Sea Harrier photos from Falklands War - my dad? (E-J)
Given E-J's exploits in a Vixen, it's an appropiate co-incidence that today the world's last airworthy Sea Vixen took to the skies again today for a test flight, after probably nearly a year on the ground due to lack of sponsorship.....
QWIN,
What a small world: I was in the planeguard for that landing of yours, and could hardly believe what I saw at the time
Bits of Buccaneer and Sea Vixen followed your flight path off the angle, and there was the merest twitch of roll before E-J got it under control.
Anna, I'm away from home for a few months, but if I can find any relevant photos for you I will. I was also on Ark with 824NAS at the same time as E-J, 1973-74.
What a small world: I was in the planeguard for that landing of yours, and could hardly believe what I saw at the time
Bits of Buccaneer and Sea Vixen followed your flight path off the angle, and there was the merest twitch of roll before E-J got it under control.Anna, I'm away from home for a few months, but if I can find any relevant photos for you I will. I was also on Ark with 824NAS at the same time as E-J, 1973-74.
Last edited by John Eacott; 27th Jun 2008 at 16:34. Reason: Add 824NAS: don't want to be thought of as a stovie!
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John Eacott
I was always very comforted by the presence of the planeguard, and eternally grateful that I never had to call on your services.
A further footnote to the tale is that the complete film of our excursion along the deck was shown in the wardroom cinema that evening before the main movie. Believe me it was more frightening watching from the outside than it had been in the cockpit. This is probably because during the incident we only thought we had hit one thing!
I understand that the film is somewhere in the FAA Museum archives.
QWIN
A further footnote to the tale is that the complete film of our excursion along the deck was shown in the wardroom cinema that evening before the main movie. Believe me it was more frightening watching from the outside than it had been in the cockpit. This is probably because during the incident we only thought we had hit one thing!
I understand that the film is somewhere in the FAA Museum archives.
QWIN
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From:Welcome to the official web site for the Fleet Air Arm Museum
Centre for Naval Aviation Records & Research
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Box D6, RNAS Yeovilton
Near Ilchester, Somerset
BA22 8HT
Tel: +44 (0) 1935 840565
Fax: +44 (0) 1935 842630
E-mail: [email protected]
"The Records and Research Centre is open from 1000 to 1300 and 1400 to 1600."
Centre for Naval Aviation Records & Research
Fleet Air Arm Museum
Box D6, RNAS Yeovilton
Near Ilchester, Somerset
BA22 8HT
Tel: +44 (0) 1935 840565
Fax: +44 (0) 1935 842630
E-mail: [email protected]
"The Records and Research Centre is open from 1000 to 1300 and 1400 to 1600."
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The film
Hi I am Anna's partner, I have contacted the FAA museum and passed our request onto a man named Phil who is back in on Monday, they say they have probably still got the film in the archive and will do their best to dig it out , incedentaly the sea vixen in question xn657 according to the demobbed website now resides in Lavendon Bucks 10 miles from our house, its owned by a private collector so once again if you have a contact number or know who owns it please let us know, maybe the owner will let our boys clamber all over it whilst we take some photos.
On another note, I can't believe Anna's dad was so popular,we have learned things about him we never knew and for this we are eternaly grateful, my one regret is that my boys will never get to meet him but thanks to you all they shall certainly be able to read about him, so once again from Anna and I ,thank you all E-j was a lucky man to have had you as friends.
Kind Regards
Russ
On another note, I can't believe Anna's dad was so popular,we have learned things about him we never knew and for this we are eternaly grateful, my one regret is that my boys will never get to meet him but thanks to you all they shall certainly be able to read about him, so once again from Anna and I ,thank you all E-j was a lucky man to have had you as friends.
Kind Regards
Russ
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Russ/Anna - Or ask the owners of the one that's just got airborne again:
Drilling Systems (U.K.) Ltd
Hurn View House,
5 Aviation Park West,
Bournemouth International Airport,
Dorset,
BH23 6EW tel 01202 582255
The aircraft is based at Bournemouth/Hurn airport, I believe.
I don't think XN657 is at Lavendon - there's a cockpit at this museum
but it's not 657. Bits of 657 were at a scrapyard in Essex, but it's been broken up.
The closest to you may be the two Sea Vixens at the De Havilland Museum by J22 of the M25.
