Airspeed and De Haviland Production at Christchurch
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AIRSPEED PRODUCTION AT CHRISTCHURCH
If you think you have any information that may add to that below
or any corrections , then please contact me.
AS51 HORSA I #
Prototypes DG604 and DG609 were brought to Christchurch(from Salisbury Hall)and assembled for their
first flights at the hands of George Errington on 15-02-42 and 12-04-42 respectively.
HS101 to HS150(Contract Acft/1664)Delivered between Jul 42 and Nov 42 HS110/119/138/139/147 to USA
HS101 f/f at Christchurch late July 1942 by George Errington.
LH942 to LH976(Contract Acft/1689)
LJ101 to LJ144(Contract Acft/1689)
LJ157 to LJ193(Contract Acft/1689)
LJ206 to LJ241(Contract Acft/1689)
LJ256 to LJ291(Contract Acft/1689) LJ271 converted to MkII
LJ303 to LJ344(Contract Acft/1689)
PF690 to PF725(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Nov 43 and Apr 44
PF739 to PF770(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Nov 43 and Apr 44
PF786 to PF817(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Nov 43 and Apr 44
RJ111 to RJ143(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Apr 44 and Jun 44
RJ150 to RJ196(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Apr 44 and Jun 44
RJ212 to RJ231(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Apr 44 and Jun 44
AS58 HORSA II
RN309 to RN349(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Aug 44 and Mar 45
RN362 to RN405(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Aug 44 and Mar 45
RN418 to RN459(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Aug 44 and Mar 45
RN473 to RN520(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Aug 44 and Mar 45
RX534 to RX583(Contract Acft/1689)Delivered between Mar 45 and Apr 45
Additional information.(from Mike Phipp)
DK353(pre-production) Flew at Christchurch 29-05-42(may not be f/f) Pilot- George Errington.
DP279 (first produced by Harris Lebus),made f/f at Christchurch on 01-06-42.Pilot- George Errington.
DP714 (first produced by Austin Motors)made f/f at Christchurch in June 42.Pilot- George Errington.
Horsa DP726.
A Horsa under tow with Airspeed test pilot Brian Field at the controls.
Photo Ralph Viveash via John Havers Collection
Two pictures of Horsa Mk II RN310 shortly after completion.August 1944(War department photos)
From Charles Mac Kay comes this photo of Christchurch-built LJ114 (Horsa 1) serving with the USAAF (possibly at Aldermaston).
AS10 OXFORD I & II
A total of 550 built at Christchurch .(X6520 f/f 22 March 1941 first delivery on 25-04-41)
Contract B66827/40 (delivered between Apr 41 and May 42)
c/ns 001-250 X6520-6564 ,6589-6623 ,6643-6692 ,6726-6750, 6764-6813 ,6835-6879
Contract B66827/40 (delivered between Sep 41 and Aug 42)
c/ns 251-500 X6880-6884,6932-6981 ,7031-7075 ,7107-7156 ,7176/7200, 7231-7265 ,7278-7317 (500)
Contract B128541/40 (delivered between Sep 42 and Feb 43)
c/ns 501-550 LB469-492 ,513-538 (50)
c/ns 4303-4311 VB861-869 Produced at Portsmouth but del ex Christchurch Feb 1945
------------------------------------
In addition to the above the company retrofitted a quantity (given in some places as 160 )Seafires IIcs with Merlin 32 engines.......
Among the aircraft handled the following have so far been identified.....
LR682 Seafire IIc(u/c collapsed landing Christchurch 21-09-43).To Lee-on-Solent 22-12-43.
