View Full Version : Saddest looking aircraft ?
peterperfect
30th Jun 2006, 08:39
About 10 years ago when studying at Hurn for licences I recall seeing a Sea Vixen mounted on a plinth in a car park behind a McDonalds in Christchurch, Dorset. Presumably near the old De Havilland works. I dont have any photos of it.
The saddest looking aircraft I ever saw.
Anyone else got similar recollections or photos ?
pp
Rushton
30th Jun 2006, 12:49
I can put my hands up to this one.
XJ580/131 was purchased by Troika Developments Ltd from Flight Refuelling after being used by them, and donated to the Sea Vixen Society, of which I was on the committee for several years. Yes it was in a sad state. It had been regularly vandalised, as it was in a public place with no security. In fact the yobbos had somehow managed to smash the front screen - not an easy task. This of course led to water entering the cockpit area and making a heck of a mess. We were only a small society and did not have sufficient funding for the upkeep, although we did consider getting a Lottery grant.
In the end disposal was seen as the best solution to preserve the Vixen. It was dismantled and transferred to Tangmere Military Aviation Museum in 2000, where it is now on display fully repainted and looking great.
treadigraph
30th Jun 2006, 12:56
The Balderton Lightning, which Chevvron posted a pic of on the Frightening thread several weeks back, springs instantly to mind. Beyond saving one suspects...
spekesoftly
30th Jun 2006, 14:27
XJ580 at Christchurch (http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/airshows99/jetheritage/seavixen.JPG)
XJ580 at Tangmere (http://photos.airliners.net/photos/middle/1/0/0/0801001.jpg)
ZH875
30th Jun 2006, 16:41
Vulcan B2 XL444
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/ZH875/ASIXL444_Scrap1X.jpg
But at least it shows the size of the Bomb Bay.
blue up
1st Jul 2006, 09:41
How about the F104 Startfighter at Corfu airstrip?
Minus wings, tail, canopy and sitting on its gear next to a bar-b-q in the middle of a stagnant cess-pool.
Golf Charlie Charlie
1st Jul 2006, 15:13
The DC-8 at the end of one of the Zurich runways ?
Anyone who has been to any airfield "fire dump" will have memories of forlorn aircraft. I remember several sad relics from my time at Bedford....Hastings (I was there when it flew in) a Sea Vixen and a Meteor (late mark I think). Driving round there on a dreary morning while doing an airfied inspection was a very sombre experience.
I think this i a Beech 18, but it is in a rather poor state in Djibouti.
BEECH 18 (http://www.richardflagg.fotopic.net/p31099990.html)
Saab Dastard
2nd Jul 2006, 00:53
There used to be a bunch of sad airframes in a field adjacent to Lasham airfield - maybe still there?
A couple of choppers and a handful of jets. Very sad to see them rotting away.
:sad:
They are still there, slowly fading away.
Too many aeroplanes to consistently look after for a tiny team of volunteers.