RAF St.Athan Historic Aircraft Museum
RAF St.Athans first historic aircraft, the Air Historical Branch owned Junkers 87, arrived in August 1960, probably to take advantage of the manpower and engineering resources available from the based Maintenance Units and School of Technical Training. Indeed, the Painters and Finishers School proved very useful over the coming years, with many aircraft receiving a fresh coat of paint at their hands. One aircraft even received Royal Malaysian Air Force marks courtesy of a course of Malaysian tradesmen.
The collection expanded in the late 60's/early 70's with the emphasis being on World War II types. By January 1974 some 18 aircraft were present, being available for public viewing on the annual Battle of Britain days.
In 1975 defence cuts led to the closure of RAF Colerne in Wiltshire. As well as being an RAF Hercules base the station also housed a very impressive collection of historic aircraft. The collection was dispersed all round the country with St.Athan gaining some 9 aircraft. Further aircraft arrived in 1979 from storage at RAF Swinderby, this being offset by departures to the new Battle of Britain Museum at Hendon.
By January 1982 some 32 aircraft were present, still only available for viewing on one day in September. By January 1984 this had changed, with the Museum being open in the afternoon of the first Sunday of each month. In the mid 80's a rationalisation with the Cosford collection was planned, with St.Athan destined to become the centre for "Axis" aircraft, something it had always been in many respects, but only a few frames changed hands. A further development at this time was the regular ground-running of certain aircraft, most notably the WWII types.
Early in 1988 plans were in place to establish regular viewing weekends but these were put on hold due to the uncertainty of St.Athans future. That uncertainty was well founded with the RAF Historic Aircraft Committee's decision to wind-down the collection starting in mid 1989. Aircraft were dispersed to other collections, notably Cosford and Hendon, with others being auctioned off, the vast majority having gone by the end of 89. Around this time the Committee made another decision that affected the Museum, Spitfire gate guards were to be removed and exchanged for the benefit of the RAF Museum. Some 7 aircraft arrived in late 88/early 89 and were stored, dismantled, in the Museums hangar. All had departed by September 1995.
Over the Collections 20 year history it gained a reputation for the very best restoration work, leaving a legacy that can be seen today in our major aviation museums.
Below is a listing of the Collections aircraft. It does not include the ex gate guard Spitfires. As usual any additions/corrections welcome.
StuC
100503 ? Focke Achgelis Fa.330A-1 Bachstelze Luftwaffe
captured 45 - possibly tested by Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment, Beaulieu late 40's - Aero Club, RAE Farnborough 61/63 - RAFM store Henlow 09/67 - St.Athan Museum by 74 - RAFM Hendon "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display 11/75 - allocated 8469M 13/02/76 - Henlow 06/76 ? - RAFM store Cardington (06/76 ?) - RAFM Cosford c.80 - current
112372 Messerschmidt Me.262A-2a Luftwaffe
history uncertain before capture by RAF - Twenthe, Netherlands 01/06/45 in RAF markings - RAE Farnborough 06/45 - RAF serial VK893 allocated 09/45 - also carried AM51 - RAFC Cranwell Museum by 47 - 71 MU Bicester by 06/61 - RAF Gaydon late 61 repainted as "110800 yellow 7" - RAF Finningley c.72 repainted as "red X" - RAFM Hendon 11/75 "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display - allocated 8482M 16/02/76 - RAFM Cosford c.05/76 - St.Athan Museum 12/85 "4" - RAFM Cosford 23/02/89 - RAFM Hendon 14/07/03 - current
120227 Heinkel He.162A-2 Luftwaffe
Built 04/45 - JG1 Leck - captured 06/05/45 Leck - RAE Farnborough 31/07/45 not flown and dumped by 15/12/46 - AM.65 - RAF serial VN679 allocated 26/11/45 - rescued for display and displayed Squires Gate, Blackpool 11/07/47 - Central Gunnery School, Leconfield by 49 - RAF Melksham by 53 - RAF Colerne Collection c.58 and used as a travelling exhibit, restored 76 "2" - allocated 8472M 13/02/76 - St.Athan Museum 30/03/76 - RAFM Hendon 22/11/89 - current
Pictured in 09/78
16336 Kawasaki Ki.100-1b Japanese Air Force
Built 06/45 - captured Tan Son Nhut, Saigon, Vietnam 08/45 - possibly to Tebrau, Malaya and used by the Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit, South-East Asia - to UK by sea 06/46 to 08/46 - 47 MU Sealand by 02/47 and crated - RAF Stanmore Park by 02/48 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck mid 58 - RAF Colerne 06/60 assembled and repainted - RAF Biggin Hill 09/60 - RAF Finningley 61 - RAF Cosford c.61 repainted 68 "24" - sometime allocated BAPC-83 - allocated 8476M 13/02/76 - St.Athan Museum 13/11/85 restored and engine run regularly - RAFM Cosford c.03/89 repainted 92 (its seventh paint scheme !) - RAFM Hendon 11/11/03 - current
191904 Messerschmidt Me.163B-1a Luftwaffe
II/JG.400 - Husum - Farnborough - AM217 - probably followed a similar pattern as other captured WWII a/c - St.Athan Museum by 77 "25" - allocated 8480M 16/02/76 - Oldenburg, Germany 04/88 - Luftwaffe Museum, Gatow 95 - current
360043 Junkers Ju.88R-1 Luftwaffe
Built 42 "CH+MB" - IV/NJG.3 "D5+EV" - landed RAF Dyce, Aberdeen 09/05/43 with defecting crew - RAE Farnborough 14/05/43 - RAF serial PJ876 allocated 17/05/43 - 1426(EA) Flt Collyweston 06/05/44 - Central Fighter Establishment -Enemy Aircraft Flight Tangmere 04/05/45 "EA-11" - 47 MU Sealand by 05/46 - RAF Stanmore Park c.48 - 125 MU Wroughton c.late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.58 - RAF Biggin Hill 60 - RAF Henlow 06/67 for Battle of Britain film, but not used - St.Athan Museum 08/73 - restored 75 "D5+EV" - allocated 8475M 13/02/76 - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 14/08/78- current
