Hawker Hunter T8C, WT722 / 41H/670689, Royal Navy
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: WT722
Construction Number: 41H/670689
Code Number: VL / 878
Military Unit: FRADU
Model Hawker Hunter T8C
Operator: Royal Navy
Airport: RNAS Yeovilton (YEO / EGDY), UK - England
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 15/07/1994
Date Submitted: 17/03/2009
Photographed the day before RNAS Yeovilton's 1994 Air Day, this Hunter began life as an F4 for the RAF making her first flight on 4 February 1955. She was handed over to 54 Squadron at RAF Odiham three months later. She also served with 26 Squadron based at RAF Oldenburg in West Germany before returning to the UK during May 1957 when she arrived at 5MU (maintenance Unit) at RAF Kemble for storage. She was subsequently transferred to the Royal Navy and was selected for conversion to T8 specification which was carried out by Armstrong-Whitworth at coventry. The work was completed during the summer of 1959, and she arrived at RNAS Lossiemouth on 1 July. She saw service with 764NAS until 1967 when she was transferred to RNAS Brawdy and 759NAS on 9 June. On 2 December 1969 she was ferried to 5MU for maintenance and storage, but within six months she was sent to RNAS Yeovilton and was issued to the ADTU (Air Direction Training Unit) coded '742'. She was fitted with a Harley light at RNAS Lee-on-Solent during May 1972 becoming a T8C. On 1 December 1972, she became part of FRADTU (Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Training Unit), following the merger of the ADTU with the Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU), this unit later became FRADU. She was retired in April 1995 and flown to RAF Shawbury for storage. In July 1995 she was auctioned off by the MoD and bought by Barry Pover and Barry Pearson. She was ferried down to Exeter and was registered as G-BWGN. She was only flown occasionally and she was subsequently sold to Air Atlantique who now operate her under the care of Delta Jets at Kemble.
Picture ID:1163832