LR690 Seafire IIc (04-06-43)
LR693 Seafire IIc (13-08-43)
LR694 Seafire IIc (13-08-43)
LR696 Seafire IIc (28-02-44 to Eastleigh)
LR730 Seafire IIc (28-10-43 to Lee-on-Solent)
LR740 Seafire IIc (22-12-43 to Harwell)
LR741 Seafire IIc (11-11-43 to Lee-on-Solent)
LR742 Seafire IIc (17-01-44 to Lee-on-Solent
LR745 Seafire IIc (arrived 10-11-43)
LR748 Seafire IIc (arrived 02-10-43)
LR754 Seafire IIc (24-10-43 to Lee-on-Solent)
LR762 Seafire IIc (04-11-43 to Lee-on-Solent)
MB131 Seafire LIIc(arr from Hamble 12-07-43)
MB135 Seafire LIIc(arr from Hamble 25-08-43)
MB143 Seafire LIIc(arr from Hamble 17-08-43)
MB196 Seafire LIIc(25-08-43 to Heston)
MB210 Seafire IIc (28-07-43 to Cosford)
MB220 Seafire LIIc(26-06-43 to Lee-on-Solent)
MB241 Seafire IIc (arr from Hamble 29-07-43
MB248 Seafire IIc (17-08-43 to Heston)
MB252 Seafire IIc (6-43,to Lee-on-Solent 28-02-44)
MB258 Seafire IIc (17-10-43 to Lee-on-Solent)
MB267 Seafire IIc (25-08-43 to Cosford)
MB301 Seafire IIc (04-08-43 to Hawarden)
MB315 Seafire IIc (cr on arrival- demolished bungalow "Musoka" Caroline Avenue,Mudeford 25-06-43
NM921 Seafire IIc(eng failure on 17-04-43 while on test landed at Holmsley)
NM942 Seafire IIc (26-05-43 to Lee-on-Solent)
NM945 Seafire IIc (18-02-44 to Lee-on-Solent)
NM977 Seafire IIc (arrived 23-05-43)
-------------------------------------
AS57 Ambassador
c/n
61 G-AGUA First prototype.FF 10 July 1947;CofA 05-05-49, dismantled1951.(later RT665 )
62 G-AKRD "Golden Lion." Second prototype. Flew 26 Aug, 1948;special category C of A, CofA
04-08-49,45,000 Ib; de Havilland propeller tests, 1951; Bristol Proteus 705 development
tests, 1953; Rolls-Royce Tyne development tests, March1958 ( as MoA G-37-3); Rolls-Royce
Dart development tests; still airworthy, 1969.Scrapped November 1969
5210 G-ALFR Production Prototype,"Golden Hind" Flew May 1950;CofA 25-05-51 ,Napiers for
Eland tests, 1955;
5211 G-AMAD First production a/c For BEA as Elizabethan class "Sir Francis Drake" ,CofA 19-03-52.
5212 G-ALZN "Elizabethan". FF 10-04-51; CofA 20-08-51,BEA on loan, 22-08-51, delivered, 31-01-53;
5213 G-ALZP "Sir Richard Grenville".CofA 19-12-51, BEA del 28-02-52
5214 G-ALZR "Sir Walter Raleigh." BEA,CofA 12-02-52,del 13 Feb, 1952
5215 G-ALZS "William Shakespeare". CofA 24-01-52,BEA del 25 Jan, 1952
5216 G-ALZT "Sir John Hawkins. CoA 26-01-52,BEA,del 27-01-52
5217 G-ALZU "Lord Burghley".CofA 05-03-52, BEA del 05-03-52
5218 G-ALZV "Earl ofLeicester.CofA 05-04-52, BEA,del 12-04-52
5219 G-ALZW "Sir Francis Walsingham".CofA 28-04-52, BEA del 28-04-52
5220 G-ALZX "Sir John Norris".CofA 29-05-52 BEA del 29-05-52
5221 G-ALZY "Sir Philip Sidney.CofA 10-07-52 BEA del 10-07-52
5222 G-ALZZ "Edmund Spenser". CofA 06-08-52,BEA del 09-08-52
5223 G-AMAA "Sir Francis Knollys".CofA 02-09-52 BEA del 05-09-52
5224 G-AMAB "Sir Francis Bacon".CofA 03-10-52 BEA del 04-10-52
5225 G-AMAC "Sir Robert Cecil".CofA 01-11-52, BEA del 01-11-52
5226 G-ALZO "Christopher Marlowe".CofA 25-11-52 BEA del 25-11-52
5227 G-AMAE "Earl of Essex".CofA 18-12-52 BEA del 18-12-52
5228 G-AMAF "Lord Howard of Effingham".CofA 16-01-53 BEA del 17-01-53
5229 G-AMAG "Sir Thomas Gresham". CofA 04-02-53 ,BEA del 04-02-53
5230 G-AMAH "Sir Christopher Hatton".CofA 05-02-53 , BEA del 06-03-53
VP219-248 Ambasssador - for RAF - not built
VS227-236 AS.60 Ayrshire (Ambassador Military transport) not built.
