Fleet Air Arm

Two Scimitar F.1s from 807 Sqn, HMS Centaur, XD232-193 on the left, on the 8 Squadron pan in February 1962 (Vic Cozens)	800 Squadron's Scimitar F1, XD215-108, undergoing repairs at Embakasi in July 1963, having been left behind by HMS Ark Royal (author)	Another visitor to Khormaksar from HMS Centaur, 800 Squadron's XD243-113 taxies in, 11-62 (author)	800 Squadron Scimitar F.1, XD271-105 being worked on during a visit ashore, Khormaksar, 05-63 (author)	Taxiing on to the Visitors Pan at Khormaksar in November 1962 is 800 Squadron Scimitar F.1, XD280-100 (author)
Scimitar F.1, XD322-112, from 800 Squadron HMS Ark Royal, takes on fuel at Khormaksar in November 1962 (author)	Two 800 Squadron Scimitar F.1s, XD330 (nearest) and XD243, parked alongside a Gannet at Khormaksar, May 1963 As the aircraft has no markings it is probably a replacement for one recently damaged or lost.

de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.Mk.1 and FAW.Mk.2

Built to the same all-weather fighter specification as the Gloster Javelin, and arguably a much better all round aircraft, the Sea Vixen was designed as an interceptor, was powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Avon 208 engines delivering 22,460 lb of thrust, and entered front-line service with the Royal Navy in 1959.

The first naval jet-powered aircraft not equipped with gun-armament, the FAW.1’s main armament comprised four, pylon-mounted heat-seeking air-to-air missiles designed to attack subsonic targets at altitudes up to 45,000 ft, and it remained in front-line service before being superseded by the Mark 2 in the mid-sixties. Equipped with the more advanced Red Top missile, the Sea Vixen FAW.2 was able to attack aircraft flying at supersonic speeds and was instantly recognisable by the deeper, extended tail booms protruding forward of the wing leading edges.

Both Marks could carry two-inch air-to-air rockets from underwing pods and/or retractable launchers mounted in the lower fuselage. Furthermore, twenty-four three-inch rockets could be carried under the wings for use in the Close Air Support (CAP) role and for ground attack. Fitted to some the Mark 1s in 1963, the Bullpup air-to-surface missile was designed specifically to extend the capability of carrier based aircraft when attacking surface ships and submarines at sea, and troop concentrations, gun emplacements, tanks, bridges, railways and trains on land.

Overall, the Sea Vixen served with one training squadron and four operational, carrier-based squadrons until withdrawal from the front line in 1972. Several aircraft were then selected for conversion to target drones, flying from the RAE airfield at Llanbedr, until 1991 when the last of these was withdrawn.

Formally commissioned as a Sea Vixen unit in July 1959, 892 Squadron went on to operate both Marks of the aircraft until October 1968. In March 1961, the squadron was embarked on HMS Victorious and is recorded as being engaged in Exercise Sea Sheikh, a three-day Army Support exercise, off the coast of Aden, when it was tasked with the interception of strikes carried out by 8 Squadron Hunters flying out of Khormaksar. And when the Kuwait Crisis broke, the carrier sailed for the Persian Gulf where its Sea Vixens flew sorties in support of the Army. In January 1964, the Squadron was back in Aden waters, this timed aboard HMS Centaur. Tasked to carry out a ‘strike’ on the carrier, Hunters from Tactical Wing at Khormaksar were able to get through the ship’s defences which included two Sea Vixen CAPs. After several weeks off East Africa, Centaur was back in Aden by June, with 892 Squadron’s Sea Vixens flying recce sorties from the carrier in support of ground forces fighting the Quteibi tribe in the Radfan. These were followed by strikes against various forts and strongholds in the Radfan area, each aircraft firing 96 2-inch rockets at their targets. Greater damage was caused to the stone-built structures on subsequent sorties in which 22 3-inch rockets were fired by each attacking Sea Vixen. On the last day of 892’s participation in the Radfan campaign, sixteen armed sorties were flown in the area as Tactical Wing Hunter squadrons were attacking targets in the WAP. 892 Squadron’s final visit to Aden occurred in May 1967 when embarked aboard HMS Hermes. Here it stayed for a two week period as a show of naval air power to the Aden Directorate. During this time, its Sea Vixens flew border patrols, sometimes on their own and sometimes in co-operation with the Hunter squadrons. One day a CAP exercise was undertaken to see of Hermes could defend Khormaksar on her own without any ground support. 8 and 43 Squadron Hunters were tasked with attacking Khormaksar and most of them were intercepted by 892 Squadron Sea Vixens.

