What small plane did I just see?

[Johnnytheboy]

Taking off - at a guess - from Bournemouth.

Fixed delta wings, looked about the size of a fighter-bomber, e.g. Tornado, but a twin tail, i.e. two fuselages joined by a high rear wing (excuse my iffy terminology).

Couldn't see markings in the haze, could've been plain dark grey?

[DuraAce]

Sea Vixen?

Edited by DuraAce on Monday 22 July 10:27

[Johnnytheboy]

That could well be the one.

[Eric Mc]

Was it noisy (and the Sea Vixen isn't that small).

[Johnnytheboy]

Yes, pretty noisy (we are under the take off area for Bournemouth Airport so it takes a funny noise to make me look up).

It looked like a 'large fighter bomber' size as I say.

That pic is pretty spot on, and a quick Google shows one visits here frequently.

[Eric Mc]

It lives there - and is the only airworthy Sea Vixen in the world.

[Meteor]

As Eric states the Sea Vixen G-CVIX is based at Bournemouth airport. A big beast and yes it makes a lot of noise.

I believe that yesterday it was flying to get its Display Authorisation which means its allowed to display at Airshows.

[Eric Mc]

Nice to see it back in the air again.