Ambassador Prototype G-AGUA.(Airspeed photographs via Mike Phipp)
Ambassador second Prototype G-AKRD.
Airspeed photo(20 Sept 1950) of G-AKRD with Ron Clear(test pilot) on right and Capt R.P Mollard(Malayan Airways) on left.
===========================================================================================================
DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT CO. CHRISTCHURCH PRODUCTION.
NB:The information below was gleaned from mostly the following sources....60 years of Air Britain publications,
Putnams "De Havilland Aircraft since 1909" by A J Jackson,various BARG publications, Scramble website
and David Watkins' "Venom, The complete history" & "Vampire ,the Complete History".
With regard to Vampires and Sea Venoms,there is much confusion over exactly where many aircaft were actually
built or assembled from parts built elsewhere.In addition , some aircraft were built at one factory but sent
elsewhere for finishing.If you think you have any information that may help fill the gaps ,
or any corrections , then please contact me.
MOSQUITO FBVI/B35
RS637 to RS680 FBVI Delivered between 08-04-45 and 07-06-46(Contract No.3527)
RS693 to RS698 FBVI Delivered between 08-04-45 and 07-06-46(Contract No.3527)
RS699 to RS723 B.35 Delivered between 28-02-46 and 11-04-47(Contract No.3527)
VL726 to VL732 FBVI (Contract No.3527)
VR792 to VR806 B.35 Delivered between 10-07-47 and 13-02-48(Contract No.3527)
Mosquito FB VI.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DH115 VAMPIRE T.11/T.22/T.55(thanks to the recently published lists on ABiX)
c/n
15000 T11 G-5-7 Prototype T11,f/f 15-11-50.Became WW456
15001 T11 WW458 FF 01-12-51 delivered to RN 21/01/52 Pre-production
15002 T11 WW461 delivered to RN22/05/52 Pre-production
15003 T11 WZ414
15004 T11 WZ415
15005 T11 WZ416
15006 T11 WZ417
15007 T11 WZ418
15008 T11 WZ419
15009 T55 RNZAF as NZ5701
15010 T55 RNZAF as NZ5702
15011 T11 WZ420
15012 T11 WZ421
15013 T55 SAAF as 221
15014 T11 WZ422
15015 T11 WZ423
15016 T11 RNoAF as PX-E XJ771
15017 T11 WZ424
15018 T11 RNoAF as PX-G XJ772
15019 T11 WZ425
15020 T11 WZ426
15021 T55 RNZAF as NZ5703
15022 T11 WZ427
15023 T11 WZ428
15024 T11 WZ429
15025 T55 222 SAAF
15026 T55 RNZAF as NZ5704
15027 T11 RNoAF as PX-M XJ773
15028 T55 RNZAF as NZ5705 Inst.190
15029 T11 WZ430
15030 T55 RNoAF as ZK-X
15031 T11 WZ446
15032 T55 RNZAF as NZ5706
15033 T11 RNoAF as ZK-Y XJ775
15034 T11 WZ447
15035 T11 WZ448
15036 T11 WZ449
15037 T11 WZ450
15038 T11 WZ451
15039 T11 WZ452
15040 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28411
15041 T11 SAAF as 223
15042 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28412
15043 T55 SAAF as 224
15044 T11 WZ494
15051 T11 RNoAF as ZK-Z XJ776
15057 T11 WZ455
15059 T11 WZ456
15060 T55 Venezuela as 2A-36 (Left Christchurch for packing 16-09-52)
15061 T11 WZ493
15064 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28413
15065 T55 SAAF as 225
15068 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28416
15070 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28417
15071 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28414
15072 T55 Portugal as 1801
15073 T55 Portugal as 1802
15075 T11 WZ499
15076 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28415
15077 T55 SAAF as 226
15079 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28418
15080 T55 Iraqi AF as 333
15081 T55 L-151 Lebanon
15126 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28419
15127 T11 WZ507
15128 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28420
15129 T11 WZ506
15130 T22 XA100 Retained for trials- to A&AEE Feb54
15131 T22 XA101 , to A&AEE Aug 53,sold to RAN 1959
15132 T11 WZ509
