de Havilland Sea Vixen - Survivor XJ476

History Memories Survivors Profiles Gallery Walkaround Models Links, References & Credits

FAW.1 XJ476 - Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire

Sea Vixen FAW.1 XJ476 at Old Sarum, 19th August 2018; Damien Burke

First flown on 4th November 1957, XJ476 spent most of her career as a trials aircraft, clearing the Red Top and Martel missiles into service among other jobs. She had a landing accident at Boscombe Down in September 1973, with harsh braking causing both mainwheel tyres to burst and damage the wings. The decision was taken not to repair her and she was stripped for spares and relegated to the Boscombe fire section. Eventually the nose was removed and given to No.424 ATC Sqn, Southampton who displayed it at the Solent Sky museum. She is now on loan to BDAC at Old Sarum. Formerly used as a sit-in exhibit, she has had a few instruments removed and some of the perspex from the canopy was gone too but otherwise is in very good condition considering the amount of [ab]use she's had over the years. Ex-RAF man overheard talking to his wife about the Sea Vixen - 'You can tell it's a naval aircraft, it looks a shambles. All naval aircraft do!'.

Information on this page current as of 14/06/2020, last updated by Damien

Find other photos of XJ476 on the following sites:

Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net

Gordon Charles Pugh from Truro	Posted at 10:01pm on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024
Looking through my late father’s logbook he first flew XJ476 on July 30th 1958 from Boscombe and again during August and September,Feb59again that seems to be the last time all mainly on radar trials it seems
George Caple from Hitchin UK	Posted at 12:19pm on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020
In 1966 I became responsible for the testing of the Martel Installation, from first Space Gyro controlled level flight trials onward. Later trials were with the data Link Pod with the missiles usually going through the target bullseye, but the later ones were possibly on a second vixen. I was given this task as I had detailed knowledge from my design work on the system, as an Engineer in the Aircraft Systems Group of HSD Hatfield.
Frederick Ellis from Hove, Sussex	Posted at 8:45pm on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
I worked on this aircraft at de Havillands factory in Christchurch. It was the third production machine after XJ474 & XJ475. It had a repair on the inside of the cockpit area because somebody drileed too many holes. I was a DH Apprentice at the time. Later I worked as a draughtsman at hatfield and designed the new generator panel in the wing which was incorporated in the Mk 2. I was at Farnborough when the 1st prototype crashed. The engines went right over us. It was very scary and tragic. John Derry's ... read more »read more »
Rob Betts from Kent	Posted at 12:34pm on Friday, November 11th, 2011
I worked on XJ476 on C squadron Boscome Down 1970/71 as a Naval Air Mechanic AE. At that time it was doing the Martel trials.Good to see that at least part of it still survives.
Rob Hames from Salisbury	Posted at 4:54pm on Monday, August 8th, 2011
XJ476 has, since your photo was taken, had it's roundels and warning symbols painted on. It has also a kindly donated, brand new (unused) canopy fitted. So not a 'shambles' as somebody mentioned! Awaiting our move to Old Sarum.

Add Comment
Name:
Email:
Location:
Comments: