First flown in August 1962, XP503 spent its active career with 4 FTS before returning to Hawker Siddeley for trials at Bitteswell in 1969. Retired to instructional use at Halton as 8568M by 1977, it was acquired by Phoenix Aviation at Bruntingthorpe in the mid-1990s before sale to an owner in Palo Alto, CA in 2000 and registration as N503KC

at 424 ATC

ex RAF XP538

Despite expensive enquiries I have not been able to determine the authenticity of this unusual paint job. Pima's site states that these are RAF test colours from 1961 at Dunsfold but I think it more likely that the colours were simply inherited from the previous private owner who had the aircraft painted like this, perhaps to look like an Indian Gnat/Ajeet. Pima's Head of Collections was very helpful in correspondence, but we were not able to resolve this question. What we do know is that the aircraft was used by the A&AEE, Bristol Siddeley Engines and the RAE before becoming a ground trainer.

incorrectly listed with c/n XP548 in the FAA database. Chino resident since 2019.

Really XP534

Delivered to the RAF in 1962. To the Royal Aircraft Establishment in 1969 and used as a trials aircraft at Bedford. Last flew in 1984. To the Science Museum store, Wroughton.

Delivered to the RAF as XP534 in 1963. To Halton for use as ground trainer 8620M in 1979. Sold in 1992 and registered as G-BVPP in 1994. Registration cancelled in 2009. To Bruntingthrope for preservation in 2010 then to the South Wales Air Museum, St.Athan in 2019.

Formation shot with the Red Arrows Hawk T1s

The former RAF Valley gate guard, in storage on base, missing its pitot tube. It later moved to the Newark Air Museum.

Farnborough International Airshow 1978. The Red Arrows. Delivered to the RAF on 29 May 1953. Retired to SAH Culdrose as A2679 on 21 Sep 1979 for ground instruction. To the UK civil register as G-BOXP on 03 Aug 1988. Sold to the USA in May 1989 as N8130N then to N1CW in Sep 1989. Destroyed in a fatal crash at Mojave, CA on 29 Sep 1990 when doing low level aerobatics for a film.

Seen at the Open House at RAF Wildenrath back in 1975. My father flew Pembrokes there with 60 Squadron at the time. My first attempt at aircraft photography with rather basic equipment. XP542 Operated by 4 FTS based at RAF Valley. Delivered to the RAF on 03 Jul 1963. Last flight 05 Jan 1978 to St Athan for ground instruction as 8575M. Last noted with 424 ATC Squadron in Southampton.