BOURNEMOUTH Aviation Museum is fundraising to bring a Royal Navy fighter jet ‘back home’ and to inspire the next generation.
In May 2017 the only remaining Sea Vixen, named ‘Foxy Lady’, flew for the last time after a landing gear failure at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Somerset.
Despite the plane landing safely, the speed and force of the ordeal left it with cracks in both tail booms, a badly damaged gearbox and warped bulkheads in the engine.
The plane, which flew for over a decade at air shows, underwent three years of restoration work so it could soar again, however, Navy Wings, an aviation history charity, said it was still short of £2m.
Sea Vixens were used in Royal Navy carrier operations in the 1960s, and ‘Foxy Lady’ served with 899 Naval Air Squadron from 1963 until 1971.
The plane was then donated to the collection of vintage naval aircraft at Yeovilton in 2014 before its accident in 2017.
After being offered for disposal, Bournemouth Aviation Museum is now fundraising to transport ‘Foxy Lady’ back home for display.
A crowdfunder named ‘PROJECT CVIX – BACK TO BASE’, has been launched to raise the £40,000 needed for the move.
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Due to the size and complexities of the aircraft, the museum says that ‘great care’ must be taken to transport it by road.
Permissions have been granted for transportation and surveys and escorts have been arranged to bring ‘Foxy Lady’ home.
The museum also wants to buy a portable hangar to shelter the plane and help preserve the aircraft.
A spokesperson for Bournemouth Aviation Museum (BAM) said: “When she arrives at BAM, The Sea Vixen will be used to inspire and educate the next generation of aviation pilots, engineers, and designers.
“To understand the complexities of the aircraft & tell the story of her journey from design at DeHavilland, service with the Navy, her conversion to drone status at Tarrant Rushton and restoration to flight from drone status over 10 years ago.
“This is a project that will require more volunteers and ideally involve the businesses at the airport to share their experience and knowledge to help with her preservation.”
Donations can be made through the crowdfunder page or cash can be donated at the museum on Merriton Lane in Christchurch.
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