4101 Messerschmidt Bf.109E-4/B Luftwaffe
Built 09/40 "GH+DX" - JG51 "+12" - 6/JG52 "yellow 8" - 2/JG51 Wissant, France "black +12" - attacked by Spitfires over Kent, hit and bellylanded at RAF Manston, Kent 27/11/40 - 49 MU Faygate, W. Sussex - Rolls-Royce, Hucknall for rebuild to fly 14/12/40 ff 25/02/41 - allocated RAF serial DG200 02/41 - deHavilland, Hatfield 08/02/42 - A&AEE Boscombe Down c.02-03/42 - 1426 (Enemy Aircraft) Flt, Duxford 24/03/42 - 16 MU Stafford c.09/43 - 52 MU Cardiff c.08/44 - RAF Stanmore Park c.47 "12+GH" - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck mid 58 - RAF Biggin Hill 60 - RAF Chivenor 12/08/69 - St.Athan Museum 09/69 refurbished by 4 SoTT 70/71 "black 12" - RAFM Hendon c.11/75 "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display - 8477M allocated 16/02/76 - St.Athan Museum c.05/76 - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 05/78 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
420430 Messerschmidt Me.410A-1/U2 Luftwaffe
Built late 43 "PD+VO" - "3U+AK" - I/ZG.26 "3U+CC" - captured Vaerlose, Denmark 05/45 - painted as "Air Min V-2" - flown to Kastrup 20/08/45 force landed with one engine on fire - flown to Schleswig 03/10/45 - flown to RAE Farnborough 13/10/45 - AM.72 - 6 MU Brize Norton 28/12/45 - 76 MU Wroughton 14/08/46 - 47 MU Sealand - RAF Stanmore Park 49 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.58 - RAF Cosford early 60 "CC" - RAFM Hendon c.11/75 "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display - RAFM Cosford c.06/76 - allocated 8483M 16/02/76 - St.Athan Museum 20/11/85 - RAFM Cosford 20/12/89 - current
475081 Fiesler Fi.156C-7 Storch Luftwaffe
Built in Czechoslovakia 44 - "GM+AK" - "RR+KE" - captured Flensburg 05/45 - RAE Farnborough 05/09/45 - AM101 - allocated RAF serial VP546 26/04/46 - allocated 7362M 26/07/56 as GIA - 1 SoTT Halton 03/08/56 declared unsuitable - 49 MU Colerne 08/56 - 15 MU Wroughton 18/10/56 - RAF Fulbeck 58 - RAF Finningley c.60 - RAF Bircham Newton by 03/61 - RAF Coltishall c.63 - St.Athan Museum 06/73 - under restoration 75 - "GM+AK" - RAFM Cosford 06/04/89 - current
494083 Junkers Ju.87G-2 Stuka Luftwaffe
Built 43/44 as Ju-87D-5 (possibly with werke number 2883) - modified to Ju-87G-2 (possibly gaining werke number 494083) - captured c.05/45 "RI+JK" - Eggebek, departed by road to UK 04/09/45 - 47 MU Sealand 01/46 - RAF Stanmore Park c.47/48 - 15 MU Wroughton c.late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.mid 58 - St.Athan 08/60 (the first historic a/c to be allocated) - RAF Henlow by 03/67 for use in Battle of Britain film "W8+A" - St.Athan Museum by 09/69 - repainted 75 "RI+JK" - RAFM Hendon c.11/75 "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display - allocated 8474M 13/02/76 - St.Athan Museum by 09/76 - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 78 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
501 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF Hungarian Air Force
c/n 760501 - d/d 64 - donated to RAFBF and delivered to Farnborough 24/08/90 in a Heavylift Belfast - auctioned 13/09/90 high bid £35,000 - St.Athan Museum 06/06/91 - IWM, Duxford, Cambs 02/11/97 - current
5439 Mitsubishi Ki.46 Dinah III Japanese Air Force
Built c.42 - 81 Sentai - captured at Kuruan, Malaya 45 - flown to Seletar, Singapore c.02/46 - RAF HQ Singapore 46 "29" - Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit (South East Asia), Tebrau 46 - shipped to UK 06/46-08/46 - 47 MU Sealand 26/01/47 crated - RAF Stanmore Park by 01/48 - 15 MU Lyneham late 55 - RAF Fulbeck mid 58 - RAF Finningley 61 - RAF Biggin Hill 63 - RAFM store, Henlow 68/69 - St.Athan Museum 70 - sometime allocated BAPC-84 - allocated 8484M 17/02/76 - RAFM Cosford 03/89 - fuselage to Cardington for repaint 17/12/92 - RAFM Cosford 06/93 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
584219 Focke Wulf Fw.190A-8/U1 Luftwaffe
Built as standard FW190F-8 44 - converted to two-seat in Poland late 44 - captured Grove (Karup), Denmark 05/45 "black 38" - Schleswig, Germany - RAE Farnborough 02/09/45 - AM29 - 6 MU Brize Norton 05/09/45 - 76 MU Wroughton 17/07/46 - (47 MU RAF Sealand late 46 unconfirmed) - RAF Stanmore Park by 49 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.mid 58 - RAF Henlow by 02/61 - St.Athan Museum c.09/70 refurbished 72/73 "black 38" - allocated 8470M 13/02/76 - RAFM Hendon 30/11/89 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
701152 Heinkel He.111H-20 Luftwaffe
Built 44 "NT+SL" - captured 05/45 and allocated to USAAF - flown to Cherbourg for shipment to USA, but insufficient space on ship - 56 FG USAAF Boxted 02/07/45 and painted in 61 FS colours as "HV-O" - flown to RAF North Weald 12/09/45 on return of 56 FG to USA - Heston 14/10/45 - Farnborough 03/11/45, in scrap area by 15/12/46 - 47 MU Sealand 19/05/47 - RAF Stanmore Park c.48 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.58 - RAF Biggin Hill 60 - RAF Henlow c.05/67 for Battle of Britain film - St.Athan Museum 09/69 - allocated 8471M 13/02/76 - to 5 MU Kemble 78 for repaint "NT+SL" - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 05/78 - current
730301 Messerschmidt Bf.110G-4/R6 Luftwaffe
I/NJG.3 "D5+RL" - captured Grove (Karup), Denmark 05/45 - Schleswig, Germany 01/08/45 - RAE Farnborough 03/08/45 - AM34 - 6 MU Brize Norton 05/09/45 - 76 MU Wroughton 14/08/46 - (47 MU RAF Sealand late 46 unconfirmed) - RAF Stanmore Park by 49 - RAF Andover c.49 - 15 MU Wroughton by 07/57 - RAF Fulbeck c.58 - RAF Church Fenton 60 - RAF Biggin Hill by 09/60 "OL" - RAF Henlow by late 60's - St.Athan Museum 08/73 - allocated 8479M 16/02/76 - restored 76 "D5+RL" - - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 07/08/78 - current
A-522 FMA IA.58A Pucara Argentinian Air Force
