Sitting on the ground at the former RAF base at North Luffenham there is a lone Harrier VX804 slowly decaying away and much unloved. The Harrier in question is XV804 a former a GR.1 that was converted to GR.3.
VX804 is currently listed as an Instructional airframe but I wouldn't have thought she had been used in that role for years with the RAF leaving the base many years ago. As far as I can find out she has been standing in the same place on her own wheels for the last eleven years at least if not longer, so it is amazing that she is still standing at all. Although now showing her after being left outside for so long it would make a wonderful project for a museum to restore to her former glory as a static display.
It is incredible what was left at the former RAF base at North Luffenham when the RAF moved out. There seems to be loads of stuff there some of which would make excellent museum pieces, including a Phantom F4 and enough bits to probably make a complete Bloodhound exhibit. Sadly the Hawker Hunter there looks like it is beyond saving now, as can been seen in the photographs on the Aviation Forum.
Given the history of the RAF in Rutand it would be lovely to have even a static museum to those that have served in the county and the important role it played in the cold war.
3 comments:
I'm pretty sure it would make a nice garden feature :), Just got to convince the RAF to let you have it
The Hunter is XG194, and she is now been restored Wattisham Station Heritage in her Black Arrow Colours as flown by former Air Commodore Roger Topp who use to fly her as the lead plane.
what is the current state of play?
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