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 When the 10 Belfasts were withdrawn from RAF service in 1976, XR362 was placed in storage at Kemble.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

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 It was withdrawn from use on 26 October 1984 and used for spares recovery before being scrapped at Southend on 18 February 1994.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.

53 Squadron. At the Royal Review.