Sea Vixen down
Discussion
Navy Wings just confirmed that structural damage is much worse than thought.
They are looking for a title sponsor to help with costs (£2-3M now).
Could well be the end
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/charity-app...
They are looking for a title sponsor to help with costs (£2-3M now).
Could well be the end
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/charity-app...
BrettMRC said:
Navy Wings just confirmed that structural damage is much worse than thought.
They are looking for a title sponsor to help with costs (£2-3M now).
Could well be the end
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/charity-app...
Confirms what some of us thought from day 1 - sadly.They are looking for a title sponsor to help with costs (£2-3M now).
Could well be the end
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/charity-app...
I too think this will sadly be the end (especially in a post Shoreham world in respect of vintage jet ops in the UK)
I agree, as with any restoration, the costs will very likely exceed £2-3 million and take considerably longer as more damage may be discovered.
I can't see any company wanting to sponsor a jet in this post Shoreham world. It is surely (and sadly) the end of the road for this aircraft's flying life now
I can't see any company wanting to sponsor a jet in this post Shoreham world. It is surely (and sadly) the end of the road for this aircraft's flying life now
BrettMRC said:
Bit odd that both systems failed - be interesting to see what the outcome of that investigation shows in the end.
2 years+.... I suspect it will fly again assuming the money is forthcoming.
Bumping this thread to link to the AAIB investigation summary...2 years+.... I suspect it will fly again assuming the money is forthcoming.
https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation...
...embedded within which is a link to download the full report.
AAIB summary said:
The landing gear failed to lower because of a mechanical break-up within both the normal and standby hydraulic systems pumps. The break-up was caused by seizure of the pistons within the hydraulic pumps, probably due to the presence of a contaminant. Forensic work is continuing to identify the contaminant and its source.
Thought I'd link the most recent update from Navy Wings:
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/oily-rag-ne...
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/oily-rag-ne...
BrettMRC said:
Thought I'd link the most recent update from Navy Wings:
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/oily-rag-ne...
Thanks https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/oily-rag-ne...
Quick bump for the most recent status update:
https://navywings.org.uk/sea-vixen-update-4/
Work continues slowly, but the general vibe seems positive - more regular updates are available from the ground team on facebook.
https://navywings.org.uk/sea-vixen-update-4/
Work continues slowly, but the general vibe seems positive - more regular updates are available from the ground team on facebook.
BrettMRC said:
Quick bump for the most recent status update:
https://navywings.org.uk/sea-vixen-update-4/
Work continues slowly, but the general vibe seems positive - more regular updates are available from the ground team on facebook.
Crumbs!https://navywings.org.uk/sea-vixen-update-4/
Work continues slowly, but the general vibe seems positive - more regular updates are available from the ground team on facebook.
They're not going to get much sensible work done with Spike Milligan on the rivet gun!
♫ There's a song that I recall, My mother sang to me. She sang it as she tucked me in, When I was ninety-three. Ying tong ying tong ying tong... ♫
Released today from Navy Wings:
For three years the Charity has been exploring all avenues to raise the funds required to return the Sea Vixen to flight following her wheels up landing in 2017. This has included a dedicated Sea Vixen appeal in 2018 and a wide-ranging search for major donors who could fund the repairs. Meanwhile, the Charity has been investing in the Sea Vixen, keeping her in a state of suspended maintenance.
We have now reached the stage where we will need to spend capital funds on the aircraft. This is a major decision for the charity and given that we do not have a full funding package in place to complete the work, Charity Trustees have decided that this is not a sensible course of action. This is especially true at this critical time as we manage the important work of transitioning the Swordfish, Sea Fury FB11, Sea Hawk and the Chipmunk to the charity and on to the civilian register.
However, we are acutely aware that the Sea Vixen means a great deal to a great many people and we will still want to make every effort to secure her flying future. Therefore, the Charity’s Trustees have tasked our CEO to engage with a specialist high net worth fundraising company to explore the possibility of generating a significant donation(s) to allow us to complete the necessary work.
The time is approaching when we have to find a clear way ahead. Therefore, a final decision on the future of the Sea Vixen will be taken in the summer, but in the meantime, we will be cutting back on some of the work we do on her as everything that can be done without further investment, has been done.
As always, we will keep our supporters and followers updated as soon as we are able to.
For three years the Charity has been exploring all avenues to raise the funds required to return the Sea Vixen to flight following her wheels up landing in 2017. This has included a dedicated Sea Vixen appeal in 2018 and a wide-ranging search for major donors who could fund the repairs. Meanwhile, the Charity has been investing in the Sea Vixen, keeping her in a state of suspended maintenance.
We have now reached the stage where we will need to spend capital funds on the aircraft. This is a major decision for the charity and given that we do not have a full funding package in place to complete the work, Charity Trustees have decided that this is not a sensible course of action. This is especially true at this critical time as we manage the important work of transitioning the Swordfish, Sea Fury FB11, Sea Hawk and the Chipmunk to the charity and on to the civilian register.
However, we are acutely aware that the Sea Vixen means a great deal to a great many people and we will still want to make every effort to secure her flying future. Therefore, the Charity’s Trustees have tasked our CEO to engage with a specialist high net worth fundraising company to explore the possibility of generating a significant donation(s) to allow us to complete the necessary work.
The time is approaching when we have to find a clear way ahead. Therefore, a final decision on the future of the Sea Vixen will be taken in the summer, but in the meantime, we will be cutting back on some of the work we do on her as everything that can be done without further investment, has been done.
As always, we will keep our supporters and followers updated as soon as we are able to.
Not nice to finally see this in writing, but sadly I was never really expecting to see the old girl in the air again, due to the cost of repairing it.
This is the sort of thing that decades ago would have been undertaken by BAe costed against one of their training programmes in one of the many facilities they had back then......but those days are long gone as well.
This is the sort of thing that decades ago would have been undertaken by BAe costed against one of their training programmes in one of the many facilities they had back then......but those days are long gone as well.
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