Another squadron to fly the Sea Vixen FAW.1 was 893, which was commissioned in September 1960. Embarked on HMS Centaur, the ship sailed for the eastern Mediterranean in early July 1961 as the Kuwait crisis threatened, then sailed through the Suez Canal to Aden, her aircraft operating from Khormaksar for an eight-day period when most of the MEC Hunters were up in the Gulf. Towards the end of the month, Centaur sailed up to Kuwait where it aircraft could be used to support the Marines and the Army in fending off an attack from Iraq. In September 1963, with 893 Squadron embarked, HMS Victorious sailed for the Middle East, and on arrival in Aden, the Sea Vixens flew into Khormaksar. A series of CAPs were flown against the Hunters of 8 Squadron as they carried out practice gun attacks on a splash target towed by Victorious. These proved extremely successful (from an 893 perspective) and ended up with some splendid aerial battles, in which most of the Sea Vixens ended up in a ‘killing position’. 893 Squadron continued to fly the Sea Vixen, in the Mark 2 version, until July 1970, when it was disbanded.

Third of the four Sea Vixen squadrons was 899 which was commissioned in February 1961 as the Yeovilton Headquarters Squadron. As such it spent its early years tied mainly to its home base and for short periods operating from carriers, mostly in home waters. It was not until late 1964 that the squadron, now equipped with Sea Vixen FAW.2s, ventured east of Suez. Although they paid several visits to Khormaksar during the ensuing years, it was the Squadron’s presence during the British withdrawal from Aden in November 1967 that was the most prominent. Beginning on 5 November, two up country reconnaissance flights of four and three Sea Vixens respectively were launched from HMS Eagle, escorted on each occasion by a pair of 43 Squadron Hunters. The bulk of 899’s task, however, was to fly CAP sorties. On the 25th, the ship weighed anchor and departed for the Red Sea, allowing 899 to launch its aircraft and fly a farewell flypast over Aden Harbour for His Excellency the High Commissioner. At 15:15 on 29 November, the last day, a final flight of four 899 Squadron Sea Vixens were recalled to their ship, the last British military aircraft to leave the area.

A gallery of images depicting Sea Vixen FAW.Mk.1s in various squadron markings and carrier tail codes, taken at both Khormaksar and on board HMS Centaur between 1962 and 1964. Images of FAW.2s operating in the Middle East would be most welcome.

A couple of images depicting XN655-455 at Khormaksar in October 1961 with, first, wings folding to allow it to squeeze through a narrow gap .....	..... with the AEW Gannet, and secondly, stopped on the Visitors pan with wings open (both, Keith Webster) The Sea Vixen was being operated by 893 Sqn from HMS Centaur at the time and the aircraft in the background is Beverley XM109-U of 84 Sqn.	Three 893 Squadron Sea Vixen FAW.1s, XN648+XJ585+XN657, on the 8 Squadron pan during a visit ashore from HMS Centaur, 02-62 (Vic Cozens)	HMS Centaur, Aden Harbour, 03-63 (author)	XJ611-466, 0f 893 Squadron, HMS Centaur, 03-63 (author)
XN654-464, of 893 Squadron, HMS Centaur, 03-63 (author)	XN697-457, of 893 Squadron, HMS Centaur, 03-63 (author)	XN698-458, of 893 Squadron, HMS Centaur, 03-63 (author)	XN705-455, of 893 Squadron on board HMS Centaur, 01-64 (Vic Cozens)	An 892 Squadron FAW.1 accelerates down Centaur's catapult in 1964 (Peter Lewis)
Another 892 Squadron Vixen departs over the carrier's bow as the strop drops into the sea, 1964 (Peter Lewis)	XN691-219 bearing 892 Squadron markings, swoops over Centaur's stern, as its pilot aims for the arrester wire, 1964 (Peter Lewis)	A Sea Vixen of 892 Squadron about to land on Centaur and catch the arrester wire, 1964 (Peter Lewis)	XJ522-207 taxies into its parking slot alongside another 892 Squadron FAW.1, XJ516-206, to the side of the carrier's deck, 1964 (Peter Lewis)	Early production FAW.1, XJ490-210 of 892 Squadron, taxies in having flown off HMS Victorious, 01-64 (author) This aircraft is currently on display at the Queensland Air Museum.
892 Squadron's, XJ605-215, taxies out of the Hunter Tactical Wing pan for its return flight to HMS Victorious, 01-64 (author)	Six 893 Squadron Sea Vixens and an 849 Squadron Gannet from HMS Centaur at rest at Khormaksar, 03-63 (author)	With wings folded, 893 Squadron's XN694-467 taxies in passed the Hunter pan, 03-63 (author)	893 Squadron's XN705-455 parked on the Transport Wing pan with folded wings, 03-63 (author)	Also parked on the Transport Wing apron, 890 Squadron's XN710-247, carries HMS Ark Royal's code (R) on its tailfin, 18-05-63 (author)
Having flown in from HMS Centaur, XP918-459 (the last production FAW.1), of 893 Squadron, taxies passed the Hunter line, 03-63 (author)	XP918-459 tucks it wheels up as it departs for the mother ship, 03-63 (author)

