Saddest looking aircraft ?
Thread Starter
Saddest looking aircraft ?
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
The saddest looking aircraft I ever saw.
Anyone else got similar recollections or photos ?
pp
Join Date: Dec 2003
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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.
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.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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The Balderton Lightning, which Chevvron posted a pic of on the Frightening thread several weeks back, springs instantly to mind. Beyond saving one suspects...
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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.
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
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.
A couple of choppers and a handful of jets. Very sad to see them rotting away.
