Naval Javelin

[zen]

Often in debate the speculation over getting the RAF to order the DH110 Sea Vixen is mentioned and put forward as a solution to the FAA's woes by riding on RAF investments into the system........

But perhaps the question ought to be turned around and asked what if the FAA had accepted the 'Harmonious Dragmaster' into service?

After all the various marks of Javelin added reheat, guided weapons, and the design was flexible enough to house different radar sets.

 

[CNH]

Getting the Tin Triangle off and onto a carrier deck might have been an interesting occupation.

 

[zen]

Getting the Tin Triangle off and onto a carrier deck might have been an interesting occupation.

But not impossible.
And not impossible to give it folding wings and nose to fit down the lifts.

 

[Deltafan]

I was allways astonished by the capabilities of the F-4D Skyray to land on an aircraft carrier with only its delta ogival wing… (and no canard or horizontal fin)

 

[Hood]

Not the Javelin! I feel if any aircraft would be a complete chump at sea it would be the Javelin.
Its aerodynamics might not have been suitable at all and even with reheat it was a sluggish beast.

 

[Mike Pryce]

The Javelin was not as bad as other deltas would have been as it had a tail and split flaps that allowed a very flat landing attitude, which matters when getting back on a carrier. See at 1:50 here'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M9Sj75hYgU

The big wing also gave lots of lift, which helps when getting off the ship with a load.

Also good speed control on approach as the air brakes were effective and rapid, allowing high thrust to be maintained for a wave off, rather than spooling the engines up slowly. Image from http://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=18821.1455 (someone needs to mention 'you are not lined up!')

 

[CNH]

Height in the hangar might also have been a issue with that high T tail.

 

[Mike Pryce]

Javelin was 16 ft high, 3 inches less than a Buccaneer. Eagle/Ark Royal hangars were 17.5 ft.

The RN did insist (until the F-4K got a 'waiver') on a folded span of 22 ft, which would have been a challenge.

 

[zen]

Considering that the FAAordered just 142 Sea Vixen, while the RAF ordered far more Javelin.....
Some 430 over time.

Didn't it have a 39' dish radar?
And several radar types.
Ok it would need further strengthening for carrier ops.

 

[TsrJoe]

more than happy to be proven wrong but I dont recall ever seeing any Javelin proposals for the RN. ? other than 'fanboy whatif fiction' stuff (the DH.110 was originally developed as a Night/All Weather type for RAF. use which was further pitched to RN. specification)

 

[MadRat]

The big wing certainly wasn't a poor quality to have for a naval fighter. It did have a pretty robust gear, too. Would have needed strengthening for catapulting. If only it had a SARH missile to supplement its big radar.

 

[Siberia]

And not impossible to give it folding wings and nose to fit down the lifts.

My main question would if the aircraft was strong enough to withstand a service life's worth of controlled crashes they call aircraft carrier landings.

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

My main question would if the aircraft was strong enough to withstand a service life's worth of controlled crashes they call aircraft carrier landings.

Naval aircraft are designed and built to be strong enough. Hence the Javelin would have required a redesigned strengthen structure, folding wings, a new long stroke landing gear and tail hook which would have added weight. So the question is how heavy and would this be compatible with the catapults and arresting systems then installed. There’s not a lot of margin between the as built Javelin and Sea Vixen actual weights to accommodate such a redesign.

Also the folding wings presents some challenges as the fold must go between ailerons and flaps which dictates the smallest possible plan form…. Which must then be compatible with the deck lifts.

 

[Siberia]

Naval aircraft are designed and built to be strong enough. Hence the Javelin would have required a redesigned strengthen structure, folding wings, a new long stroke landing gear and tail hook which would have added weight.

Which is kind of my point; after modifying it to be able to take carrier takeoffs and landings, adding a folding nose and wings, and generally marinising it, how similar is it still going to be? Not to say it hasn't generated some interesting responses.