Grupo 3 de Ataque - flown to Falkland Islands 05/82 - captured at Stanley AP, Falkland Islands 14/06/82 - to UK by sea 06/09/82 to 23/09/82 on "Contender Bezant" - Abingdon 26/09/82 - allocated 8768M 27/09/82 - St.Athan Museum 25/10/82 - FAA Museum, Yeovilton 08/12/82 - loaned to North East Air Museum, Sunderland, Northumberland 22/07/94 - current
BAPC-38 Bristol Scout static external replica Royal Flying Corps
Built 62 by RAF Weeton apprentices with a genuine Gnome engine - "A1742" - RAF Colerne Collection - St.Athan Museum by 09/74 - RAF St.Mawgan c.87 - Avon stored - ARCo, Duxford, Cambs mid 93 - TDL Replicas, Lowestoft, Norfolk by early 97 - Lorch Airways, Norwich, Norfolk 97 - Solihull, W Mids 11/97 restoration - Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden arrived 17/05/09 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
BAPC-41 RAF BE.2C static external replica Royal Flying Corps
Built 62 by apprentices of 1 SoTT Halton - "6232" - St.Athan Museum by 09/70 - Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, N Yorks 10/94 - current
BAPC-42 Avro 504K static external replica Royal Flying Corps
Built 68 by apprentices of 1 SoTT Halton - "H1968" - St.Athan Museum by 09/74 - Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, N Yorks 10/94 - current
BAPC-47 Watkins CHW Monoplane
Designed and built by Mr. C.H.Watkins, with help from a couple of friends, at Mynachdy Farm, Maendy, Cardiff from 1907 until at least 1909, for a cost of £300. It was christened "Robin Goch" (Red Robin). Mr.Watkins claimed that it made its first hop from the farm in 1909 and his first cross country flight to a ridge on Caerphilly Mountain in 1910. Aviation experts would put the dates of both of these events probably a year or two later. The Watkins was powered by a three cylinder piston engine of 40 h.p. designed and cast by Mr.Watkins at the Cardiff Railway works. The aircraft flew extensively up to 1918, when a cracked cylinder head grounded it, and was well known to locals. It was placed into store. It reappeared briefly in 1943 at the "Wings for Victory" exhibitions staged in Cardiff and Swansea. It returned to store until 1959 when an Officer from RAF St.Athan persuaded Mr.Watkins to display the aircraft at St.Athan - loaned to St.Athan Museum 59 - to storage in Cardiff sometime after 06/91 - National Museum of Wales, Cardiff 01/98 - Collection Centre, Nantgarw by 02/04 - National Waterfront Museum, Swansea by 08/07 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
BAPC-59 Sopwith Camel static external replica Royal Flying Corps
RAF Colerne Collection "F1921" -"D3419" - St.Athan Museum by 09/74 - RAF St.Mawgan c.87 - St.Athan Museum by 06/91 - RAFM Cosford 09/94 "B5577 W" - Museum of Flight, East Fortune 26/11/02 - Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, Montrose by 06/06 - current
BAPC-92 Fiesler Fi.103 (V-1) Luftwaffe
captured 45 - early history unknown - Henlow - St.Athan Museum by 74 - Cardington by 11/88 for restoration - RAFM Hendon by 03/90 - current
BAPC-99 Mitsubishi Ohka II Japanese Air Force
Built 44/45 - captured 45 - RAE Rocket Propulsion Research Establishment, Westcott, Bucks by 04/63 - RAFM Cosford c.76 - sometime allocated BAPC-99 - allocated 8486M 17/02/76 - St.Athan Museum 82 for refurbish - RAFM Cosford by 83 - current
BGA907 Kranich IIB-1 Glider Swedish Air Force
c/n 075 built in 1944 for the Swedish Air Force as Fv8214. After WW2 it became SE-SPT and was owned by a Swedish pilot, Bengt Micrander. At some stage it was sold to a Mr Keuhling, an elderly German glider pilot living in South Wales. Its last flight was probably during 1967, without a CofA, before it entered storage, suffering some damage and deterioration through damp. At some time Mr Keuhling gave it to a Warrant Officer at RAF St Athan and it was first seen in the Museum in 09/74. In 11/75 it was taken to RAF Locking, Weston-Super-Mare by Corporal Tommy Boyle of 'the Glider Servicing Section. The machine did not seem to be in a hopelessly bad condition, all components were there including the 4-piece canopy, but one wing tip was damaged and fittings were corroded. In the late 70's it was sold to David Braham of the Russavia Collection, who stored it at Duxford with the intention of restoring it into Swedish Air Force colours. This didn't happen and it was sold to Germany. In November 2024 it was reported as being on rebuild to fly at Strausberg Airfield, Germany.
BL614 Supermarine Spitfire Vb Royal Air Force
Built 41 c/n CBAF.1646 - 8 MU Little Rissington 04/01/42 - 611 Sqn Drem 07/02/42 "FY-?" - 242 Sqn Drem 02/06/42 "KV-?" - 222 Sqn Drem 11/08/42 "ZD-F" - 64 Sqn Ayr 31/03/43 "SH-V" - 118 Sqn Peterhead 25/09/43 "NK-E" - 3501 SU Cranfield 02/11/43 - 2 SoTT Cosford 23/11/43 - allocated 4354M c.12/43 but painted as "M4353" (AB871) - 6 SoTT Hednesford 06/12/43 - 7 Recruits Centre Bridgnorth 20/04/48 - RAF Credenhill 03/03/55 for gate guard, repainted 64 as "AB871 SH-S" - Henlow 26/10/67 for Battle of Britain film, repainted no marks - used for filming at North Weald, Duxford and Hawkinge wearing various serials/codes - Henlow 09/68 and renovated "AB871" - RAF Wattisham 16/09/69 - RAFMRC Colerne 27/09/72 restored 74 "BL614 ZD-F 222 Sqn" - St.Athan Museum 28/08/75 - Abingdon 08/01/80 to help in rebuild of AB910 - St.Athan Museum by 09/81 - Manchester Air & Space Museum 07/12/82 - Medway Aircraft Preservation Society Ltd, Rochester, Kent 03/95 for restoration "ZD-F 222 Sqn" - RAFM Hendon 20/10/97 - current
EE549 Gloster Meteor IV Special Royal Air Force
Built 46 - RAF High Speed Flight 08/08/46 - set a new World Speed Record of 615.78 mph 07/09/46 - Glosters 03/10/46 - FCCS 29/05/47 "MR-J" - CFE 24/03/48 - RAFC Cranwell Museum 10/06/52 - allocated 7008M 12/01/53 - RAF Fulbeck 04/06/58 - RAF Innsworth 03/61 - 19 MU St.Athan 11/04/67 for restoration - RAFM Hendon 11/71 - Abingdon 09/80 - St.Athan Museum by 09/81 - RAFM Cosford 86 - Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, W Sussex 19/09/92 - current
G-AEEH Henri Mignet HM.14 Pou du Ciel
