| THE FRADU HUNTERS |
| HAWKER HUNTER GA.11 WV382 - '830' |
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| WV382's service history
The first GA.11 in the FRADU call-sign sequence is WV382. It was built as a RAF Hunter F.4 in 1955, and first flown in July the same year by Duncan Simpson. One of 40 Hunter F.4s transferred to the Fleet Air Arm from the RAF, WV382 was converted to GA.11 status under contract by Hawkers at Kingston-upon-Thames, and test flown for the first time from Dunsfold on 6th July 1962. Handed over to the Fleet Air Arm at Lossiemouth a month later, it entered service with the based 738NAS (Navy Air Squadron) as aircraft '643' on 24th August. It moved with the Unit to RNAS Brawdy in 1966, and was re-coded '784' as a result and had a 'BY' shore code applied to the tail. In April 1968, WV382 was flown to RAF Kemble, to undergo modernisation by 5MU (Maintenance Unit), and nine months later it was ferried to RNAS Lee-on-Solent, to have a Harley light fitted into the nose. On 27th March 1969, WV382 joined the FRU (Fleet Requirements Unit) at Hurn, becoming aircraft '830'. On December 1st 1972, the FRU and ADTU were officially merged, and WV382 became a part of the newly formed FRADTU Unit, (the 'Training' part was later withdrawn). WV382 later underwent a second modernisation programme, this time at RAF Sydenham, between September 1974 and May 1975. Returning to service on 21st May 1975, it was withdrawn from the FRADU inventory seventeen months later in November 1976. It was flown to RAF Kemble and placed in long-term store with 5MU (Maintenance Unit) WV382's civilian life Sold into private hands, it moved briefly to a yard in Smethwick before being purchased by a small band of enthusiasts based at Long Marston airfield in Warwickshire where it became a part of the Jet Aviation Preservation Group. During 2008, WV382 was acquired by the East Midlands Aeropark based at the Airport, and the aeroplane was moved to its new home in January 2009. Re-assembley and restoration will begin immediately, and the aeroplane will be given a refinish of its FRADU colours. |