15133 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28421
15134 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28422
15135 T11 WZ508
15136 T11 WZ544
15137 T11 WZ545
15138 T11 WZ546
15139 T11 WZ547
15140 T11 WZ548
15141 T11 WZ549
15183 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28423
15183 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28423(confirmation needed)
15184 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28424
15185 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28425
15186 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28426
15187 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28427
15188 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28428
15189 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28429
15190 T55 Swedish AF as Fv28430
15200 T22 XA102 Del to RAF Manby 11-08-53
15201 T22 XA103
15202 T22 XA104
15203 T22 XA105
15204 T22 XA106
15205 T22 XA107
15206 T22 XA108
15207 T22 XA109
15208 T22 XA110
15209 T22 XA111
15210 T22 XA112
15211 T22 XA113
15212 T22 XA114
15213 T22 XA115
15214 T22 XA116
15215 T22 XA117
15216 T22 XA118
15217 T22 XA119
15218 T22 XA120
15219 T22 XA121
15220 T22 XA122
15221 T22 XA123
15222 T22 XA124
15223 T22 XA125
15224 T11 XD375
15225 T11 XD378
15226 T11 XD379
15227 T11 XD380
15228 T11 XD381
15229 T11 XD382
15230 T11 XD383
15231 T11 XD384
15232 T11 XD385
15233 T11 XD386
15234 T11 XD387
15235 T11 XD395
15236 T11 XD396
15237 T11 XD397
15248 T11 XD376
15249 T11 XD377
15275 T11 XD527 Built at Chester, to Christchurch for finishing 01-06-54
15287 T11 XD398
15288 T11 XD399
15289 T11 XD400
15290 T11 XD401
15291 T11 XD402
15292 T11 XD404 *See c/n 15392*
15293 T11 XD424
15294 T11 XD426
15295 T11 XD427
15296 T11 XD428
15297 T11 XD431
15298 T11 XD432
15299 T11 XD442
15300 T11 XD443
15301 T11 XD449
15302 T11 XD450
15303 T11 XD451
15304 T11 XD454
15305 T11 XD460
15306 T11 XD461
15307 T11 XD462
15309 T11 XD511
15346 T11 XD512
15347 T11 XD513
15348 T11 XD514
15349 T11 XD515
15350 T11 XD516
15351 T11 XD517
15352 T11 XD518
15353 T11 XD519
15354 T11 XD520
15355 T11 XD521
15356 T11 XD522
15357 T11 XD523
15358 T11 XD524
15359 T11 XD525
15360 T11 XD533
15361 T11 XD605 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15362 T11 XD606 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15363 T11 XD607 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15366 T11 XD625
15367 T11 XD626 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15370 T11 XE816
15373 T11 XE817 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15374 T11 XE818
15375 T11 XE819 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15392 T11 XE823 .To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15393 T11 XE824
15394 T11 XE825
15395 T11 XE826
15396 T11 XE831 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15397 T11 XE863
15398 T11 XE864 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15399 T11 XE865 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15400 T11 XE866
15401 T11 XE867
15402 T11 XE872
15403 T11 XE873
15404 T22 XA126 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15405 T22 XA127 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15406 T22 XA128 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15407 T22 XA129 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15408 T22 XA130 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15409 T22 XA131
15410 T22 XA152 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15411 T22 XA153 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15412 T22 XA154 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15413 T22 XA155 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15416 T11 XE874
