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Aviation History
1963
1963 - 0128.PDF
116 FLIGHT International, 24 January 1963 FIERCER VIXEN THESE photographs are the first to be released for publication showing the de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 two-seat all-weather fighter for the Royal Navy. Compared with the FAW.l, which equips the three Vixen squadrons currently in commission, it differs externally chiefly in having tail booms of deeper section which project well forward of the wings; and closer inspection reveals that the four guided weapons which form its primary arma ment are not Firestreaks but Red Tops. This new infra-red homing missile follows a collision course to its target and can be fired from any quarter against practically any winged target in the world with a very high probability of effecting a successful interception. The four drill rounds on the aircraft illustrated differ in detail from the numerous Red Tops seen at the 1962 SBAC Show. To meet the requirements of the new missile the internal equipment of the new Vixen has been modified, and the size of the forward boom projec tions also suggests a substantial increase in internal fuel capacity. A number of these aircraft are in production at Chester, and the flight development programme for both aircraft and weapon is being carried out from Hatfield. Powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets, the FAW.2 has a performance at least as good as that of its predecessor. It will remain the standard British fleet- defence aircraft until the proposed introduction of a two-seat naval version of the Hawker P.l 154 some time after 1966. All Vixens can also carry a variety of attack loads, including Bullpup missiles.
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