Built by E.G.Davis, Bath, Somerset 35/36 c/n EGD.1 - registered 13/03/36 - ff 05/11/36 Whitchurch, Bristol - wfu 15/05/38, engine sold and airframe stored in a garage in Bath - registration cancelled 08/46 - spotted by a pilot from Colerne who arranged a donation to the Museum - RAF Colerne Collection 66 later fitted with motorcycle engine - St.Athan Museum late 75 - allocated BAPC-47 - RAFM Cosford by 12/92 - current
G-ASPX Campbell Bensen B-8M Gyrocopter
c/n CA/204 - registered 09/03/64 - Commander L.D.Goldsmith - RAF Colerne Collection loan - St.Athan Museum late 75 - Dick Williams, Oxon 06/09/82 - crashed 16/11/89 on the beach at Morfa Bychan, Wales killing the pilot - registration cancelled 16/07/90
G-AVXV Bleriot XI
c/n 225 Built 1910 with 3 cylinder Anzani of 24 h.p. - Camille Amand - Jules Dupont (aged 15) purchased in damaged condition, restored in Liege and flown extensively up until the war - confiscated by the Germans in 1915 - sold to Edmond Graindorge, Ampsin, Belgium postwar and stored - acquired by Commander L.D.Goldsmith 60's - moved to Old Warden and restored by the Shuttleworth Trust and Southdown Aero Services - first flown 66 and registered G-AVXV 02/11/67 - to RAF Colerne Collection on loan - to St.Athan Museum late 75 - BAPC-104 - IWM Duxford by 09/86 - Hatch, Beds c.88 and restored to fly, ff from Old Warden 16/06/89 - attempted cross channel flight France-England on 25/07/89 but ditched not far from English coast, salvaged and returned to Hatch for rebuild - registration cancelled 16/07/92 - to France 92 - registered F-AZIN - Musee Aeronautique Presqu'ile Cote d'Amour, La Baule - current
K4972 Hawker Hart Royal Air Force
2 FTS Digby 12/11/35 - 2 FTS Brize Norton 07/09/37 - 24 MU Ternhill 13/06/38 - 12 MU Kirkbride 08/09/39 - allocated 1764M 22/01/40 - 22 MU Silloth 31/12/42 - 1546 Sqn ATC Wigton, Cumberland 22/09/43 - 17/03/62 dismantled frame found in loft of outbuilding at Nelson-Tomlinson School, Wigton - 10/11/62 recovered from loft to Carlisle AP - RAFM Henlow 10/63 - St.Athan Museum 01/68 restored by 1 SoTT & 32 MU - RAFM Hendon 72 - RAFM Cardington 06/87 restored - RAFM Cosford 01/06/92 - RAFM Hendon 13/11/02 - current
K-88 Goodyear ZPK-88 Airship Gondola United States Navy
Built 43 - ZP-3 Fortaleza, Brazil 10/43 - Sqn moved to Sao Luiz, Brazil 01/44 - to USA c.45 - Florida swamp - NMNA Pensacola, used as spares ship in restoration of K-47 - Airship Heritage Trust, Cardington, Beds 91 - St.Athan Museum 05/91 for restoration then stored - Newbury, Berks by 03/02 - RAF Millom and Militaria Museum, Haverigg, Cumbria loaned 01/08 - current
L5343 Fairey Battle I Royal Air Force
24 MU Stoke Heath 09/09/39 - 266 Sqn Sutton Bridge 09/12/39 - 20 MU Aston Down 24/02/40 - 98 Sqn Gatwick 13/07/40 - Sqn moved to Kaldadarnes, Iceland 08/40 - force landed south of Hosjökull glacier, Iceland 13/09/40 after engine failure, burnt by recovery crew, destroying most of fuselage - recovered 72 by team from RAF Leeming - RAF Leeming 73, restoration started - RAF Henlow 76 - St.Athan Museum 83 - restored using parts from P2183 - RAFM Hendon 03/90 "VO-S" - Medway Aircraft Preservation Society Ltd, Rochester, Kent 01/06 for restoration - RAFM Cosford arrived 19/10/08 - current
MK356 Supermarine Spitfire IX Royal Air Force
c/n CBAF.IX.1561 - 9 MU Cosford 04/02/44 - 443 Sqn Digby 11/03/44 "21-V" - 84 GSU Bognor 08/44 - 1 SoTT Halton 02/10/45 - allocated 5690M - RAF Hawkinge 53 "M5690", "MK365" - 71 MU Bicester early 62 "MK356 2J" - RAF Locking 62 gate guard - Henlow 67 for Battle of Britain film, also used at North Weald & Duxford with various serials/codes - St.Athan Museum 18/08/69 restored "443 Sqn 21-V" - Abingdon 08/89 for restoration to fly - St.Athan by 07/92 for continuing restoration - f/f 07/11/97 by Sqn Ldr Paul Day - to BBMF Coningsby 14/11/97 - current
MK732 Supermarine Spitfire LF.IXc Royal Air Force
c/n CBAF.IX.1732 - 39 MU Colerne 08/03/44 - 485 Sqn Selsey ALG 25/04/44 - 39 MU Colerne 09/01/45 - allocated to Royal Netherlands Air Force 22/04/47 - ToC 09/06/48 as H-25 - to Netherlands 27/06/48, Twenthe AB - stored Leeuwarden 13/07/48 - Fighter Pilot School, Twenthe 31/03/49 - recoded 06-51 "3W-17" - stored Soesterburg 09/53 - SoC 04/06/54 - Eindhoven as decoy 01/07/54 - dumped by 56 - "stolen" by 14 Sqn RAF and moved to RAF Oldenburg, Germany 56, restored as MK732 with invasion stripes and presented to 124 Wing RAF - RAF Ahlhorn, Germany 57 - RAF Gutersloh 60 - airfreighted to Brize Norton 27/06/69 in Belfast XR366 - 72 MU St.Athan 10/07/69 - Bicester 03/12/70 - BBMF Coltishall 23/10/74 as spares source - Coningsby BBMF spares source - St.Athan Museum by 06/79 - 8633M allocated 26/06/79 - Abingdon by 09/80 to help in rebuild of AB910 - St.Athan Museum 12/11/80 very poor condition - presented to 322 Sqn, Royal Netherlands Air Force Gilze-Rijen 30/08/83 - Aviodome Museum store, Badhoevedorp 13/04/84 - Gilze-Rijen store 29/11/85 - to Steve Atkins, UK, in exchange for plastic replica Spitfire 05/89 - sold to Dutch Spitfire Flight, Netherlands 12/90 - registered G-HVDM 18/01/91 - fuselage restored at Deelen, wings in UK and engine in Netherlands - tarnsported to Lydd, Kent for final assembly and first flown 10/06/93 as "MK732/H-25/Baby Bea V" - "MK732/OU-U/Baby Bea V" - RNLAF Historical Flight, Gilze-Rijen AB 04/10/94 - G-HVDM cancelled 03/10/00 - registered PH-OUQ 20/10/00 "MK732/3W-17" - current
MM5701 Fiat CR-42 Italian Air Force
Built c.40 - 95 SCT Maldegheim, Belgium "95-13" - force landed at Orfordness 11/11/40 due to a broken oil pipe causing an overheated engine on a bombing raid to Harwich - RAE Farnborough 27/11/40 - allocated RAF serial BT474 11/40 - AFDU Duxford 28/04/41 - 16 MU Stafford by 08/43 - 52 MU Cardiff 09/11/44 - 76 MU Wroughton c.12/44 - (47 MU RAF Sealand 08/46 unconfirmed) - RAF Stanmore Park by 49 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.mid 58 - 49 MU Colerne c.06/60 for refurbish - RAF Biggin Hill c.60 - St.Athan Museum 68 - complete restoration 73/74 "95-13" - allocated 8468M 13/02/76 - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 10/78 - current