Drilling Systems (U.K.) Ltd
Hurn View House,
5 Aviation Park West,
Bournemouth International Airport,
Dorset,
BH23 6EW tel 01202 582255
The aircraft is based at Bournemouth/Hurn airport, I believe.
I don't think XN657 is at Lavendon - there's a cockpit at this museum
but it's not 657. Bits of 657 were at a scrapyard in Essex, but it's been broken up.
The closest to you may be the two Sea Vixens at the De Havilland Museum by J22 of the M25.
Last edited by airborne_artist; 27th Jun 2008 at 12:23. Reason: Corrected m-way junction number
Originally Posted by Anna E-J
incedentaly the sea vixen in question xn657 according to the demobbed website now resides in Lavendon Bucks 10 miles from our house, its owned by a private collector so once again if you have a contact number or know who owns it please let us know, maybe the owner will let our boys clamber all over it whilst we take some photos
Pretty sure XN657 or bits of it no longer exist. XN657 was in fact the lead conversion and test aircraft for the D.3 target drone conversion back in 1974.
Agree, the two Vixens at the DH Museum would be a best bet to go and see close up. I can send a PM request via another forum to one of the curators there and ask if they would open one up etc, if you would like.
There is another Vixen being worked on back to a potential 'live' but not flying state at Bruntingthorpe, along with a 'live' Buccaneer in RN colours, which isn't too far from you and may be worth a visit.
Last edited by GeeRam; 27th Jun 2008 at 12:51.
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Sea Vixens Various.
Anna/Russ,
Sometimes coincidences get weird.
XN657 was returned to the Naval Aircraft Support Unit at Yeovilton for repair, on August 12 1971 I flew in the back again on its first flight after the accident. If as appears to be the case it no longer exists I am able to offer an alternative. On the previous trip that John and I flew on 23 Jan 71 we flew XS576. XS576 is in the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and I would be more than happy to show you around. XS576 is in 899 markings although it bears the names of another crew on the cockpit side.
Let me know.
Sometimes coincidences get weird.
XN657 was returned to the Naval Aircraft Support Unit at Yeovilton for repair, on August 12 1971 I flew in the back again on its first flight after the accident. If as appears to be the case it no longer exists I am able to offer an alternative. On the previous trip that John and I flew on 23 Jan 71 we flew XS576. XS576 is in the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and I would be more than happy to show you around. XS576 is in 899 markings although it bears the names of another crew on the cockpit side.
Let me know.
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" a clip of the clipping"
Seaking
I take from your comments you know "our man in the archive" if you could assist that would be most helpfull,a picture is one thing ,but a film clip of this infamous clipping would be great to see !
Regards
Russ Anna's partner
I take from your comments you know "our man in the archive" if you could assist that would be most helpfull,a picture is one thing ,but a film clip of this infamous clipping would be great to see !
Regards
Russ Anna's partner
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Russ & Anna,
Details of the surviving Sea Vixens are found here:
DE HAVILLAND SEA VIXEN - SURVIVORS
The site also has details of the surviving RN Phantoms. The only Sea Harrier FRS1 is at Yeovilton
Details of the surviving Sea Vixens are found here:
DE HAVILLAND SEA VIXEN - SURVIVORS
The site also has details of the surviving RN Phantoms. The only Sea Harrier FRS1 is at Yeovilton
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Anna
I don't know if anyone's mentioned it yet, but have you tried Martyn Dean's Sea Vixen site at Sea Vixen. Royal Navy. Carrier Jet. - Home?
I don't know if anyone's mentioned it yet, but have you tried Martyn Dean's Sea Vixen site at Sea Vixen. Royal Navy. Carrier Jet. - Home?
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Anna / Rus, call Compton Abbas airfield in Dorset and ask for Dave Morgan's number - he is still displaying a Yak 50 aerobatic aircraft mainly doing solo displays and his day job is a B747 driver for Virgin...
Dave knew your dad well and im sure will have photos of him down south - he may be at the airfield today as they have a big event on and he will probably be displaying
best of luck
Dave knew your dad well and im sure will have photos of him down south - he may be at the airfield today as they have a big event on and he will probably be displaying
best of luck
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Phil returned from Glastonbury in one piece and says he will have a look for the film, however he does not recall ever seeing it, he remembers the incident as he was there at the time.
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Thanks Seaking , I spoke to Phil yesterday , he was under the impression the accident occured in a Buccaneer so this maybe why he doesn't recall seeing the film, he did say he would do his best as he remembered E-J well and was Anna's gym teacher, thanks for your help though, we have had little luck trying to find photos but great feedback from everybody on the forum.