15417 T11 XE875
15418 T11 XE876 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15419 T11 XE877 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15420 T11 XE878 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15421 T11 XE879 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15422 T11 XE880 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15423 T11 XE881
15424 T11 XE882
15425 T11 XE883
15498 T22 XA156 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15499 T22 XA157 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15500 T22 XA158 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15501 T22 XA159 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15502 T22 XA160 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15503 T22 XA161 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15504 T22 XA162 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15505 T22 XA163 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15506 T22 XA164 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15507 T22 XA165 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15508 T22 XA166 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15509 T22 XA167 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.Sold R.A.N 1959
15510 T22 XA168 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15511 T22 XA169
15512 T22 XA170
15513 T22 XA171 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15514 T22 XA172 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15524 T11 XD510
15633 T22 XG742 To Flight Refualling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.Del to RNAS Stretton 03-11-54
15634 T22 XG743 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15635 T22 XG744
15636 T22 XG745
15637 T22 XG746 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15638 T22 XG747
15639 T22 XG748
15640 T22 XG765
15641 T22 XG766 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15642 T22 XG767
15643 T22 XG768
15644 T22 XG769 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15645 T22 XG770 Sold to RAN 08-08-57
15646 T22 XG771 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15647 T22 XG772 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15648 T22 XG773 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15649 T22 XG774 To Flight Refuelling,Tarrant Rushton for modifications.
15650 T22 XG775
15651 T22 XG776 Sold to RAN 1959
15652 T22 XG777 del to RNAS Lossiemouth 25-05-55
T.11s Total 123(+ prototype and 2 pre-production aircraft).Delivered between 01/03/52 and 11/03/55.
T.22s Total 73 delivered between 26/05/52 and 25/05/55
58 T.11and T.22 aircraft flown initially to Tarrant Rushton(1954/where Flight Refuelling Ltd carried
out flight testing and delivery to RAF
43 aircraft for foreign air forces delivery details.
NZ5701 to NZ5706 RNZAF delivered between 29/04/52 and15/12/52
221 to 226 South African AF .del between 26/05/52 and 29/09/52
PX-E/15016(XJ771),PX-G/15018(XJ772),PX-M/15027(XJ773),R Norwegian AF (T.11s),
ZK-X/15030(XJ774), ZK-Y/15033(XJ775),ZK-Z/15051(XJ776).R Norwegian AF (T.11s)del between 26/06/52 & 10/11/52
2A-36 (15060) Venezualan AF del 16/09/52
5801 & 5802 Portuguese AF del 30/10/52 & 04/12/52
333 Iraqi AF del 25/03/53
28411 to 28430 R Swedish AF del between 07/02/53 and 02/07/53
L151 Lebanese AF del 24/08/53
Trials and developement aircraft
The aircraft listed below were used or modified at Christchurch for a variety of test and trial purposes.
Dates given are the approximate dates that each aircaft was present at Christchurch.
WM659 NF10 Dec 51 For Trials.
WP240 NF10 1955 Sea Vixen Radome & Avionics
LZ551/G Sept 45 Fitting hook for deck trials.
RNZAF Vampire T.55.
