Sea Vixen down

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Discussion

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Saturday 27th May 2017
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I think I've just seen the Sea Vixen go in at Yeovilton wheels up....

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Saturday 27th May 2017
quotequote all
Confirmed, just gone from home to the crash gate and its down on the runway. Bits and pieces around but doesnt look too badly damaged.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Saturday 27th May 2017
quotequote all
Looks like the aux tanks took the brunt of it, but they didn't last long - resting on airframe when it came to a halt.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Saturday 27th May 2017
quotequote all
Who knows? There was quite a lot of fundraising over the winter to support the rebuild after the flap issue.

I hope they get her up again - love seeing her flying about, she only did her DA on thursday and was looking good for the season.

Sadly, when you start stripping and rebuilding anything old it usually doesn't go smoothly.

It was a textbook landing though.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Sunday 28th May 2017
quotequote all
Nice, typically balanced Daily Mail report.... frown

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4549964/La...

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Sunday 28th May 2017
quotequote all
It was the only flying example, been to Duxford twice this week - so probably.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Thursday 1st June 2017
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Wonder how long it will be before there is word one way or the other? frown

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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Good news.

Is there anything that would prevent a properly certified remanufactured gearbox being used? (Must be a need for rare/unique parts to be serviced and repaired within the vintage aircraft industry?)

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
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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.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
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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 frown

https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/charity-app...

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Monday 9th April 2018
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Thanks for posting that - I had seen the summary on my mobile but forget to share!


It's been too quiet around here without her frown

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Monday 9th April 2018
quotequote all
Yertis said:
Ginnetta???
Sea Vixen..... boxedin

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Monday 10th September 2018
quotequote all
Thought I'd link the most recent update from Navy Wings:

https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/oily-rag-ne...


BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Monday 9th December 2019
quotequote all
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.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Wednesday 4th March 2020
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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.

BrettMRC

Original Poster:

4,094 posts

160 months

Wednesday 4th March 2020
quotequote all
andy97 said:
How much money do Navy Wings actually need to get the Sea Vixen airworthy again?
(Not that i have any!)
Probably £3-5Million....