HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

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Timc
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HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by Timc »

Hopefully, this will be of interest to the Fleet Air Arm aficionados out there!

These photos were taken back in 1967 by the Ship's Photographic Team.

My friend Barry came by this album when his Cousin, Grenville Burgess otherwise known as "Budgie" or "Budge" served on the Eagle during this time as a Flight Engineer. Sadly, Grenville passed away in 2013.

Barry has kindly allowed me to share these photos. Some of them maybe familiar as these were available for purchase by the Ship's Company but well worth a second viewing in my opinion!

This thread will hopefully serve as a tribute to Grenville and all his FAA/RN mates!

Here's the first batch of six photos plus the cover of the album, feel free to correct or add any additional information.

More to follow in the next few days and weeks if there's enough interest?!

Cheers
Tim

1.
ImageHMS Eagle-2 by Timc63, on Flickr

2. Grenville standing in the back row, third from left.

ImageHMS Eagle by Timc63, on Flickr

3. Aerial view of HMS Eagle.

ImageHMS Eagle (2) by Timc63, on Flickr

4. Entering "The Cape" 8th September 1967.

ImageHMS Eagle-6 by Timc63, on Flickr

5.
ImageHMS Eagle-3 by Timc63, on Flickr

6. Fairey Gannet AEW3 of 849D Flight. Affectionately known as "The Postman" on the Eagle.

ImageHMS Eagle-5 by Timc63, on Flickr

7. 899 Sqn Sea Vixen. On occasions a "Show of Force" would be put on for visiting VIP's!

ImageHMS Eagle-4 by Timc63, on Flickr

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Pringles
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Pringles »

Fantastic! Do you have any more?
If life gives you melons then you're probably dyslexic

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Daz
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Daz »

Superb set! Just one thing the Gannet is a COD.4
Proud Grandson of an Avro Shackleton "boy"

Timc
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Timc »

Thanks for the correction Daz, think I'm right in saying that the Eagle had a compliment of four AEW3's and one COD.4?

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Daz
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Daz »

You're most welcome. And I believe so!
Proud Grandson of an Avro Shackleton "boy"

Timc
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Timc »

Here's a few more from 1967!

8.
ImageHMS Eagle-5-2 by Timc63, on Flickr

9.
ImageHMS Eagle-4-2 by Timc63, on Flickr

10.
ImageHMS Eagle-7 by Timc63, on Flickr

11.
ImageHMS Eagle-2-2 by Timc63, on Flickr

12.
ImageHMS Eagle-3-2 by Timc63, on Flickr

foxfour
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by foxfour »

Thanks for sharing that fantastic collection of photos.

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Pringles
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Pringles »

Seconded, not sure I've ever seen a shot of a Sea Vixen firing!
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nacl1
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by nacl1 »

Brilliant set of pictures, and a reminder of the Royal Navy's former aviation glory. Thanks for posting.

On a similar note, I recently had the opportunity to scan a copy of the cruise album for HMS Victorious's 1966-67 commission which took the ship to the Far East via the Suez Canal, and onward to Australia. This was the cruise that resulted in a group of the Ships Company discovering a Firefly in Australia and seeking the Captain's permission to bring it back to the UK. Thinking that they meant a Firefly dinghy, they were given permission, but in fact they had discovered a Fairey Firefly fighter aircraft. Luckily permission was still given, and the result was that WB271flew with the RN Historic Flight for a number of years until its untimely crash.

Of further interest in the cruise album is a set of pictures of one of the more unlikely catapult launches. Regrettably the Ford Prefect failed to get airborne...

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ipso
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by ipso »

Fantastic. Thanks for posting. :clap:

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Andy63
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Andy63 »

Absolutely fabulous photos. What an irresistible combination, Buccs and Vixens, thanks for posting :clap:

silver fox
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by silver fox »

Just to prove there are still superb pics out there, which many are certainly not familiar with, thank you for sharing.

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Red Dragon
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Red Dragon »

:clap: A fantastic set! :clap: Of a time when we had a proper Fleet Air Arm, My favourite has to be the final one of the first set with the Sea Vixen "photobombing" the its own show of force display :rock:

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Pablo
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Pablo »

Cor - these are something! Great to see.

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st24
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by st24 »

They're all fabulous but the fluffy Vixen is something else. :drool:
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Timc
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission

Post by Timc »

Just a few more from the collection.

13.
ImageHMS Eagle-5 by Timc63, on Flickr

14. Gannet AEW3
ImageHMS Eagle by Timc63, on Flickr

15.
ImageHMS Eagle-2 by Timc63, on Flickr

16.
ImageHMS Eagle-3 by Timc63, on Flickr

17.
ImageHMS Eagle-4 by Timc63, on Flickr

18...And for some reason my favourite shot!
ImageHMS Eagle-6 by Timc63, on Flickr

County1884
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by County1884 »

Absolutely fantastic, thanks very much :smile:

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Tommy
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by Tommy »

Phwoar!

Loving all of this stuff, mate. Keep 'em coming! :love: :love:

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Red Dragon
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by Red Dragon »

Wonderful stuff :yahoo:

King Cobra
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by King Cobra »

Top stuff.

Timc
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by Timc »

Thanks for all the kind comments guys, I'm sure Barry will be absolutely delighted with the positive feedback!

I did suspect these were a little bit special when I first viewed them! :smile:

Haven't corresponded with Barry in the last few days but hopefully more to follow maybe?!

Cheers
Tim

Niallxg
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by Niallxg »

They are excellent. Thank you for sharing.

Shot 12 is stunning.

Niall

FarnboroJohn
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by FarnboroJohn »

So which carrier is being overflown in No. 10? Its not Eagle, there's no angled deck and the mast is in front of the funnel. Could it be Bulwark or Hermes?

John

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AlexC
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by AlexC »

FarnboroJohn wrote:So which carrier is being overflown in No. 10?John


Just what I was wondering.

I saw Sea Vixens giving a buddy refueling demo at several airshows in the late 60's, so I've been lucky enough to see them in flight!
Pte. Aubrey Gerald Harmer, R. Suss. R. (att. to the Sherwood Foresters) KIA 26/9/1917 Polygon Wood, aged 19, NKG. RIP

Vixen Maintainer
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Re: HMS Eagle 1967 Commission (Updated 03/02/15)

Post by Vixen Maintainer »

Great pictures I served with 899 70-72 in Eagle.

Some photo details for those posted.
No8 Launching the 849D Flight AEW Gannets with 820 NAS as SAR helicopter
No9/11 25th November At anchor off Aden before final withdrawal Khormaksar air base - 899 Sea Vixen was the last British aircraft to depart 29th carrying the base flag and Union Jack
No10 flypast above HMS Albion Aden withdrawal
No12 Aden Fire Power Demo (I have a 3, x 2, photo of this in my hallway)
No13/17 800NAS Buccaneer Mk2
No15 899 NAS sea Vixen FAW Mk2
No16 820 NAS Wessex HAS Mk1

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