AUSTRALIA TO INDIA FLIGHTS

Originally known as the DH.110 the aircraft was designed for both the RAF and Fleet Air Arm (FAA) as an all-weather, missile-armed, high-speed jet fighter. However, the RAF chose the Gloster Javelin, a rival to the DH.110, after deciding the Javelin was a cheaper and simpler aircraft. Despite this, de Havilland continued with the project, and by the late 1950s, the Royal Navy had placed an order and the aircraft entered service with the FAA. The prototype first flew on 26 September 1951 piloted by John Cunningham. On 6 September 1952, at the Farnborough Air Show, following a demonstration of the aircraft's ability to break the sound barrier, it disintegrated, killing 31 people, including the aircraft's two crew: test pilot and record breaker John Derry and Tony Richards. The failure was later traced to faulty design of the end sections of the main spar. This incident led to a major restructuring of the safety regulations for air shows in the UK, and since this accident no member of the public has died as a result of an air show accident in the UK. In 1955, a modified DH.110 was produced, a semi-navalised variant including change of leading edge profile and strengthening of wing (no folding wings), as a prototype for the production version, making its first flight that year. In 1956 it made its first arrested deck landing aboard HMS Ark Royal. In 1957, the first true Sea Vixen, the Sea Vixen FAW.20 (fighter all-weather), flew. It was later redesignated the FAW.1. In July 1959, the first of over 100 FAW.1s entered service. The aircraft had a twin-boom tail, as used on the earlier de Havilland Sea Vampire and Sea Venom. The Sea Vixen became the first British aircraft to be solely armed with missiles, rockets and bombs. The FAW.1 was armed with four de Havilland Firestreak AAMs, two Microcell unguided 51mm rocket packs and could carry four 500lb or two 1,000lb bombs. It had a maximum speed of 690 mph and a range of 600 miles. The pilot's canopy is offset to the left-hand side. The navigator was housed to the right, completely within the fuselage, gaining access through a flush-fitting top hatch into his space (colloquially known as the "coal hole") which had a small window. The FAW.2 was the successor to the FAW.1 and included many improvements. As well as Firestreak missiles, it could carry the Red Top AAM, four SNEB rocket pods and the air-to-ground Bullpup missile. An enlarged tail boom allowed for additional fuel tanks and there was an improved escape system along with additional room for ECM (electronic countermeasures - jamming) equipment. However, the aerodynamic changes meant it could no longer carry the 1,000lb bomb. The Sea Vixen FAW.2 first flew in 1962 and entered service with front-line squadrons in 1964, with 29 being built and a further 67 FAW.1s being upgraded to FAW.2 standard. In 1972, the career of the FAW.2 came to an end, with the McDonnell Douglas Phantom replacing it aboard Ark Royal, the sole surviving fixed-wing carrier. A Sea Vixen with the UK civil registration of G-CVIX, owned by De Havilland Aviation is the only remaining flying example. Many others, including this example in the Imperial War Museum's collection at RAF Duxford in Cambridgeshire are in good condition but do not fly. There are hopes that XS576 may be fully restored at some point in the future.

Yeah, I know we've already talked about this. But I hate all this snow combined with the below zero temps. My eyes look cold and tired.

SewSugarySweet tagged me, so apparently I have to tell strangers 16 random things about myself. This reminds me of myspace from 5 years ago. Don't worry! I won't tag you.

16 things:

1. I joined flickr in the summer of 2005 to share photos with people while I was living in the UK between Sept. 2004-Dec. 2005. I also posted some on yahoo. Then yahoo bought flickr and everything came together.

2. I was a photography major for a very short time. Pre-digital days. I sucked at rolling undeveloped film and printing correctly. Old-fashioned ways.

3. I have never seen a single Stars Wars movie.

4. I noticed a lot of other people saying things like "I am not very social." or "I am shy." I'd probably say the same thing.

5. Along with my loner status, I also hate phones. All this technology with cell phones drives me nuts because now more and more people are having meaningless and pointless conversations. Don't call me...I'd rather meet up.

6. I prefer non-fiction and that's not just books. That also goes for television and film.

7. I have four useless pieces of paper. So far everyone agrees that they are useless. For anyone who has gone to University, well, you know what I am talking about.

8. Anti-Manifest Destiny. I have never been out West.

9. I think my love of old houses has to do with the fact that I have never lived in a house. Flats, apartments, condos...

10. Jeremy Piven pushed me at the Blind Faith Cafe in Evanston. Rude!

11. The only time I went to NYC was when my friend and I took advantage of cheap flights after September 11th. I know that's wrong but I am very poor. It was so soon that the city was still smoking and we could only get within 3 or 4 blocks of the site. My biggest regret was not taking any photos. Great images of memorials, firehouses, etc.

12. Every time I play Trivial Pursuit (even against 20 other people) I am always on the winning team. People commend me for my superior knowledge of useless information.

13. I have a cow tattoo.

14. I always eat my vegetables.

15. I won the spelling bee at my elementary school. I also have two bowling trophies from high school. One day I hope to add an academy award to my shelf. Sarcasm!

16. For my 16th birthday, my friends and I went downtown to play laser tag at North Pier Terminal (before Navy Pier was cool) and to eat dinner at Ed Debevic's.