In the late 50s Airspeed Portsmouth produced Wings,Booms and Tailplanes for the Christchurch-built Vampires
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
VENOM & SEA VENOM
c/n
WK385 NF20 first with folding wings FF 26-07-52
WM500 to WM504 NF20 WM500 FF27 March 53, Del between 8 May 53(WM500) and March 54
WM506 FAW20 Built at Chester, to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM507 to WM511 NF20 Del between May 53 and March 54
WM513 FAW20 Built at Chester, to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM514 FAW20 Built at Chester, to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM515 NF20 Del between May 53 and March 54
WM518 NF20 Del between May 53 and March 54
WM519 FAW20 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM522 FAW20 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM523 FAW20 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM542 FAW20 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM551 FAW20 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM553 FAW20 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM555 FAW20 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WM568 to WM577 FAW21(WM568 FF 22-04-54)Del between May 54 and July 56
WR284 FB1 Built at Chester,tfd to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WR287 FB1 Built at Chester,tfd to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WV928 NF.3 Prototype FF 22-02-53
WX785 to WX796 NF.3 WX785 del 17-09-53, rest Del between Sep 53 and and June 55
WX798 to WX799 NF.3 Del between Sep 53 and and June 55
WX801 to WX804 NF.3 Del between Sep 53 and and June 55
WX807 & WX809 NF.3 Del between Sep 53 and and June 55
WX843 NF.3 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WX844 NF.3 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
WX855 NF.3 Built at Chester,to Christchurch for completion and delivery
12711 WW138 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12714 WW140 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12716 WW143 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12789 WW144 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12790 WW145 FAW21 d/d 03.55
12791 WW146 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12792 WW147 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12793 WW149 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12794 WW151 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12795 WW153 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12796 WW186 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12797 WW188 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12798(?) WW190 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12799 WW193 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12800 WW195 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12880 WW196 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12881 WW197 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12882 WW198 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12883 WW199 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12884 WW209 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12885 WW210 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12886 WW211 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12887 WW219 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12888 WW220 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12889 WW261 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12890 WW262 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12891 WW263 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12897 WW274 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12892 WW295 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12893 WW296 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12894 WW297 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12895 WW298 FAW21 Del between May 54 and July 56
12750 FAW53 WZ893 d/d 05-09-54 to DH Co for trials later del to Royal Australian Navy
12751 FAW53 WZ894 d/d 14-01-55 to DH Co for trials later del to Royal Australian Navy
12752 FAW53 WZ895 d/d April 55 to DH Co for trials later del to Royal Australian Navy
12753 FAW53 WZ896 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12754 FAW53 WZ897 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12755 FAW53 WZ898 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12756 FAW53 WZ899 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12757 FAW53 WZ900 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12758 FAW53 WZ901 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12759 FAW53 WZ902 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12760 FAW53 WZ903 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12761 FAW53 WZ904 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12762 FAW53 WZ905 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12763 FAW53 WZ906 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12764 FAW53 WZ907 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12765 FAW53 WZ908 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12766 FAW53 WZ909 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12767 FAW53 WZ910 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12768 FAW53 WZ911 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12769 FAW53 WZ927 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12770 FAW53 WZ928 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12771 FAW53 WZ929 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12772 FAW53 WZ930 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12773 FAW53 WZ931 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12774 FAW53 WZ932 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12775 FAW53 WZ933 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12776 FAW53 WZ934 Del initially to A&AEE Boscombe Down Oct 55,d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12777 FAW53 WZ935 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12778 FAW53 WZ936 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12779 FAW53 WZ937 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12780 FAW53 WZ938 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12781 FAW53 WZ939 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12782 FAW53 WZ940 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12783 FAW53 WZ941 Del initially to A&AEE Boscombe Down Nov-Dec 55,d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12784 FAW53 WZ942 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12785 FAW53 WZ943 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12786 FAW53 WZ944 Used for trials at Christchurch & Boscombe Down , d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12787 FAW53 WZ945 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
12788 FAW53 WZ946 d/d to Royal Australian Navy
FAW53 WZ947-WZ856 Order cancelled, not built.
