| Simon's Sircus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Royal NavySea Vixen aircraft | |
| Active | 1968 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Royal Navy aerobatics display team |
| Role | Sea Vixen flying display |
| Size | six aircraft |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | RNAS Yeovilton |
| Mascot | Lion cub called Simon |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant Commander Simon Idiens, RN |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | de Havilland Sea Vixen |
Simon's Sircus, a unit of the United Kingdom'sRoyal Navy (RN), was anaerobatics display team. It consisted of six de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 jet aircraft belonging to theFleet Air Arm's (FAA)892 Naval Air Squadron. The team was active during the summer of 1968. Simon's Sircus was named in honour of both its commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Simon Idiens, RN, and its mascot, a younglion cub fromLongleat House, also called Simon.[1]
Simon's Sircus was formed in April 1968 by Lt Cdr Idiens following 892 Squadron's disembarkation from the aircraft carrierHMSHermes. They were based atRNAS Yeovilton and displayed at numerous RAF Airshows and Royal Navy Air Station Air Days during the 1968 season culminating in theSBACFarnborough Airshow on 20, 21 and 22 September. The main element of the team's display began with a steep turn and then a loop in 'broad arrow' formation, changing to 'box six' during the second manoeuvre. This was followed by a barrel roll in 'long arrow' formation, a loop in 'spearhead' formation and lastly a 'bomb burst' and finale. The team were highly acclaimed by many who saw them display, due in no small part to the fact that the Sea Vixens used were over five times heavier than theFolland Gnats used by the well knownRed Arrows aerobatic team of theRAF.
Following the conclusion of the Farnborough displays Simon's Sircus and 892 Squadron were officially disbanded.