N1671 Boulton Paul Defiant I Royal Air Force
6 MU Brize Norton 07/08/40 - 307 Sqn Kirton-in-Lindsey 17/09/40 - 153 Sqn Ballyhalbert 30/10/41 - 285 Sqn Wrexham 22/06/42 - 10 MU Hullavington 16/05/43 - 52 MU Cardiff 08/09/44 - 82 MU Lichfield c.12/44 - 76 MU Wroughton by 02/46 - RAF Stanmore Park c.46 - 15 MU Wroughton by 12/55 - RAF Fulbeck by 58 - St.Athan Museum by 09/61 refurbished 67 "EW-D" - RAF Abingdon 06/68 for Royal Review - RAF Finningley 23/07/68 - RAFM Hendon 01/04/71 - allocated 8370M 05/09/73 - MAPS Rochester for restoration arrived 22/04/09 - current
N248 "S1596" Supermarine S.6A Royal Air Force
Built 29 as S.6 - Schneider Trophy 09/29 - modified to S.6A 31 - Schneider Trophy 09/31 "4" - stored 31 - used in film "The First of the Few" 42 painted as S.6B "S1596" - stored - Southampton Corporation 46 and displayed on the Royal Pier still as "S1596" - RAF Henlow 66 - St.Athan Museum by 09/71 - RAF Henlow - R.J.Mitchell Hall Southampton 07/02/76 - repainted in original scheme and with correct serial - BHC, Cowes c.83 refit - Southampton Hall of Aviation 83 - current
P2183 Fairey Battle I Royal Air Force
12 Sqn - 150 Sqn - 218 Sqn - shot down near Nouvion-sur-Meuse, Ardennes 12/05/40 - what happened next is unknown, but an aircraft with this quoted serial number emerges - Canada - RAF Henlow by 07/77 - St.Athan Museum 83 - consumed in restoration of L5343
RW386 Supermarine Spitfire LF.16 Royal Air Force
c/n CBAF.IX.4644 - 6 MU Brize Norton 02/08/45 - 604 Sqn Hendon 25/03/47 "RAK-?", "NG-D", to GIA 24/08/49 - RAFTC Lindholme 03/03/50 - EARC Debden 15/11/50 "TDE-C", "S-C" - 58 MU Skellingthorpe by 01/52 - allocated 6944M 14/01/52 - RAF Honington by 17/01/52 - RAF Halton as gateguard 29/08/57 - "RF114 4D-Z", "RW386 EH", "RAK-A" - St.Athan Museum by 08/80 - Doug Arnold, Blackbushe by 06/82 - registered G-BXVI 27/12/84 - Bitteswell, Leics 85 - Biggin Hill, Kent c.88 - Audley End, Essex c.91 departed 92 - North Weald, Essex by 11/97 crated - Greenham Common, Berks by 02/04 - Historic Flying Ltd, Duxford, Cambs 07/07/05 restored to fly, ff 02/03/07 "RW386 NG-D" - to SE-BIR 05/07 - to Sweden 29/05/07 - current
TJ138 De Havilland Mosquito TT.35 Royal Air Force
Built 45 as B.35 - 27 MU Shawbury 28/08/45 - 98 Sqn Celle 31/10/50 "VO-L" - 38 MU Llandow 20/02/51 - Brooklands Avn Sywell 15/07/53 and converted to TT.35 - 22 MU Silloth 18/01/54 - 5 CAACU Llanbedr 08/03/54 "Z" - 27 MU Shawbury 09/06/59 - allocated 7607M 08/07/59 - 71 MU Bicester 29/07/59 - RAF Thorney Island 26/05/60 - RAF Hullavington by 65 "VO-L" - RAFMRC Colerne 01/67 - RAF Finningley 17/10/75 - RAF Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 11/86 repainted 91 "VO-L" - RAFM Hendon 07/02/92 - current
VP952 De Havilland Devon C.2/2 Royal Air Force
Built as C.1 c/n 04048 47 - Handling Sqn Hullavington 10/10/47 - TCMSU Honington 19/11/47 - Hendon Stn Flt 08/02/49 "CB-A" - TCCF Upavon 02/05/51 - AAFCE 08/09/53 - MCCF Andover 10/11/53 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 20/04/55 - HCCS 11/08/55 - HQBCCS Booker 10/10/55 - MCS Hendon 10/11/05 - TCCF 01/01/62 - Upavon Stn Flt 08/07/63 - SCS 06/11/64 - WCS Andover 03/02/69 - renamed 21 Sqn 69 - Hawker Siddeley Chester 25/09/70 and converted to C.2/2 - 21 Sqn Andover 18/03/71 - 207 Sqn Northolt 29/05/74 - St.Athan Museum by air 05/07/84 - allocated 8820M - RAFM Cosford 02/86 - current
VV106 Supermarine S.510 Royal Navy
ff 28/12/48 Boscombe Down - 08/11/50 first landing of a swept wing aircraft on a carrier deck - RAE Farnborough 14/11/52 - allocated 7175M 17/01/55 - 1 SoTT Halton 17/01/55 - 2 RC Cardington 20/06/61 - RAF Colerne Collection 09/06/64 - St.Athan Museum 29/09/75 - Cosford RAFMRC 01/77 - Lee-on-Solent FAAM store 03/05/90 - Wroughton FAAM store 15/02/95 - FAAM Cobham Hall store, Yeovilton 24/11/99 - current
VX272 Hawker P.1052 Royal Navy
ff 19/11/48 Boscombe Down - RAE Farnborough 26/06/49 - allocated 7174M 14/01/55 - 1 SoTT Halton 08/02/55 - 2 RC Cardington 20/06/61 - RAF Colerne Collection 09/06/64 - St.Athan Museum 08/09/75 - Cosford RAFMRC 01/77 - Lee-on-Solent FAAM store 03/05/90 - Wroughton FAAM store 15/02/95 - FAAM Cobham Hall store, Yeovilton 24/11/99 - current
WA634 Gloster Meteor T.7/8 hybrid Royal Air Force
Glosters, Moreton Valence 10/11/49 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 07/03/51 - Glosters 26/09/51 - Martin-Baker, Higher Denham 18/01/52 - Glosters 07/04/52 fitted with F.8 rear fuselage/tail unit and rear cockpit modified for ejection seat trials - Martin-Baker 24/07/52 used in numerous live ejection seat trials - dismantled Chalgrove by late 73 "MBA634" - St.Athan Museum 08/74 - RAFM Cosford 86 - current
WB188 Hawker Hunter F.3 Royal Air Force
Built as Hawker P.1067 - f/f Boscombe Down 20/07/51 - Hawkers - modified to F.3 53 - broke World Speed Record 07/09/53 - broke World Closed-Circuit Speed Record 53 -allocated 7154M 25/10/54 - 1 SoTT Halton 10/11/54 - RAF Melksham by 05/61 gate guard - RAF Colerne Collection 23/06/64 - St.Athan Museum 04/09/75 - RAFM Cosford 86 - Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, W Sussex 19/09/92 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
WD935 English Electric Canberra B.2 Royal Air Force
(RAAF A84-1) - c/n 71015 - Vickers Armstrong 08/05/51 used on various guided weapons trials - BCDU Wittering 11/09/59 - CSE Watton 11/07/60 - 151 Sqn Watton 01/01/62 - 97 Sqn Watton 25/05/63 "Z" - 360 Sqn Watton 02/01/67 - 15 MU 13/09/67 - St.Athan MU 25/11/71 - assembled for fire practice 75, but saved by museum - allocated 8440M 20/03/75 - St.Athan Museum 18/04/75 - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £7,200 - bought by Air Support Aviation for its engines - broken-up on site 17/11/89 - airframe to Wing Spares, Burgess Hill, West Sussex 24/11/89 and reduced to spares - nose section to Coley's scrapyard, Egham, Surrey 91 - Barry Parkhouse, Ottershaw, Surrey 04/03/92 - Derek Leek, Bridgnorth, Shrop. 24/01/94, last noted 05/95 - Birdlip, Gloucs. - Aeroventure, Doncaster, S Yorks. by 05/03 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
