I must agree with wibble about the nice colour scheme, what always makes me laugh is the way the cockpit isnt in the middle..strange, but it works ;) Nice filming mate, love the loop, very smoothly followed 5*
There is a really good book about the early days of british jet aviation called Empire of the Clouds. its a really good read and full of information about the test pilots like Bill Waterton and what they went through testing new jets, many of them died as a lot of the jets were unsafe but the indusrty didnt seem to care they just wanted to get their order books full from the MOD..
Such a pity the development of this beautiful aircraft was blighted by a crash of the prototype DH 110 in 1950 at the Farnborough Airshow which killed 11 and the test pilot John Derry when one engine "fell out" in a Mach 1 dive and crahed into the crowd. It took another 9 years before the Sea Vixen entered service with the Fleet Air Arm.
She still had her hard points on. I'm shocked the ministry allowed them to be left on. The US did not like the idea that a F-86 coming back to the states and wanted it cut up at the wing roots and in two, demilling it. The pols got involved and forced the issue, allow the F-86 to come back intact and it flies to this day.
Can anyone please tell me? What happened to Brian? Has he retired? I met him once at Bournemouth Airport, just after the Vixen came into land. Really nice chap. Can anyone help?
@eskimosailor What a trip. Can see it fairly well at about 0:58 . Doesn't seem like a very good place to 'observe'. Anyway, I agree with everyone else: beautiful jet.