OT: Royal Navy Aviation in the '60's - great deck action footage

[BeauBrummie]

On the back of discussion of the Sea Vixen on the end of my Mosquito Museum post, I came across this gem of a video featuring HMS Hermes. The Royal Navy flying all British aircraft: Sea Vixen, Supermarine Scimitar, Fairey Gannet and the American/British Whirlwind helicopter. I became quite nostalgic as as a youngster I had the Airfix model of HMS Victorious which was the sister ship to the Hermes, and had the two jets on deck. I enjoyed the detail of the deck handling shown and the recovery of such big aircraft.

[BeauBrummie]

and there's a version with a very 1960's over the top British are top nation type of commentary! Rather amusing, but does fill in some of the detail.

[cjcz7]

Epic vids!!!

just a shame that we don't see the navy in action like that any more...

[Pat Pattle]

Wonderful! What days they must have been, what fantastic aircraft! Made me feel a little sad too, thinking what we used to have and what our armed forces have been allowed to become.

Loved those Vixens!

[MajorMagee]

Yes, they don't even make the top ten list anymore...

[BeauBrummie]

I think it's disgusting that we can no longer provide fixed wing cover to our land forces except from flying ridiculous journeys from land bases e.g. as in to Libya from the UK, or go cap in hand our to our Allies (Italy) for use of their bases. It takes away our independence as a military nation. Not all UN actions will be land locked or have bases of Allies handy for us to use. Nelson must be rotating in his grave when our PM said we have an agreement to share the French carrier! (sorry Loic, I'm sure Napoleon wouldn't be happy either :salute