Regards
Russ
Regards
Russ
E-J the AWI! amazing
Hello!
I am a crazy Greek with hobbies entirely outside one's natural enviroment (I am not a pilot but rather an engineer), I have no military connections in my family and am not mil myself, yet there's hardly a thing in life that I enjoy more than fighter aircraft, especially naval a/c and fighter pilots especially very good ones such as John Eyton-Jones! In addition, I was four during the Falklands, don't recall a thing about it when it happened, but have the entire bookshelf published about that air war!
To the point: Anna if you are reading this I have a slight angle to provide you with on your dad! I recently found out about the F-14 Tomcat Association and I very quickly saw that some of the absolute legends of fighter aviation ''reside'' there. Your dad had done an exchange tour with the US Navy test and evaluation squadron, VX-4. Now at least a couple of american VX-4 pilots are at the Association's website and I, in discussing fighter pilots, actually asked whether anyone knew your father. American fighter legend Joe ''Hoser'' Satrapa (of the "no kill, like a guns kills" fame) replied and he said that he knew E-J and had fought with and against him as a VX-4 mate. He thought very highly of him as indeed he thought of all the Brit exchange crews who served with the US Navy at the time.
I've been a nuisance to fighter pilots ever since I was 15 or so (I am now 30 and still haven't dropped the habit) but I am positive that Cdr Doug Macdonald of the FAA Officers Association will have some stories about E-J. I'd met Mr Doug at the FAAOA in my youth and pestered him about anything and everything FLY NAVY! particularly Air Warfare Instructor (AWI) stuff. Now, both your dad and Doug Macdonald were F-4 AWIs and part of my Hall of Fame. I'm particularly interested about that special breed and especially about F-4K AWIs. My Hall of Fame includes:
F-4K Phantom (FG.1) AWI List
John Eyton-Jones
Bill Peppe
Nutty Walters
Taylor Scott
Dave "the Brave" Braithwaite
Tim Gedge (764 AWI)
Sharkey Ward
Doug Macdonald (O)
Nigel Charles????
One day I might improve on my "school-type project" collection of material on fighter tactics and fighter legends from a simple archive to at least an article if not a book. I feel the least qualified seeing as I do that you are, in here, in the company of fine men, eminently more qualified than me in talking about such things and with much more personal stories than me. If I do ever reach that stage of bringing my AWI project to fruition E-J should have some significant part in it!
Here's a link to some of the previously mentioned stuff on your dad at the F-14 Tomcat Association pages:
from reply number 1266 by Hoser Satrapa (also called D-Hose or VR D-Hose he's a complete loonie!!
):
Taylor Scott and D-Hose never crossed vectors on the ground or in the sky..He was in VX-4 a year before D-Hose. As for John Eyton Jones, he was a fine F-4 stick at VX-4 along with his Brit buddy we called "Black Bart" when D-Hose checked in (1974). Got to check my records for Black Bart's real name. Any Royal Navy fighter pilots on exchange duty to US fighter squadrons were the top of the line and of course we sent no grapes to the Limmies. It was the start of the F-14 Opeval and foreign pilots had not been given the green light to fly Turkeys. D-Hose flew similar and dissimilar(A-4s/F-4s) with and against JEJ and BB @ VX-4 and they both were killed in the
Falklands Is..(87) There was another gifted Brit fighter pilot who was a F-14 instructor in VF-101 while D-Hose was there. Pete Legg (bout 1981)
VR D-Hose
The "Hoser Chronicles" and Evolution of Air Combat
another american VX-4 pilot said:
The best memory I have about EJ: He took an F-4 on an ACM go and came back with the paint burned off the tail. Seems he took it to zero, started backing down and had a burner blow out... the raw fuel was torched by the lit burner... voila! New paint job!
[Note: He's actually praising E-J not criticising him as he's referring to an air combat sortie (ACM) and the fact that he got the thing to 0 airspeed I presume indicates a very aggresive pilot who knows what he's doing - some veteran american pilots especially in the '60's were afraid of fighting the F-4 in the slow speed regime of its flight envelope]
This same pilot by the nick of ltfusn that wrote the above, has some surprises for you I guess
(check all the photos in the page below):
The "Hoser Chronicles" and Evolution of Air Combat
He might actually have more from the mid-70's VX-4 time when your dad was there.
