GLOSTER JAVELIN FAW.9R
The Javelin was the world’s first twin jet delta-wing fighter. It was designed for long endurance flights to intercept enemy bombers at high altitudes and at high subsonic speeds. Electronic and radar devices gave it an all-weather, night and day, operational capability; it entered RAF service in February 1956. The final operational variant was the F(AW).9R with a 20ft, detachable in-flight refuelling probe high on the starboard side of the forward fuselage – not present on our aircraft. Changes also included fitting an autopilot, and jet-pipes fitted with variable-area nozzles.
XH892
Built originally as an R(AW).7, the aircraft was stored at 5MU Kemble from April 1958 to July 1959 before conversion to F(AW).9 (F/R) standard. It joined 23 Squadron at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk, in 1960 and flight refuelling was practiced by this unit with the Valiants of 214 Squadron at Marham. In 1962 the squadron moved briefly to Horsham St Faith, with conversion to FAW.9R standard and modification to carry four 230 gallon drop tanks, before returning to Coltishall. It was briefly deployed to Singapore, then to Leuchars, Scotland, before joining 64 Squadron at Binbrook in October 1964, and then in 1965 to 29 Squadron in Cyprus. Whilst with the latter, it was deployed for nine months in support of the Zambian Government against neighbouring Rhodesia who had declared UDI. By 1967, the aircraft was in storage at 27 MU Shawbury but was then allocated to the RAF Museum as instructional airframe 7982M, going to its reserve collection at RAF Colerne; it was there from 1973 until the site closed down. The aircraft was sold in 1976 and moved to the IWM Duxford airfield, and finally came to Flixton in 1983.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Year Built: 1958
- Manufacturer: Armstrong Whitworth
- Purpose: All weather interceptor fighter
- Crew: 2
- Engines: Two Bristol Siddeley Sapphire turbojets 11,000lb (4.989kg) thrust – 13,390lbs (6,074kg) with reheat
- Armament:
- Two fixed 30mm ADEN cannons in the wings,
- plus four De Havilland Firestreak missiles
- or four packs of 37x2in rockets
- Maximum Speed: 620 mph (998kmph)
- Service Ceiling: 49,500ft (15,087m)
- Range: 930 miles (1,496km)
- Wing Span: 52ft (15.85m)
- Length: 56ft 9ins (17.m)
- Height: 16ft 3ins (4.97m)
- Gross Weight: 42,930lbs (19.427kg)
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