Hawk XX154 to ‘fly’ to her new home

[Vulcan7]

Ex-ETPS Hawk XX154 will make her last ‘flight’ tomorrow 21st August from Boscombe Down to the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection at Old Sarum underneath a Chinook from RAF Odiham with support from JADTEU. That will be something to see!

https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news ... ollection/

[f111f4f14]

Hi
It is going in the hangar next to the cockpit of ETPS hawk XX 343. I believe XX154 will be on loan to the Collection for at least 3 years.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

It really should be going to a national museum.

[MRTT]

Why? It was operated by QinetiQ/ETPS for a number of years.

[sgtangel]

Why? It was operated by QinetiQ/ETPS for a number of years.

Because it was the very first Hawk. It is a very rare thing that a military jet prototype goes on to serve with the rest of the fleet that it spawned

[f111f4f14]

Hi
It has been at Boscombe Down since day 1 and I believe that Hendon and Cosford did not want it, B.D.A.C. was 3rd choice, at least it has been loaned to a Collection where people can see it, not stuck in a private one behind closed doors.

[Blackcat1]

Is that the last Hawk at Boscombe Down?

[seven]

No, both the Centre Of Aviation Medicine Hawks are still active, plus any that have been wfu and not disposed of.

[Blackcat1]

Cheers Seven

[TommyC]

I see the hawk prepped awaiting its Chinook lift near to the fire training area, Allington gate, as nobody was around the aircraft figured nothing was going to be happening soon at 10.30am

[Drinkmat]

Is there any implication regarding the tenure on the Old Sarum site for the BDAC, bearing in mind that the airfield is closing soon? Has their security been confirmed?

[MRTT]

I'm under the impression BDAC is not at risk.

[f111f4f14]

The owner of the Airfield doe`s not own the hangars B.D.A.C. are in, but if everything else leaves makes you wonder what will happen in the long run.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Why? It was operated by QinetiQ/ETPS for a number of years.

We are notoriously bad at preserving significant airframes (not types). I’ve no issue with it going to BDAC but would personally prefer the first prototype of arguably our most successful aircraft of the past 50 years, at home and abroad, to be in a national collection.

Sadly I don’t doubt the rumour that RAFM refused her. I hope it isn’t true, but I have little faith.

[MRTT]

Why? It was operated by QinetiQ/ETPS for a number of years.

We are notoriously bad at preserving significant airframes (not types). I’ve no issue with it going to BDAC but would personally prefer the first prototype of arguably our most successful aircraft of the past 50 years, at home and abroad, to be in a national collection.

Sadly I don’t doubt the rumour that RAFM refused her. I hope it isn’t true, but I have little faith.

Fair comment.

I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest, unfortunately.

[chrisward123]

The RAFMs are probably more interested in getting a Hawk from RAFAT...

[bizfreeq]

Surely the idea of the RAFM is to preserve ex RAF airframes and as 154 never served in the RAF it falls outside their remit. Not saying that's right or wrong just making the point.
I think BDAC is by far the best place for it as it's served at Boscombe all it's life but it could have equally fit in at Duxford or the Science museum, though with the latter could well have ended up in store at Wroughton

[stevejb]

Surely the idea of the RAFM is to preserve ex RAF airframes and as 154 never served in the RAF it falls outside their remit. Not saying that's right or wrong just making the point.

RAFM Cosford's Test Flight hangar is stuffed full of aircraft that never served with the RAF, but all played a part in developing types or technologies that did.

Steve

[Vulcanone]

Stuffed so full, that somethings have been put into storage. Like XX946 for example.

[bentwaters81tfw]

Cosford is over stuffed at present, they need to make space. Possibly loaning out airframes to suitable places.