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These pictures were taken at RNAS Yeovilton on September 29 2001 at a reunion open to all ex-Sea Vixen fliers, maintenance crews and partners. There were also some aviation enthusiasts in attendance.
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Pulling up into the sun. |
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Undercarriage is practically housed, flaps almost retracted and only the arrester hook still clearly visible.
At the base of each fin can be seen a downward protrusion at the tip of which is a solid brass sacrificial skid. The aircraft when landing on a runway would employ aerodynamic braking by holding the nose high as in this shot. If the nose was a little too high then the skids contacted the runway and wore down in display of sparks, spectacular at night. These brass skids could be a devil to change if worn down past the heads of the retaining bolts. |
Climbing away into the sun. |
| A Sea Vixen Mk2 could reach 40000 feet in about eight and a half minutes (six and a half for a Mk 1). Maximum service ceiling was 48000 feet although Marcus Edwards is on record as having achieved 55000 feet. By which time the aircraft was wallowing with very little control. |
| Feel free to e-mail me with any comments and feedback. |
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