This very interesting piece of aviation history is a conversion of Gyrodyne G-AJJP and first flew, in its new configuration, at White Waltham (EGLM) in January 1954. It was initially allocated the serial XD759, but this was later changed to XJ389 due to duplication.

'First photograph released of the Fairey Jet Gyrodyne helicopter, which has completed successfully its initial flight tests at White Waltham Aerodrome, near Maidenhead, Berkshire.' This was the extensively rebuilt second FB-1 Gyrodyne. The serial XD759 was also assigned to a Sabre and was changed to XJ389 for the Jet Gyrodyne, which is preserved in the small Museum of Berkshire Aviation in Reading. Photo from: Fairey

Ex XD759. Converted from Fairey FB-1 Gyrodyne G-AJJP c/n FB.2. Displayed at 424 Squadron ATC, near Southampton Civic Centre. Owned by the RAF Museum Reserve Collection, and displayed at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation at Woodley.

Ex XD759. Converted from Fairey FB-1 Gyrodyne G-AJJP c/n FB.2. Displayed at 424 Squadron ATC, near Southampton Civic Centre. Owned by the RAF Museum Reserve Collection, and now displayed at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation at Woodley.

The Jet Gyrodyne first flew in January 1954 and was poowered by two rotor tip jet burners and by two pusher propellors. It was used in development flights for the larger Rotodyne. It is shown when on display at the RAF Museum at Cosford, but is now in a museum at Woodley near Reading, Berkshire.