Built by Vickers Armstrong in the mid-1950s, WK281 joined 79 Sqdn at RAF Gutersloh in 1959 and was operated in the tactical fighter reconnaissance role until 1961 when the squadron converted to the Hunter FR.10. After brief storage at Church Fenton the airframe was used by an ATC squadron in Uxbridge. From 1967, WK281 was placed on display at several different RAF stations before being moved to the RAF Museum at Hendon in 1989 and subsequently loaned to Tangmere in 1994. Of the 193 production Swifts manufactured, just four complete examples remain.

This Supermatine Swift FR.5 wears its old 79 Squadron markings when on display at the RAF 50th Anniversary show at RAF Abingdon. Later transferred to the RAF Museum.