WE600 Auster C4 Royal Air Force
Built 51 as T.7 - 20 MU Aston Down 25/05/51 - 663(AOP) Sqn 01/08/51 "L" - Cat.4(R) damage 11/07/54 - Auster for repair 08/09/54 - 9 MU Cosford 26/01/55 - Auster 08/07/55 converted to C.4 for 1956/57 Joint Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition - used in Antarctica 56/57 - 19 MU St.Athan 26/03/58 - allocated 7602M 17/03/59 - 71 MU Bicester RAF Exhibition Flight 14/04/59 RAF Colerne by 10/64 - RAF Gaydon c.07/68 - RAF Finningley c.72 - RAF Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 05/79 - RAFM Cosford 02/89 - current
WH701 English Electric Canberra B.2 Royal Air Force
2 TAF TDU - 1323 Flt - 542 Sqn - 21 Sqn - Stn Flt Upwood - St.Athan 18/08/60 (MU or SoTT ?) - allocated 7659M 08/09/60 - broken-up 11/71 - nose section survived - sometime sectioned (by SoTT ?) - St.Athan Museum by 74 - 2077 Sqn ATC Talbot Green, Glam by 77 "WH791" - "scrapped" by 06/01 - St.Athan VC-10 scrap compound 08/02 - scrapped soon after
WK281 Supermarine Swift FR.5 Royal Air Force
23 MU 05/11/56 - 79 Sqn 10/04/59 "S" - 60 MU 20/01/61 - allocated 7712M 31/01/61 - 14 (Northolt) Sqn ATC, Northolt 07/03/61 - RAFMRC Colerne 06/03/67 - RAF Abingdon 68 for Royal Review - RAF Henlow - RAF Finningley 75 - Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 79 - RAFM Hendon by 10/89 - Cardington, Beds early 95 - Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, W Sussex mid 95 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
WK935 Gloster Meteor F.8 Mod Royal Air Force
Built as F.8 52 - Armstrong Whitworth 12/09/52 converted to prone pilot research aircraft, completed 10/02/53 and flown by AWA - Institute of Aviation Medicine, Farnborough 01/11/54 - 12 MU Kirkbride 20/04/56 - 33 MU Lyneham 15/05/59 - allocated 7869M 11/12/64 - RAFMRC Colerne 12/01/65 - St.Athan Museum 06/10/75 - RAFM Cosford early 77 - current
WL168 Gloster Meteor F.8 Royal Air Force
111 Sqn - 604 Sqn - APS Sylt - allocated 7750M 04/04/62 - 35 MU Heywood 62 - Finningley "WH456" - Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 05/79 - Finningley c.87 for gate guard, unveiled 10/06/88 "WK864/C 616 Sqn" - Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, N.Yorks 12/04/96 - current
WL505 De Havilland Vampire FB.9 Royal Air Force
c/n 22100 - 73 Sqn - RAFC - 19 Sqn - allocated 7705M 29/11/60 - 4 SoTT St.Athan by 09/61 - 30 (Cardiff) Sqn ATC, Ely Barracks - St.Athan Museum by 74 - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £10,200 - Bridgend, South Glam. - Vintage Aircraft Team, Cranfield, Beds by 11/91 - registered G-FBIX 24/07/91 - Gwyn Jones, Bruntingthorpe, Leics by 01/95 - De Havilland Aviation, Bridgend, Mid Glam 07/02/96 - registration cancelled by CAA 17/05/05 - DHA, Bournemouth, Dorset by 10/05 - DS Aviation, Bournemouth by 09/09 - current
WN907 Hawker Hunter F.2 Royal Air Force
5 MU 08/09/54 - RAF Wattisham 31/01/55 - 257 Sqn "H" - 5 MU Kemble 09/04/57 - allocated 7416M 03/05/57 - 12 SoTT Melksham 01/08/57 - RAF Colerne Collection c.07/64 "H 257 Sqn" - St.Athan Museum 20/10/75 - Staravia scrapyard, Ascot, Berks 16/03/76, thought scrapped early 80's
WS843 Gloster Meteor NF(T).14 Royal Air Force
f/f 27/04/54 - 8 MU Little Rissington 12/05/54 - 20 MU Aston Down 12/03/57 - 33 MU Lyneham 01/01/60 - 228 OCU Leeming 04/05/60 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 01/12/60 - various MU's 28/03/61 to 02/63 - 1 ANS Stradishall 12/02/63 - 5 MU Kemble 06/01/66 - allocated 7937M 17/01/67 - St.Athan 13/03/67 - Henlow - St.Athan Museum by 08/74 "64 Sqn Y" - RAFM Hendon 08/04/90 - RAFM Cosford 09/94 store, refurbished 03/04 in 264 Sqn marks - current
WV499 Hunting Provost T.1 Royal Air Force
c/n PAC/F/062 - 6 FTS - allocated 7698M 07/09/60 - 8 SoTT Weeton 60 - 4 SoTT Halton - St.Athan Museum by 74 "P3" - restored as "P-G" - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £16,000 - loan to 39 Restoration Group, North Weald, Essex by mid 91 "G" - Imperial Aviation Group, Sandtoft, Lincs by 10/97 - registered G-BZRF 15/05/01 - Armthorpe, S.Yorks 10/04 - Parkhouse Aviation, Wycombe Air Park, Bucks by 01/05 - registration cancelled by CAA 22/02/05 - Exeter, Devon by 02/06 - Weston Zoyland, Somerset by 12/07 - believed current
WZ662 Auster AOP.9 Royal Air Force
prototype AOP.9 c/n AUS/10/1 - ff 19/03/54 dd 26/06/54 - Auster - A&AEE Boscombe Down 54 - Auster 08/12/54 - Handling Sqn Boscombe Down 29/12/54 - Auster 01/03/55 - 19 MU St Athan 06/04/56 - allocated to Far East Air Force 15/04/58 and shipped Birkenhead to Singapore on SS Ajax 20/05/58 - received at Maintenance Base Seletar 18/10/58 - to 656 Sqn AAC 09/08/58 - 389 MU store 02/12/61 - returned to UK - 19 MU St Athan 24/04/62 - Middle Wallop 15/02/65 - 2 Wg Netheravon 26/07/65 - 19 MU St Athan 30/07/65 - declared non-effective airframe 08/11/68 - to Mr "Dizzy" Addicott, West Clandon, Surrey 15/10/60 - to Toogoods Caravans, Bedminster Down, Bristol and displayed on forecourt - obtained by SWHAPS and housed at the St.Athan Museum by 74 - to WAM 02/76 - to Swansea for restoration by mid 81 - registered G-BKVK 08/08/83 - to Shobdon 12/83 for further restoration and first flown 26 or 27/05/84 - current as G-BKVK
XA312 "VM791" Slingsby Cadet TX.3 Royal Air Force
c/n 854 - GIS Detling 23/03/53 - Home Command GC 01/09/55 - Slingsby 09/10/57 - 12 MU 05/02/58 - 2 GC Newton 08/07/58 - Slingsby 05/06/63 - 634 GS St.Athan 24/10/63 - 636 GS Fairwood Common 11/11/64 - flying accident and Cat.5(c) 13/04/68 - rebuilt as exhibition airframe "VM791" - St.Athan Museum by 09/70 - RAF White Waltham by 02/77 - RAF Coltishall by 09/82 - 135/450 Sqn ATC Kenley c.85 used as travelling exhibit - RAF Manston History Museum by 04/99 - allocated 8876M - current
