Sea Vixen XP924 'Foxy Lady'.
Since September 2014 I've been proud to assist the Fly Navy Heritage Trust as a part of the Sea Vixen Team.
The Sea Vixen is the only airworthy aircraft of its type in the world and is now a dedicated airshow aircraft. The Sea Vixen represents a glorious period of Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier strike through the 1950's and 1960's. It's a living, breathing memorial to the 51 brave young men who made the ultimate sacrifice while in Royal Navy service.
The aircraft itself served with 899 Naval Air Squadron and was home based at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton-HMS Heron. As part of the Royal Navy's carrier strike capability XP924 would operate from the heaving, pitching flight deck of HMS Eagle. Around the globe the aircraft played a significant part in UK Government policy and, if the need arose would have been at the forefront of any cold war conflict. A sobering thought.
Indeed Sea Vixen's maintained the punch of ‘Carrier Strike’ at constant readiness during a period when the Royal Navy’s worldwide reach and power projection was at its height. In 1961 and 1964, Sea Vixens saw service in the Persian Gulf and later in the 1960s they played a crucial role on the Beira Patrol preventing oil reaching landlocked Rhodesia. With the upgraded FAW.2 entering service in early 1964, Sea Vixens embarked in HMS Centaur took part in the successful operation to restore stability in the East African state of Tanganyika.
Today the aircraft's goal is to remember those who went before and to inspire future generations. This is integral to the aircraft and to the wider Navy Wings aircraft. As the sole airworthy fast-jet in the Navy Wings fleet, XP924 has become the spearhead of naval heritage aircraft. She is the focal point and has an ever growing fan base.
For many thousands of airshow spectators and enthusiasts the aircraft is now the highlight of any display. The reputation of the aircraft is increasing rapidly due to the wonderful, powerful displays flown by its pilot, Cdr Simon Hargreaves OBE RNR. I've known Simon since I was 11 years old when we both lived in the picturesque village of Martock, Somerset. So it's nice to be able to have that link and I hope it gives me the ability to convey what I'm after from him when I have a camera in hand.
For my part, I have to say I enjoy immensely my small role as part of the Sea Vixen Team, which sees me taking photographs and writing words to highlight this great piece of British engineering. Although my 'day job' as an aviation journalist and photographer can, and is very diverse and interesting, I feel I'm happiest while in the company of XP924. From a photographic point of view, there isn't anything like the Sea Vixen. She has a character all of her own and her sleek lines and smooth curves are a joy to photograph. On a bright sunny day she looks magnificent, glowing and shimmering in the sunlight. But on a damp, dark day she can look mean and moody and sometimes sinister. She has a bucketful of character for sure.
Because of my tender years I never witnessed the halcyon days of RNAS Yeovilton when the entire fleet of the Royal Navy's Sea Vixen were home based here. There are those quiet moments when I get to realise how lucky I am to be able to get 'up close and personnel' with the aircraft on a weekly basis. Although Yeovilton itself has changed a lot over the years, there are a few areas of the airfield that are virtually untouched by development, and it is those areas when the Vixen is around that I get a sense of what it was like here 'back in the day'.
To that end, it is vital that all of us remain dedicated to keeping this naval icon 'alive'. She has a vast history of her own, but she also represents a bygone era that must be kept for future generations. It would be akin to treason if we were to let this aircraft fade away.
Through her supporters, support staff and engineers she is becoming the darling of the UK airshow circuit, and we would be letting her down if we didn't give her all the support, and love she needs; she is worth it!
The Sea Vixen is the only airworthy aircraft of its type in the world and is now a dedicated airshow aircraft. The Sea Vixen represents a glorious period of Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier strike through the 1950's and 1960's. It's a living, breathing memorial to the 51 brave young men who made the ultimate sacrifice while in Royal Navy service.
The aircraft itself served with 899 Naval Air Squadron and was home based at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton-HMS Heron. As part of the Royal Navy's carrier strike capability XP924 would operate from the heaving, pitching flight deck of HMS Eagle. Around the globe the aircraft played a significant part in UK Government policy and, if the need arose would have been at the forefront of any cold war conflict. A sobering thought.
Indeed Sea Vixen's maintained the punch of ‘Carrier Strike’ at constant readiness during a period when the Royal Navy’s worldwide reach and power projection was at its height. In 1961 and 1964, Sea Vixens saw service in the Persian Gulf and later in the 1960s they played a crucial role on the Beira Patrol preventing oil reaching landlocked Rhodesia. With the upgraded FAW.2 entering service in early 1964, Sea Vixens embarked in HMS Centaur took part in the successful operation to restore stability in the East African state of Tanganyika.
Today the aircraft's goal is to remember those who went before and to inspire future generations. This is integral to the aircraft and to the wider Navy Wings aircraft. As the sole airworthy fast-jet in the Navy Wings fleet, XP924 has become the spearhead of naval heritage aircraft. She is the focal point and has an ever growing fan base.
For many thousands of airshow spectators and enthusiasts the aircraft is now the highlight of any display. The reputation of the aircraft is increasing rapidly due to the wonderful, powerful displays flown by its pilot, Cdr Simon Hargreaves OBE RNR. I've known Simon since I was 11 years old when we both lived in the picturesque village of Martock, Somerset. So it's nice to be able to have that link and I hope it gives me the ability to convey what I'm after from him when I have a camera in hand.
For my part, I have to say I enjoy immensely my small role as part of the Sea Vixen Team, which sees me taking photographs and writing words to highlight this great piece of British engineering. Although my 'day job' as an aviation journalist and photographer can, and is very diverse and interesting, I feel I'm happiest while in the company of XP924. From a photographic point of view, there isn't anything like the Sea Vixen. She has a character all of her own and her sleek lines and smooth curves are a joy to photograph. On a bright sunny day she looks magnificent, glowing and shimmering in the sunlight. But on a damp, dark day she can look mean and moody and sometimes sinister. She has a bucketful of character for sure.
Because of my tender years I never witnessed the halcyon days of RNAS Yeovilton when the entire fleet of the Royal Navy's Sea Vixen were home based here. There are those quiet moments when I get to realise how lucky I am to be able to get 'up close and personnel' with the aircraft on a weekly basis. Although Yeovilton itself has changed a lot over the years, there are a few areas of the airfield that are virtually untouched by development, and it is those areas when the Vixen is around that I get a sense of what it was like here 'back in the day'.
To that end, it is vital that all of us remain dedicated to keeping this naval icon 'alive'. She has a vast history of her own, but she also represents a bygone era that must be kept for future generations. It would be akin to treason if we were to let this aircraft fade away.
Through her supporters, support staff and engineers she is becoming the darling of the UK airshow circuit, and we would be letting her down if we didn't give her all the support, and love she needs; she is worth it!
Short clip of high-power engine run carried out in June 2015.
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A little walk around of the Sea Vixen early one summers morning.
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Please feel free to download a copy of the Sea Vixen 'Flyer' that I helped to produce for the Fly Navy Heritage Trust. This 'Flyer' is given to airshow spectators and contains contact information for NAVY WINGS.
sea_vixen_flyer_final.pdf | |
File Size: | 999 kb |
File Type: |
You can also keep up with the Sea Vixen by visiting the Sea Vixen FAW2 G-CVIX 'Foxy Lady' Facebook page. This page was set-up by Dawn Stokes who has been the driving force behind the aircraft's fundraising and media profile for many years. I am also a contributor to this page.
www.facebook.com/XP924/?ref=page_internal
www.facebook.com/XP924/?ref=page_internal