Fairey Gannet COD.MK.4 and AEW.Mk.3

In the 1960s, the Gannet was the workhorse of the Navy’s carrier fleet, performing tasks ranging from communications duties, the collection and delivery of mail to shore bases and the ears and eyes in the detection of hostile aircraft. Two Marks of Gannet were in service during this period. The COD.4 was a conversion of the AS.4 anti-submarine hunter version for use in the General Duties role and by Flag Officers assigned to the various carriers for their personal use. They were allocated to 849 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose and issued to individual carriers as they departed UK shores for missions overseas.

The AEW.3 was designed to detect and identify approaching enemy aircraft when in the air and was distinguishable from other Marks by a huge under slung radome and the repositioning of the radar operators consoles to deep inside the aircraft fuselage. Four AEW.3s were assigned to each of four Flights (A-D) within 849 Squadron, with one Flight assigned to each carrier at sea. Aircraft assigned to a specific Flight could be identified by the appropriate letter on the fuselage mid-point.

An ingenious feature of FAA operations that intrigued RAF personnel was the ability for its aircraft to carry Palouste engine starter units. Built into a pod-like structure with similar external dimensions to the standard Naval drop tank of the period, and carried on an underwing pylon, the pods were equipped with a set of retractable wheels for use at remote locations.  

Bearing an 'Ozzie' zap on its nose, COD.4, XA430-FOAC, basks on the midday sun during a visit to Khormaksar in 1963 (author) The tailcode FOAC = Flag Officer Aircraft Carriers	COD.4, XA430-FOAC, is retrieved from the bondu, having run off the side of the Khormaksar runway in 1963 (author)	XA430 at Khormaksar again, this time a year later and sporting the all-over blue livery adopted for aircraft assigned for FOAC duties (author) HMS Ark Royal aircraft	In its sparkling new colours, COD.4, XA454, is seen parked at Khormaksar in 1964, having flown in from HMS Victorious (author) Of note is the Palouste engine starter pod on the pan, underneath the wing	COD.4, XA470, at Khormaksar shortly before departing for HMS Hermes in May 1967 (author's collection)
COD.4, XG786, parked on the Transport Wing pan in 1964 (author) HMS Hermes aircraft	A group of officers and airmen from 8 Squadron get a close look at the Gannet's double-folding wing during a visit to HMS Centaur, 03-63 (author)	Gannet AEW.3, XP225-425, of 849 Squadron about to launch from HMS Centaur in the Red Sea in 1964 (Peter Lewis)	With eyes focused on the mirror landing system, the pilot of AEW.3, XP226, gently lowers his aircraft towards HMS Centaur in 1964 (Peter Lewis) Note the splash target being towed by the carrier.	AEW.3, XL494-432, of C Flight, 849 Squadron, having its Palouste starter unit removed at Khormaksar in 1963 (author)
Two Centaur AEW.3s, XL496-421 nearest, flew into Khormaksar with six Sea Vixens for a series of exercises in 1963 (author)	One of a number of 849 Squadron AEW.3 visits to Khormaksar during 1963 was made by XP199-431 (author) The glazed radar operators hatch can easily be seen to the front of the roundel.	Seen taxiing passed the Hunter line at Khormaksar for a return flight to HMS Hermes is 849 Squadron's AEW.3, XP225-425 (author)	Seen during the final months of British rule in Aden, the crew are preparing AEW.3, XL500-332, for departure back to HMS Hermes (author's collection) This aircraft is currently being restored to airworthy condition at Exeter.	Parked within the revetments at Khormaksar in the autumn of 1967 is HMS Eagles's AEW.3, XP227-071 (author's collection)

