….

…I think he’s getting goosed actually! 😮

Is 8 Exeter?

And it’s in a military musem?

It’s not just a military museum, but a museum of Portuguese aviation. There is also a civil Tiger Moth and Hornet Moth in the hangar at Sintra.