Vixen pilots meet up

Martyn Dean writes from Sydney:

Commander (F) D.M.A. H. “Shorty” Hamilton RN (Rtd) meets Lt (P) Martyn H. Dean RN (Rtd) for lunch at Middle Head , Sydney Harbour, Australia.

In September 2013, the first sea going Sea Vixen Squadron Commanding Officer of 892 Sqn met one of the last and youngest Sea Vixen Pilots that came through the training system. Cdr David “Shorty” Hamilton embarked his squadron on HMS Ark Royal in March 1960.

David “Shorty” Hamilton presented a signed copy of the book “Carrier” edited by Jean Hood and dedicated to “Shorty”, to Martyn Dean after a lunch at “Burnt Orange”, on the former RAN base on Middle Head.

The designation “F” denoted qualification both as Pilot and Observer for those whose memories are a little rusty. David “Shorty” Hamilton has been and continues to be foremost in contributing and checking accuracy within the website www.seavixen.org which Martyn operates to remember lost aircrew and to record the history of the Sea Vixen.

It was a most enjoyable occasion with not enough time to exchange stories and anecdotes and so future meetings have been arranged to continue the exchange.