HISTORY

This aircraft first flew on 16th November 1972 from BAC’s Warton site. On 1st May 1973, XX109 departed for the A&AEE at RAE Boscombe Down where it was used as a stress monitoring aircraft and involved in weapons carrage trials. After the trials ended in 1986, this aircraft returned to Warton and on 17th October was declared ‘Cat5 GIA‘ by the MOD Procurement Executive. XX109 was released to RAF Coltishall as a Weapon Load Trainer and Jaguar AEDIT developement aircraft and took its last flight on 24th October 1986. In 1990 XX109 was used to test the desert camouflage paint for the Gulf war and remained in the ‘pink’ colour scheme until very recently. After its retirement from GIA duties, a decision was made to turn this aircraft into a static display aircraft for the 30th Anniversary celebrations on 19-20th September 2003 and was since moved to the CNAM to allow the public a closer look at this historic aircraft. Since the closure of RAF Coltishall in Mrch 2006, the aircraft was deemed 'surplus to requirement' and put up for disposal. The museum put in a bid for the aircraft and was notified that we were successful on 6th July the same year.

XX109 is currently displayed as 'GH' of 54 Squadron in recognition of Graham Hall who helped with its restoration.