de Havilland Sea Vixen

history

The de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen is a twin boom, twin-engined 1950s–1960s British two-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm designed by de Havilland at Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Developed from an earlier first generation jet fighter, the Sea Vixen was a capable carrier-based fleet defence fighter that served into the 1970s. Initially produced by de Havilland it was later known as the Hawker Siddeley Sea Vixen after de Havilland became a part of the Hawker Siddeley Group in 1960. All 140 production Sea Vixens were manufactured and first flown from Christchurch, Dorset.

The Sea Vixen FAW.2 was the successor to the FAW.1 and included many improvements. As well as Firestreak missiles, it could carry the Red Top AAM, four SNEB rocket pods and the air-to-ground Bullpup missile. An enlarged tail boom allowed for additional fuel tanks in the "pinion" extensions above and before the wing leading edge, and there was an improved escape system along with additional room for more electronic counter-measures equipment.

History adapted from Wikipedia.

XS590

The Museum's Sea Vixen on display is FAW2 XS590, which served with 899 Squadron at the time of its retirement.