| XE682's service history
Hawker Aircraft (Blackpool) Ltd. built Hunter XE682 as a Mk.4 for the Royal Air Force, and it was delivered to the RAF at 33MU (Maintenance Unit) at RAF Lyneham on 5th July 1955. After preparation for service, the aeroplane was moved into mainland Europe where it joined RAF 118(F) Sqn. based at RAF Jever, West Germany.
During 1960 it was returned to the UK and was placed in long-term store.
XE682 was transferred to the Royal Navy, and the aircraft was converted to GA.11 status under contract by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. Taking its first flight in her new guise on 7th June 1963, XE682 was delivered to Shorts Brothers at Belfast on 1st July. Two months later on 23rd September 1964, XE682 joined 738NAS (Navy Air Squadron) at RNAS Brawdy, initially taking on the identity '636' and 'BY' shore code, but the former was later changed to '786'. During 1967, the aeroplane was regularly used by the 738NAS' display team the 'Rough Diamonds', but a year later it had been moved into store at 5MU Kemble, where it remained until April 1969.
A move to RNAS Lee-on-Solent occurred on 28th April 1969, where the aeroplane received a Harley Light in the nose prior to joining the FRU (Fleet Requirements Unit) at Hurn on 11th September 1969. Originally assigned the call-sign '831', the identity '835' was formally applied to the aeroplane in April 1971, and XE682 was operated from Hurn until FRU's move to Yeovilton in October 1972.
On 1st December 1972, the FRU merged with the ADTU (Air Direction Training Unit) becoming the FRADTU (the 'T' was later dropped), and XE682 remained in use continuously for the remainder of the decade as '835', aside from paint refinishes at Kemble (September-October 1973 and July-August 1980), and modernisation work at RNAY Sydenham (May-December 1976).
On 19th August 1982, XE682 suffered a bird-strike at RNAS Yeovilton and had to make a nose-wheel up landing on a foam carpet, suffering damage in the process. Declared Cat.5, where the aircraft is damaged beyond economic repair, XE682's flying career with FRADU was over.
The aeroplane was moved by road to RAF Shawbury and placed in store, remaining there until early 1986 when it was moved by road to RNAS Culdrose. Once it arrived in Cornwall the airframe was heavily spares recovered, and following the removal of all reusable items the remains were dispatched to the Station fire section. |