Blackburn Buccaneer S.Mk.1 and S.Mk.2

The Buccaneer entered front-line Royal Navy service with the Gyron Junior-powered S.1 version in 1963 as the replacement for the Scimitar. It made its first appearance at Khormaksar in 1963 when a number of 801 Squadron aircraft flew in from HMS Victorious. Considered as being underpowered for its intended role, only forty production examples were produced and the Mark 2 version, equipped with Rolls-Royce Spey engines giving nearly 60% more power, was soon in production and these too became a common site in the skies over Aden.

The first of a trio of Buccaneer S.1s, XN933-116, to fly into Khormaksar from HMS Victorious in January 1964, taxies passed the Hunter line (author)	Second of the 801 Squadron trio of Buccaneers to fly into Khormaksar was S.1, XN954-124 (author)	XT282-321 brings up the rear of this 3-ship formation of Buccaneer S.2s from HMS Hermes on 06-05-67, with Crater providing the backdrop (Peter Sturt)	Bearing a later colour scheme for the FAA Buccaneer force is 809 Squadron S.2, XT280-323, pictured at Khormaksar in May 1967 (author's collection)	Seen standing within the revetment area at Khormaksar in the autumn of 1967 is S.2, XV337-101 from 800 Squadron, HMS Eagle (author's collection) The S.2 was distinguishable from the S.1 by the much larger diameter engine air intakes.

Westland Whirlwind HAS.Mk.7 and Westland Wessex HAS.Mk.1

Used in the SAR role and a communications transport between ship and shore and, perhaps more importantly, as ‘aircraft guards’ during aircraft take-offs and landings on carriers, the Whirlwind served the Royal Navy for many years and was a common sight at Khormaksar whenever a carrier passed through the area. Following the early-sixties conversion of the aircraft carriers HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark into Marine Commando carriers, a number of HAS.7s were adapted for the commando carrying role and assigned to both of these ships. Painted in an all-over sand livery, they too appeared at Khormaksar where they were based during up country operations.

The Wessex joined the Fleet in around 1962 and it became a regular visitor to Khormaksar. In January 1964, six 815 Squadron aircraft were used to lift a number of troops to the 6,000 ft peaks of the Radfan mountains during Operation Nutcracker.

All photographs in the gallery below were taken by the author.

Early production HAS.7, XK944-334, on the helicopter pan at Khormaksar in 1962	XL852-985 blows sand over a pair of SAR Flight Sycamores as it departs Khormaksar for HMS Hermes in 1963	XL872-335 and XL882-332 lifting off HMS Centaur for the short hop to Khormaksar, 03-63	Having arrived at Khormaksar, XL872-335 is seen on the helicopter pan, 03-63	XL882-332 and XK944-334 on the helicopter pan at Khormaksar, 03-63
Bearing the nickname 'Bloop! Bloop', XN261-78 is about to depart Khormaksar for the return flight to HMS Centaur, later in 1963	When the first Commando carrying Whirlwinds arrived at Khormaksar in 1963, they were parked near the station swimming pool, XL899-M depicted here.	Three Commando carrying HAS.7s from HMS Bulwark pictured by the Khormaksar swimming pool in 1963 with XN296-K (nearest) parked next to XN294-H	In this November 1962 view, XM919-342, is parked between the Shackleton hangar and swimming pool	HMS Hermes-based Wessex HAS.1, XM925-347, awaits the call of duty behind the Shackleton hangar, 11-62
Captured in this view, 815 Squadron's XM843-301, was one of six Wessex HAS.1s to participate in Operation Nutcracker, 01-64	This 815 Squadron HAS.1, XM844-302, has just arrived from HMS Ark Royal, January 1964