De Havilland Sea Vixen
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The de Havilland Sea Vixen was a two-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA); the air wing of the Royal Navy (RN), and built by de Havilland, most famous for designing the de Havilland Mosquito.
The aircraft was originally known as the DH.110; a aircraft designed for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Fleet Air Arm as an all weather capable missile armed jet fighter with high speed; the Admiralty stating a requirement for a Fleet defence fighter to eventually replaced the de Havilland Sea Venom . However, the RAF chose the Gloster Javelin, the DH.110 rival, after deciding the Javelin was a cheaper and more simple aeroplane. Despite this, de Havilland continued with the project, and by the late 1950s the Royal Navy had realised its worth, with the aircraft entering service with the Fleet Air Arm.
The protoype took to the skies in 1951 but the following year tragedy struck. It had been performing aerobatic manoevres when it suddenly disintegrated at the Farnborough Air Show, killing 31 people, including the aircraft's two crew. Due to this shocking incident, modifications were made to the other prototype. In 1955, a further DH.110 was produced, a semi-navalised variant (no foldable wings), as a prototype for the producution version, with it making its first flight that same year. The following year, the aircraft made its first arrested deck landing on the fleet aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. In 1957, the first true Sea Vixen, the Sea Vixen FAW.20 (fighter all-weather), took to the skies, though was later redesignated the FAW.1. In 1958, the FAW.1 entered service with the Fleet Air Arm and eventually over 100 FAW.1s would be built for the FAA.
The Sea Vixen had a twin-boom tail, which displays that its ancestors were the de Havilland Sea Vampire and de Havilland Sea Venom, the latter of which the Sea Vixen was intended to replace. The Sea Vixen became the first swept-wing aircraft and the first British aircraft to be solely armed with missiles, rockets and bombs. The FAW.1 was armed with four Fairey Firestreak air-to-air missiles, two Microcell unguided 51mm missiles in two packs and a capacity for four 500 lb (230 kg) bombs. It was powered by two 50.0 kN (11,230 lbf) thrust Rolls-Royce Avon 208 turbojet engines; had a speed of 690 mph (1110 km/h) and a range of 600 miles (1000 km).
A notable visual aspect of the Sea Vixen is that the bubble of the Pilot accommodation is offset to the right hand side. The other crew member is housed completely within the normal lines of the fuselage and gains access via a flush-fitting hatch with a small window.
The FAW.2 was the successor of the FAW.1 and included many improvements upon the original. Its armament was altered from the FAW.1; with the air-to-air Hawker Siddley Red Top, four SNEB rocket pods and the air-to-ground Bullpup missile being added to the inventory of the FAW.2. Other improvements included an enlarged tail boom allowing it to have additional fuel tanks; an improved escape system and additional room for more electronic counter-measures equipment.
It first flew in 1962 and entered service with front-line squadrons in 1964, with twenty-nine being built and a further sixty-seven FAW.1s being upgraded to FAW.2 standard. The FAW.1 began phasing out in 1966.
Visually the FAW.1 and FAW.2 may be easily distinguished by the tail booms which very obviously extend forward over the leading edge of the wing on the FAW.2.
In 1972, the career of the FAW.2 came to a premature end due to defence cuts with the decommissioning of HMS Eagle, leaving only one fleet carrier in-service, the HMS Ark Royal.
A small number of Sea Vixen subsequently saw service in the less glamorous roles of drone, being redesignated D.3, though they were never used in the role and only a few were actually converted to the D.3 standard. Other Sea Vixens became target tugs and were redesignated the TT.2.
The Sea Vixen was not in a true war during her career with the Fleet Air Arm though excelled in many operations. In 1961, President Abdul Karin Kassem of Iraq threatened to annex the oil-rich state of Kuwait; which he believed rightfully belonged to the Iraqi nation. Kuwait soon appealed for external help. The United Kingdom, in response to these appeals, dispatched a number of carriers, including two fleet carriers to the region. The Sea Vixen's aboard the fleet carriers flew numerous, and frequent, patrols in the region. Kassem's aggressive actions soon wilted in the face of such overwhelming naval might, thus averting a Gulf War over Kuwait, at least delaying it for another twenty-four years.
In January 1964 trouble flared up in the East African state of Tanganyika after the 1st and 2nd Tanganyika Rifles mutinied against the British officers and NCOs who, despite Tanganyika being independent, still commanded the regiment. The mutineers also seized the British High Commissioner and the airport at the capital Dar-es-Salaam. The UK responsed by sending the light fleet carrier HMS Centaur, accompanied by 45 Commando, Royal Marines. The Sea Vixens, flying off Centaur, performed a number of duties including the providing of cover for the Royal Marines who were landed in Tanganyika by helicopters. The operation to restore Tanganyika to stability ended in a complete success. That same year, Sea Vixens saw service once again in the Persian Gulf. This time, Sea Vixens helped support British forces fighting against rebellious tribesmen in the Radfan, performing a number of duties, including the launching air-strikes against the rebel tribesmen.
The Sea Vixen's saw further service during the rest of the 1960s. They performed vital duties during deployment on Beira Patrol, a Royal Navy operation designed to prevent oil reaching landlocked Rhodesia via the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique. The Sea Vixen also saw service in the Far East, but in 1967, once again in the Persian Gulf, Sea Vixens helped cover the emotional withdrawal from Aden. There were a number of Royal Navy warships involved, including the carriers Albion and Eagle; the Sea Vixens were onboard the latter, and the LPD (Landing Platform Dock) Fearless.
The Sea Vixen also took to the skies in the aerobatic role, performing in two display teams; the Simons Sircus (spelt with S) and Fred's Five. A single Sea Vixen continues to fly as of 2004, putting on displays at numerous air shows. Many other Sea Vixens remain in good condition though do not fly, and are located in a variety of museums, most are based in the UK though a handful are located abroad.
Squadrons that operated the de Havilland Sea Vixen
- Fleet Air Arm
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