XD674 Hunting Jet Provost T.1 Royal Air Force
Built 54 as c/n PAC/84/001, f/f 26/06/54, the first basic jet trainer to fly - Huntings - allocated 7570M 10/04/58 - 71 MU Bicester 23/04/58 - RAF Gaydon by 68 - RAF Finningley mid 60's - RAF Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 05/79 - RAFM Cosford 11/85 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
XM602 Avro Vulcan B.2A Royal Air Force
12 Sqn - Cottesmore Wing - Waddington Wing - 230 OCU - 35 Sqn - Waddington Wing - 101 Sqn - St.Athan MU - stored Picketston - St.Athan Museum by 04/84 - 8771M - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £33,000 - bought by London property dealer Robert Lance Hughes - broken-up by 10/92 - nose section for tender 10/93 - 603 Club, Woodford, Gtr Manchester 11/93 - attended the "100 Years of Flight Experience" at Fairford RIAT 07/03 - VTTS, Bruntingthorpe, Leics 11/10/05, crew trainer for XH558 - Museum of Science and Industry, Swinton, Greater Manchester arrived 03/09 - Avro Heritage Museum, Woodford arrived 20/04/13 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
XN341 Saunders Roe Skeeter AOP.12 Army Air Corps
c/n S2/7147 - 15 MU 05/02/60 - 651 Sqn Middle Wallop 28/09/60 - 652 Sqn Detmold 02/08/63 - 3 RTR Fallingbostel by 07/65 - allocated 8022M 03/07/68 - 4 SoTT St.Athan 31/07/68 - St.Athan Museum 12/71 - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £11,000 - Mr Coates, Welwyn Garden City 21/09/89, collected by Helitech (Luton) Ltd late 89 - Helitech, Luton AP, Beds by 08/91 - Stondon Transport Museum and Garden Centre, Lower Stondon, Beds by 03/98 - sold and stored in the Dronton area, Germany
XR243 Auster AOP.9 Royal Air Force
c/n B5/10/180 - awaiting collection 05/01/62 - Advanced Fixed Wing Flt, Middle Wallop 26/01/62 - 19 MU 10/01/67 - declared non-effective airframe 08/11/68 - 2419 Sqn ATC Quedgley, Gloucs 16/10/69 - allocated 8057M 16/10/69 - St.Athan Museum 26/01/74 - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £6,500 - not reported since
XR486 Westland Whirlwind HCC.12 Royal Air Force
c/n WA/418 - Queens Flt Benson 06/05/64 - 15 MU Wroughton 24/07/69 - 32 Sqn Northolt 02/01/70 - St.Athan Museum 09/12/81 - allocated 8727M - tendered for sale 89 and to Tattershall Thorpe, Lincs mid 89 - registered G-RWWW 21/06/90 - restored to fly by 91 - Redhill - The Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare 08/06/00 - current
XS650 Slingsby T.45 Swallow TX.1 Royal Air Force
c/n 1386 - 1 GC Swanton Morley 12/06/63 - renamed CGS 31/12/71 - GSS St.Athan 23/10/79 - 621 GS 09/01/80 - ACCGS 16/12/82 - St.Athan Museum 03/02/84 - allocated 8801M - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £2,200 - to HBX/BGA.3823 and restored to fly
Z7197 Percival Proctor III Royal Air Force
c/n K.386 - 2 SS - 1 RS - 18 EFTS - AST - G-AKZN registered 24/05/48 CofA expired 29/11/63 - RAF Finningley - allocated 8380M 05/09/73 - RAF Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 05/79 - RAFM Hendon by 10/89 - RAFM Reserve Coll., Stafford, Staffs 07/03/02 - current
RAF St.Athans first historic aircraft, the Air Historical Branch owned Junkers 87, arrived in August 1960, probably to take advantage of the manpower and engineering resources available from the based Maintenance Units and School of Technical Training. Indeed, the Painters and Finishers School proved very useful over the coming years, with many aircraft receiving a fresh coat of paint at their hands. One aircraft even received Royal Malaysian Air Force marks courtesy of a course of Malaysian tradesmen.
The collection expanded in the late 60's/early 70's with the emphasis being on World War II types. By January 1974 some 18 aircraft were present, being available for public viewing on the annual Battle of Britain days.
In 1975 defence cuts led to the closure of RAF Colerne in Wiltshire. As well as being an RAF Hercules base the station also housed a very impressive collection of historic aircraft. The collection was dispersed all round the country with St.Athan gaining some 9 aircraft. Further aircraft arrived in 1979 from storage at RAF Swinderby, this being offset by departures to the new Battle of Britain Museum at Hendon.
By January 1982 some 32 aircraft were present, still only available for viewing on one day in September. By January 1984 this had changed, with the Museum being open in the afternoon of the first Sunday of each month. In the mid 80's a rationalisation with the Cosford collection was planned, with St.Athan destined to become the centre for "Axis" aircraft, something it had always been in many respects, but only a few frames changed hands. A further development at this time was the regular ground-running of certain aircraft, most notably the WWII types.
Early in 1988 plans were in place to establish regular viewing weekends but these were put on hold due to the uncertainty of St.Athans future. That uncertainty was well founded with the RAF Historic Aircraft Committee's decision to wind-down the collection starting in mid 1989. Aircraft were dispersed to other collections, notably Cosford and Hendon, with others being auctioned off, the vast majority having gone by the end of 89. Around this time the Committee made another decision that affected the Museum, Spitfire gate guards were to be removed and exchanged for the benefit of the RAF Museum. Some 7 aircraft arrived in late 88/early 89 and were stored, dismantled, in the Museums hangar. All had departed by September 1995.
Over the Collections 20 year history it gained a reputation for the very best restoration work, leaving a legacy that can be seen today in our major aviation museums.
Below is a listing of the Collections aircraft. It does not include the ex gate guard Spitfires. As usual any additions/corrections welcome.