NB:The surviving aircraft,WZ897/901/903/904/910/930/935/939 & 944 were reserialled as N4-897 etc circa 1961.
? XA539 NF21Prototype f/f 06-02-54
12896 FAW21 XG606 Del between May 54 and July 56
12898 FAW21 XG607 Del between May 54 and July 56
12899 FAW21 XG608 Del between May 54 and July 56
12900 FAW21 XG609 Del between May 54 and July 56
12901 FAW21 XG610 Del between May 54 and July 56
12902 FAW21 XG611 Del between May 54 and July 56
12903 FAW21 XG612 Del between May 54 and July 56
12904 FAW21 XG613 Del between May 54 and July 56
12905 FAW21 XG614 Del between May 54 and July 56
12906 FAW21 XG615 Del between May 54 and July 56
12907 FAW21 XG616 Del between May 54 and July 56
12908 FAW21 XG617 Del between May 54 and July 56
12909 FAW21 XG618 Del between May 54 and July 56
12910 FAW21 XG619 Del between May 54 and July 56
12911 FAW21 XG620 Del between May 54 and July 56
12912 FAW21 XG621 Del between May 54 and July 56
12913 FAW21 XG622 Del between May 54 and July 56
12914 FAW21 XG623 Del between May 54 and July 56
12915 FAW21 XG624 Del between May 54 and July 56
12916 FAW21 XG663 Del between May 54 and July 56
12917 FAW21 XG666 Del between May 54 and July 56
12918 FAW21 XG667 Del between May 54 and July 56
12919 FAW21 XG669 Del between May 54 and July 56
12920 FAW21 XG672 Del between May 54 and July 56
12921 FAW21 XG674 Del between May 54 and July 56
12922 FAW21 XG677 Del between May 54 and July 56
12923 FAW21 XG679 Del between May 54 and July 56
12924 FAW22 XG685 Del 04-12-56
Trials and developement aircraft
The aircraft listed below were used or modified at Christchurch for a variety of test and trial purposes.
Dates given are the approximate dates that each aircaft was present at Christchurch.
WE269 July 52 AVTAG Fuel trials
WE315 Jan 53 For fitting of ejection seat
WE361 Sep 56 Tip tank trials
WE381 Sep 53 Modified to prototype FB.4
WE455 Feb 56 For engine flame-out tests
WL805 Oct 52- Dec 54 Trials
WL807 Spinning trals
WL811 Dec 52 - Apr 53 Canopy trials
WL831 Aug 55 Tip tank trials
WL809 Mar 53 Fit dorsal fairings
WL811 Dec 52 - May 53 Fitting canopy.
WL814 Oct 53 Fitted anti-spin parachute
WM503 53 Retained for development work
WM507 53 Retained for development work
WM508 53 Retained for development work
WM509 Jan 54 - Feb 55 Lowspeed trials
WM510 1954 Lateral control 1954 trials
WM569 1954 Ejector seat trials
WM568 Mar 55 Spinning trials
WM569 Apr 55 Ejector seat installation
WM574 Jan 55 - Feb 56 Flap developement trials
WV928 Built Hatfield but FF atChristchurch 22-02-53
WW201 Jul 58 - Aug 58 Angle of attack indicator tests
WW208 Dec 58 AOA indicator fitment
WW220 Aug 59 & Oct 59 Trials and "Violet Picture" homing aid installation
WW295 Sep 54 Ejector seat mockup
WX785 May 55 Trials
WX786 Jan 54 - Apr 54 Trials
WX787 Mar 54 - Apr 55 Engineering tests
WX790 Nov 54 - Feb 56 Maxaret brake trials
WX793 May 56 - Sep 56 Icing trials
WX799 Mar 55 - Jul 57 Trials
WX874 Mar 56 Radome trials
WX926 Nov 55 - Feb 57 Ejector seat trials
XG607 Mar 57 - Jun 58 Blue Jay flight trials
XG612 May 56 Ghost 105 engine trials
XG613 Feb 56 - Sep 58 Trials
XG632 Jul 58 AOA indicator fitment
XG658 Dec 57 - Feb 58 Radio cooling modifications
XG659 May 58 Control system investigation
XG657 02-05-57 For Fuel tank replacement - departed 22-05-57.
