The Fleet Air Arm in the 1960s
Links
There are many websites dedicated to the subject of aviation history and a number of good ones relevant to the above period have caught my attention during my research. The list below represents a few of my favourites. Each of these in turn will have links to other very good sites not included here.
Damien Burke's Thunders and Lightnings website is probably the internet's best website dedicated to post-war British military aircraft. It contains extensive details about the history of fourteen types including the Sea Vixen, Buccaneer, Hunter, Gannet and Phantom. Also included are full details of surviving examples and archive photographs. Highly Recommended.
Fleet Air Arm Memories - Remembering the Fleet Air Arm in the 1960s has been created by a former Petty Officer who served in the Fleet Air Arm between 1961 and 1968. It features many excellent photographs of Sea Vixens, Buccaneers and Gannets in front line service including a large number taken on HMS Victorious and HMS Eagle.
Seavixen.org is a website dedicated solely to the Sea Vixen and in tribute to the aircrew who flew in this impressive type. It has been set up by ex Vixen pilot Martyn H. Dean. The site is still being developed but already contains a large number of impressive photographs and articles.
Argonet.co.uk has been established up by Lionel Smith who served in Fleet Air Arm during the 1960s and 1970s. Included are several photographs taken on HMS Ark Royal as well as a number taken at the excellent 'Sea Vixen 50' event on 29th September 2001.
David Axford's axfordsabode.org.uk contains copies of several Commission Books from the1960s that can be downloaded. This includes HMS Victorious' eventful 1963/64 commission. Please note that you will need to have Adobe Acrobat software installed on your PC to read the downloads.
Royal Naval Aircraft Artificers - Classes of '49 contains many excellent photographs of aircraft and aircraft carriers taken during the 1950s and 60s.
The Fly Navy Hertiage Trust based at RNAS Yeovilton are the proud owners of the last airworthy Sea Vixen (FAW2 XP924) and a very fine job they do to.
The FRADU Hunters website is dedicated to the Hawker Hunters used by the Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Unit (FRADU) at RNAS Yeovilton. Many of the Hunters detailed were previously used by 738, 759 and 764 Squadrons.
Please e-mail me with details of any other websites that you feel are worthy of inclusion here.
Last updated: 25th November 2007