Bloody hell you got to love the internet for allowing discussions like this to happen and I told the americans as much in that website too!
I am a crazy Greek with hobbies entirely outside one's natural enviroment (I am not a pilot but rather an engineer), I have no military connections in my family and am not mil myself, yet there's hardly a thing in life that I enjoy more than fighter aircraft, especially naval a/c and fighter pilots especially very good ones such as John Eyton-Jones! In addition, I was four during the Falklands, don't recall a thing about it when it happened, but have the entire bookshelf published about that air war!
To the point: Anna if you are reading this I have a slight angle to provide you with on your dad! I recently found out about the F-14 Tomcat Association and I very quickly saw that some of the absolute legends of fighter aviation ''reside'' there. Your dad had done an exchange tour with the US Navy test and evaluation squadron, VX-4. Now at least a couple of american VX-4 pilots are at the Association's website and I, in discussing fighter pilots, actually asked whether anyone knew your father. American fighter legend Joe ''Hoser'' Satrapa (of the "no kill, like a guns kills" fame) replied and he said that he knew E-J and had fought with and against him as a VX-4 mate. He thought very highly of him as indeed he thought of all the Brit exchange crews who served with the US Navy at the time.
I've been a nuisance to fighter pilots ever since I was 15 or so (I am now 30 and still haven't dropped the habit) but I am positive that Cdr Doug Macdonald of the FAA Officers Association will have some stories about E-J. I'd met Mr Doug at the FAAOA in my youth and pestered him about anything and everything FLY NAVY! particularly Air Warfare Instructor (AWI) stuff. Now, both your dad and Doug Macdonald were F-4 AWIs and part of my Hall of Fame. I'm particularly interested about that special breed and especially about F-4K AWIs. My Hall of Fame includes:
F-4K Phantom (FG.1) AWI List
John Eyton-Jones
Bill Peppe
Nutty Walters
Taylor Scott
Dave "the Brave" Braithwaite
Tim Gedge (764 AWI)
Sharkey Ward
Doug Macdonald (O)
Nigel Charles????
One day I might improve on my "school-type project" collection of material on fighter tactics and fighter legends from a simple archive to at least an article if not a book. I feel the least qualified seeing as I do that you are, in here, in the company of fine men, eminently more qualified than me in talking about such things and with much more personal stories than me. If I do ever reach that stage of bringing my AWI project to fruition E-J should have some significant part in it!
Here's a link to some of the previously mentioned stuff on your dad at the F-14 Tomcat Association pages:
from reply number 1266 by Hoser Satrapa (also called D-Hose or VR D-Hose he's a complete loonie!!
):Taylor Scott and D-Hose never crossed vectors on the ground or in the sky..He was in VX-4 a year before D-Hose. As for John Eyton Jones, he was a fine F-4 stick at VX-4 along with his Brit buddy we called "Black Bart" when D-Hose checked in (1974). Got to check my records for Black Bart's real name. Any Royal Navy fighter pilots on exchange duty to US fighter squadrons were the top of the line and of course we sent no grapes to the Limmies. It was the start of the F-14 Opeval and foreign pilots had not been given the green light to fly Turkeys. D-Hose flew similar and dissimilar(A-4s/F-4s) with and against JEJ and BB @ VX-4 and they both were killed in the
Falklands Is..(87) There was another gifted Brit fighter pilot who was a F-14 instructor in VF-101 while D-Hose was there. Pete Legg (bout 1981)
VR D-Hose
The "Hoser Chronicles" and Evolution of Air Combat
another american VX-4 pilot said:
The best memory I have about EJ: He took an F-4 on an ACM go and came back with the paint burned off the tail. Seems he took it to zero, started backing down and had a burner blow out... the raw fuel was torched by the lit burner... voila! New paint job!
[Note: He's actually praising E-J not criticising him as he's referring to an air combat sortie (ACM) and the fact that he got the thing to 0 airspeed I presume indicates a very aggresive pilot who knows what he's doing - some veteran american pilots especially in the '60's were afraid of fighting the F-4 in the slow speed regime of its flight envelope]
This same pilot by the nick of ltfusn that wrote the above, has some surprises for you I guess
(check all the photos in the page below):The "Hoser Chronicles" and Evolution of Air Combat
He might actually have more from the mid-70's VX-4 time when your dad was there.
Bloody hell you got to love the internet for allowing discussions like this to happen and I told the americans as much in that website too!