Seen here during its relatively short service career with 53 Sqdn, XR362 was the prototype Belfast, first flown on 5th January 1964 having initially been registered G-ASKE, marks which were restored for a year in mid-1965 with the Ministry of Aviation. When the 10 Belfasts were withdrawn from RAF service in 1976, XR362 was placed in storage at Kemble. Registered G-BEPE to Eurolatin in March 1977, it was moved to Stansted and then Southend where it became the first to undergo civilianisation for Transmeridian Air Cargo/HeavyLift - see my photo at #20855

First registered as G-ASKE on 10 Jul 1963 with first flight on 05 Jan 1964. Delivered to the RAF as XR362 on 21 Dec 1967. WFU from the RAF and sold as G-BEPE on 30 Mar 1977. Operated by Transmeridian Air Cargo, later HeavyLift Cargo Airlines. WFU on 26 Oct 1984 and used for spares. Scrapped at Southend on 18 Feb 1994.

Prototype. First flew as G-ASKE in 1964. Delivered to the RAF as XR362 in 1967. To Heavylift Cargo Airlines as G-BEPE in 1977. Withdrawn from use at Southend in 1984 and scrapped in 1994.

The prototype/first production aircraft, registered G-ASKE on 10 July 1963, and transferred to XR362 on 20th December 1963. CAA records show that it was restored as G-ASKE on 14 June 1965, registered to the Minister of Aviation, and returned to XR362 14 July 1966. It was retired from RAF service in 1976 and stored at RAF Kemble until registered as G-BEPE on 30 March 1977 with HeavyLift Cargo. At some point it carried the class 'B' marks G-52-14. It was withdrawn from use on 26 October 1984 and used for spares recovery before being scrapped at Southend on 18 February 1994.

The prototype/first production aircraft, registered as G-ASKE on 10 July 1963 and transferred to XR362 on 20 December 1963. CAA records show that it was restored as G-ASKE on 14 June 1965, registered to the Minister of Aviation, and returned to XR362 on 14 July 1966. It was retired from RAF service in 1976 and stored at RAF Kemble until registered as G-BEPE on 30 March 1977 with HeavyLift Cargo. Cancelled on 1 March 1994 as destroyed after being scrapped at Southend in February 1994.

Operated by 53 Squadron.

Operated by 53 Squadron.

Still wearing its RAF serial XR362. By the time of the photograph it was registered G-BEPE to Eurolatin Commercial Co. on March 30th 1977.

This is a publicity photograph from Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. It shows the first prototype XR362 with civilian registration for hot trials in Spain before moving on to Nairobi.

53 Squadron. At the Royal Review.

G-BEPE was scrapped at Southend in 1994.

Looking superb just after roll-out and wearing additional 'B' class registration for certification, this Belfast was formerly XR362 and one of four civilianised. The work required included the fitment of a stick-pusher to counter the aircraft's narrow stall margin. Wfu SEN as early as 1984, used for spares and scrapped 2.94