DE HAVILLAND SEA VIXEN F.A.W. MK 2 XJ607
MSN 110074
(AA000034)

(Cockpit section only)

 

 

QAM thanks David Bussey for funding the acquisition of this exhibit.

 
    Built at Christchurch under contract 6/ACFT/10865/CB.5(b)
22NOV60
   First flown at Hurn.
29NOV60
   Delivered to DH Hatfield. Subsequently returned to Hurn.
15DEC60
   Flown to DH Hatfield.
10JAN61
   Delivered to the Abbotsinch Air Holding Unit using call-sign "726".
27FEB61
   To Yeovilton using call-sign "726". Joined 893 Sqn same day coded "457".
08JAN62
   Nose struck the tail of XN656 during taxying aboard HMS Centaur.
29JAN62
   Left at RNAHU Tengah (Singapore) for collection by 890 Sqn aboard HMS Ark Royal.
02MAY62
   Collected by 890 Sqn on HMS Ark Royal and later coded "243".
17JUN62
   Diverted to USAF base Naha following a fuel transfer problem.
06MAR63
   Following a heavy landing during a night GCA the port oleo broke off and injured a seaman.
16MAR63
   To the Yeovilton AHU.
22MAR63
   To Mobile Aircraft Repair Transport and Salvage Unit (MARTSU) for repairs.
23SEP63
   Taken on charge by 899 Sqn at yeovilton and coded "487" (replacing XJ580).
NOV63
   Starboard engine blew up.
28FEB64
   Trucked from Birkenhead Docks to DH Chester for Cat 4 repairs and conversion to FAW Mk 2.
(Some sources state 28APR64).
24MAY65
   First flight after conversion to FAW Mk 2.
22JUN65
   To Brawdy NASU.
13JAN66
   Issued to 893 Sqn on HMS Victorious and later coded "253".
22FEB66
   Transferred to 892 Sqn at Yeovilton and later coded "307".
67
   Served with 892 Sqn on HMS Hermes into the summer of 68. Coded "307".
19FEB68
   Issued to RNAY Belfast for updates.
22JUL69
   Issued to the Brawdy NASU until at least DEC69.
MAY70
   With 766 Sqn at Yeovilton by this date coded "715".
10DEC70
   To 890 Sqn at Yeovilton and later coded "701".
03AUG71
   Delivered to the Engineering Flight RAF Cranwell until at least MAY73.
07SEP71
   Allocated Ground Instructional Airframe serial 8171M (also quoted as 8178M).
NOV80
   Noted with No 2 School of Technical Training, Cosford coded "O".
16JUN84
   Displayed at Cosford Air Day. On charge to No 2 School of Technical Training (SOTT) RAF Cosford as Instructional airframe 8178M.
12AUG84
   Photographed at Cosford.
07MAY87
   Tender No F 6t(Air)/10/87-88/43 issued for four Sea Vixens located at RAF Cosford. Condition of XJ607 is described as "poor".
03JUN87
   Available for viewing by possible purchasers (also on 04JUN).
JUL87
   Still at Cosford.
15OCT87
   To Southampton Airport for restoration.
05DEC90
   Moved to RAF Dunsfold for further restoration.
MAR96
   Broken up.
     
    [The preceding history was extracted from "The British Roundel" by John Tipp.]
     
18NOV96
   Nose section and other components purchased from owner Mr  John Hallett by QAM.
14JAN97
   Collected from BAe Dunsfold by Bestworld Packing Ltd and transported to their premises at Feltham to be containerised for shipping to Australia.
02MAY97
   Arrived at Caloundra.  
13DEC07
   The right tail boom of XJ607 was unearthed by workmen laying a drain on a farm near Billingshurst, England.

 

THE XJ607 (884 QFQ) TRAVEL DIARY

 



DATE EVENT DISTANCE TIME ON ROAD
6-7 SEP 97 Amphibia air and boat show
Sunshine Coast Airport		 72km 1.2 hours
8-9 SEP 01 Caboolture Air Spectacular
Caboolture Aerodrome		 90km 1.4 hours
10-17 FEB 03 Australian International Airshow (trucked)
Avalon Airport, Victoria		 3800km 60.0 hours
5-7 SEP 03 Archerfield Airshow
Archerfield Airport		 242km 3.8 hours
2-3 OCT 04 RAAF Airshow
Amberley Air Base		 350km 5.5 hours
14-21 MAR 05 Australian International Airshow (trucked)
Avalon Airport, Victoria		 3800km 60.0 hours
2-4 SEP05 Aviation Careers Expo
Brisbane City Hall		 180km 2.8 hours
21 JAN 06 Visitor Information Centre
Caloundra West		 5km 0.1 hours
25 JUN 06 Kawana Waters Shoppingtown
Kawana Waters		 26km 0.5 hours
02 SEP 06 Aviation Careers Expo
Brisbane City Hall		 180km 2.8 hours
19-29 MAR 07 Australian International Airshow (towed)
Avalon Airport, Victoria		 3800km 60.0 hours
3-5 AUG 07 Wide Bay International Airshow
Bundaberg Airport		 594km 9.5 hours
18 AUG 07 Aviation Careers Expo
South Bank Piazza, Brisbane		 190km 3.0 hours
27 OCT 07 Kids Expo
Ginger Factory, Yandina		 73km 1.2 hours
01 JUN 08 Heritage Fair
Mt Gravatt Showground, Brisbane		 247km 3.9 hours
26 JUL 08 Aviation Careers Expo
Brisbane Convention Centre		 199km 3.1 hours
4-5 OCT 08 RAAF Airshow
Amberley Air Base		 350km 3.9 hours
26 JAN 09 Aussie World Australia Day
Palmwood 		22km 0.4 hours
28-30 AUG 09 QVAG Festival of Flight
Watts Bridge Airfield		 285km 4.5 hours
2-4 OCT 09 Fly-In Museum of Australian Army Flying
Oakey Army Aviation Base		 545km 8.5 hours

You get the idea. Too many places to mention. She's been everywhere!

 

Compiled by Ron Cuskelly

 



 

 

ISSUE
DATE
REMARKS
8
10JUL14
 Added a second image of the aircraft at RAF Cosford in 1985. Thanks to Mark Taylor.
7
01JUL14
 Added an image of the aircraft at RAF Cosford in 1985. Thanks to Mark Taylor.
6
18JUN14
 Added an image of the aircraft in May 1982.
5
04SEP13
 Added an image after a repaint.
4
29OCT09
 Added the Travel Diary.
3
12OCT09
 Added an image of the aircraft at Cosford in 1984. Thanks to Fergal Goodman.
2
31DEC07
 Added a report on the discovery of the right tail boom buried on a farm in England.
1
02JAN02
 Original issue.