XG662 Nov 57 & Feb 58 Blue Jay modifications and GW trials preparation.
(Top)Royal Australian Navy Sea Venom F53 WZ893 over the Run at Mudeford on 15th February 1955,Christchurch Airfield is at top left.(Lower) RN Sea Venom NF21 WM569.(Photos via Stephen Cullen)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SEA VIXEN
c/n
P1 & P2 WG236 and WG240 DH110(Built at Hatfield).
P3 XF828 Naval Prototype (3rd aircraft) f/f 20/06/55
10001 to 10021 XJ474 to XJ494 FAW1
10022 to 10037 XJ513 to XJ528 FAW1
10038 to 10068 XJ556 to XJ586 FAW1
10069 to 10078 XJ602 to XJ611 FAW 1
XJ474 f/f was 20/03/57.
10079 to 10090 XN647 to XN658 FAW1
10091 to 10118 XN683 to XN710 FAW1
It is reported in some places that XN705 as a complete airframe was dismantled and
transferred by road Chester where a new Sea Vixen production line was being established.
This airframe became XP918 - completed and flown from Chester as a Mk.1
on 19.10.62; with a replacement XN705 being completed and flown from
Christchurch. Certainly the f/f dates of production about this time
seem to bear this out XN703 - f/f 17.04.62; XN704 - f/f 04.05.62;
XN705 - f/f 24.08.62; XN706 f/f 24.05.62; XN707 - f/f 08.06.62 etc.,
right up to XN710 - f/f 10.08.62, hence XN705 was last to fly from
Christchurch. Most Sea Vixens from this batch were delivered to
Hatfield the same day to complete flight testing before delivery
Photos above show(Top) first prototype DH.110 WG236 and (Lower)XF828 Naval Sea vixen prototype.
The two pictures below , both taken on at Christchurch on 20th June 1955 show (top) Mr. W. A. Tamblin,
F.R.Ae.S., chief designer at Christchurch, and Mr. J. ("Jock") Elliot,chief test pilot at Christchurch,
on the occasion of the first flight of XF828.The lower picture shows Jock Elliot with
John Cunningham(D-H Chief test Pilot) on the same date.
Click on the picture to see a larger image. (Photos via Stephen Cullen)
The map below shows the layout of the factory in 1961...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airspeed Test Pilots at Christchurch
There were three well known Airspeed Test pilots at Christchurch between 1940and the 1960s.
George Errington:Joined Airspeed in 1934 as an inspector at Heston.Later became a test pilot and then chief
test pilot from 1935 till the company was absorbed into de Havillands.
His notable test flights from Christchurch included the AS.51 Horsa (DG597) and the AS.57 Ambassador (G-AGUA).
He was killed in 1966 in the crash of the HS.121 Trident G-ARPY.The aircraft entered a superstall and crashed
near the village of Felthorpe in Norfolk killing all four crew.
Brian Field was a test pilot with Airspeeds during the war years.
The picture above shows him in the Flight Office at Christchurch(Photo Bernard Stokes via John Havers Collection).
In March 1940 he accompanied three Airspeed Oxford Mk Is (P1984, P1993 and P2002)delivered to Iran
where they were assembled and test flown .Later he spent time testing Horsas.
Ron Clear(see photo in Ambassador section above) joined Airspeed and became a test pilot in the late Thirties.
Spent much time test flying the Horsa. Also flew the Ambassador and was also at the controls when AS.57
production prototype G-ALFR shed its engines at Christchurch on 13 November 1950. He retired from test flying in 1980.
DH110(Sea Vixen prototype) WG240.
Hampshire Airfields
Dorset Airfields