StuC
100503 ? Focke Achgelis Fa.330A-1 Bachstelze Luftwaffe
captured 45 - possibly tested by Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment, Beaulieu late 40's - Aero Club, RAE Farnborough 61/63 - RAFM store Henlow 09/67 - St.Athan Museum by 74 - RAFM Hendon "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display 11/75 - allocated 8469M 13/02/76 - Henlow 06/76 ? - RAFM store Cardington (06/76 ?) - RAFM Cosford c.80 - current
112372 Messerschmidt Me.262A-2a Luftwaffe
history uncertain before capture by RAF - Twenthe, Netherlands 01/06/45 in RAF markings - RAE Farnborough 06/45 - RAF serial VK893 allocated 09/45 - also carried AM51 - RAFC Cranwell Museum by 47 - 71 MU Bicester by 06/61 - RAF Gaydon late 61 repainted as "110800 yellow 7" - RAF Finningley c.72 repainted as "red X" - RAFM Hendon 11/75 "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display - allocated 8482M 16/02/76 - RAFM Cosford c.05/76 - St.Athan Museum 12/85 "4" - RAFM Cosford 23/02/89 - RAFM Hendon 14/07/03 - current
120227 Heinkel He.162A-2 Luftwaffe
Built 04/45 - JG1 Leck - captured 06/05/45 Leck - RAE Farnborough 31/07/45 not flown and dumped by 15/12/46 - AM.65 - RAF serial VN679 allocated 26/11/45 - rescued for display and displayed Squires Gate, Blackpool 11/07/47 - Central Gunnery School, Leconfield by 49 - RAF Melksham by 53 - RAF Colerne Collection c.58 and used as a travelling exhibit, restored 76 "2" - allocated 8472M 13/02/76 - St.Athan Museum 30/03/76 - RAFM Hendon 22/11/89 - current
Pictured in 09/78
16336 Kawasaki Ki.100-1b Japanese Air Force
Built 06/45 - captured Tan Son Nhut, Saigon, Vietnam 08/45 - possibly to Tebrau, Malaya and used by the Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit, South-East Asia - to UK by sea 06/46 to 08/46 - 47 MU Sealand by 02/47 and crated - RAF Stanmore Park by 02/48 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck mid 58 - RAF Colerne 06/60 assembled and repainted - RAF Biggin Hill 09/60 - RAF Finningley 61 - RAF Cosford c.61 repainted 68 "24" - sometime allocated BAPC-83 - allocated 8476M 13/02/76 - St.Athan Museum 13/11/85 restored and engine run regularly - RAFM Cosford c.03/89 repainted 92 (its seventh paint scheme !) - RAFM Hendon 11/11/03 - current
191904 Messerschmidt Me.163B-1a Luftwaffe
II/JG.400 - Husum - Farnborough - AM217 - probably followed a similar pattern as other captured WWII a/c - St.Athan Museum by 77 "25" - allocated 8480M 16/02/76 - Oldenburg, Germany 04/88 - Luftwaffe Museum, Gatow 95 - current
360043 Junkers Ju.88R-1 Luftwaffe
Built 42 "CH+MB" - IV/NJG.3 "D5+EV" - landed RAF Dyce, Aberdeen 09/05/43 with defecting crew - RAE Farnborough 14/05/43 - RAF serial PJ876 allocated 17/05/43 - 1426(EA) Flt Collyweston 06/05/44 - Central Fighter Establishment -Enemy Aircraft Flight Tangmere 04/05/45 "EA-11" - 47 MU Sealand by 05/46 - RAF Stanmore Park c.48 - 125 MU Wroughton c.late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.58 - RAF Biggin Hill 60 - RAF Henlow 06/67 for Battle of Britain film, but not used - St.Athan Museum 08/73 - restored 75 "D5+EV" - allocated 8475M 13/02/76 - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 14/08/78- current
4101 Messerschmidt Bf.109E-4/B Luftwaffe
Built 09/40 "GH+DX" - JG51 "+12" - 6/JG52 "yellow 8" - 2/JG51 Wissant, France "black +12" - attacked by Spitfires over Kent, hit and bellylanded at RAF Manston, Kent 27/11/40 - 49 MU Faygate, W. Sussex - Rolls-Royce, Hucknall for rebuild to fly 14/12/40 ff 25/02/41 - allocated RAF serial DG200 02/41 - deHavilland, Hatfield 08/02/42 - A&AEE Boscombe Down c.02-03/42 - 1426 (Enemy Aircraft) Flt, Duxford 24/03/42 - 16 MU Stafford c.09/43 - 52 MU Cardiff c.08/44 - RAF Stanmore Park c.47 "12+GH" - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck mid 58 - RAF Biggin Hill 60 - RAF Chivenor 12/08/69 - St.Athan Museum 09/69 refurbished by 4 SoTT 70/71 "black 12" - RAFM Hendon c.11/75 "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display - 8477M allocated 16/02/76 - St.Athan Museum c.05/76 - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 05/78 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
420430 Messerschmidt Me.410A-1/U2 Luftwaffe
Built late 43 "PD+VO" - "3U+AK" - I/ZG.26 "3U+CC" - captured Vaerlose, Denmark 05/45 - painted as "Air Min V-2" - flown to Kastrup 20/08/45 force landed with one engine on fire - flown to Schleswig 03/10/45 - flown to RAE Farnborough 13/10/45 - AM.72 - 6 MU Brize Norton 28/12/45 - 76 MU Wroughton 14/08/46 - 47 MU Sealand - RAF Stanmore Park 49 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.58 - RAF Cosford early 60 "CC" - RAFM Hendon c.11/75 "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display - RAFM Cosford c.06/76 - allocated 8483M 16/02/76 - St.Athan Museum 20/11/85 - RAFM Cosford 20/12/89 - current
475081 Fiesler Fi.156C-7 Storch Luftwaffe
Built in Czechoslovakia 44 - "GM+AK" - "RR+KE" - captured Flensburg 05/45 - RAE Farnborough 05/09/45 - AM101 - allocated RAF serial VP546 26/04/46 - allocated 7362M 26/07/56 as GIA - 1 SoTT Halton 03/08/56 declared unsuitable - 49 MU Colerne 08/56 - 15 MU Wroughton 18/10/56 - RAF Fulbeck 58 - RAF Finningley c.60 - RAF Bircham Newton by 03/61 - RAF Coltishall c.63 - St.Athan Museum 06/73 - under restoration 75 - "GM+AK" - RAFM Cosford 06/04/89 - current
494083 Junkers Ju.87G-2 Stuka Luftwaffe
Built 43/44 as Ju-87D-5 (possibly with werke number 2883) - modified to Ju-87G-2 (possibly gaining werke number 494083) - captured c.05/45 "RI+JK" - Eggebek, departed by road to UK 04/09/45 - 47 MU Sealand 01/46 - RAF Stanmore Park c.47/48 - 15 MU Wroughton c.late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.mid 58 - St.Athan 08/60 (the first historic a/c to be allocated) - RAF Henlow by 03/67 for use in Battle of Britain film "W8+A" - St.Athan Museum by 09/69 - repainted 75 "RI+JK" - RAFM Hendon c.11/75 "Wings of the Eagle" temporary display - allocated 8474M 13/02/76 - St.Athan Museum by 09/76 - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 78 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
501 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF Hungarian Air Force
c/n 760501 - d/d 64 - donated to RAFBF and delivered to Farnborough 24/08/90 in a Heavylift Belfast - auctioned 13/09/90 high bid £35,000 - St.Athan Museum 06/06/91 - IWM, Duxford, Cambs 02/11/97 - current
5439 Mitsubishi Ki.46 Dinah III Japanese Air Force
Built c.42 - 81 Sentai - captured at Kuruan, Malaya 45 - flown to Seletar, Singapore c.02/46 - RAF HQ Singapore 46 "29" - Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit (South East Asia), Tebrau 46 - shipped to UK 06/46-08/46 - 47 MU Sealand 26/01/47 crated - RAF Stanmore Park by 01/48 - 15 MU Lyneham late 55 - RAF Fulbeck mid 58 - RAF Finningley 61 - RAF Biggin Hill 63 - RAFM store, Henlow 68/69 - St.Athan Museum 70 - sometime allocated BAPC-84 - allocated 8484M 17/02/76 - RAFM Cosford 03/89 - fuselage to Cardington for repaint 17/12/92 - RAFM Cosford 06/93 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
584219 Focke Wulf Fw.190A-8/U1 Luftwaffe
Built as standard FW190F-8 44 - converted to two-seat in Poland late 44 - captured Grove (Karup), Denmark 05/45 "black 38" - Schleswig, Germany - RAE Farnborough 02/09/45 - AM29 - 6 MU Brize Norton 05/09/45 - 76 MU Wroughton 17/07/46 - (47 MU RAF Sealand late 46 unconfirmed) - RAF Stanmore Park by 49 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.mid 58 - RAF Henlow by 02/61 - St.Athan Museum c.09/70 refurbished 72/73 "black 38" - allocated 8470M 13/02/76 - RAFM Hendon 30/11/89 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
701152 Heinkel He.111H-20 Luftwaffe
Built 44 "NT+SL" - captured 05/45 and allocated to USAAF - flown to Cherbourg for shipment to USA, but insufficient space on ship - 56 FG USAAF Boxted 02/07/45 and painted in 61 FS colours as "HV-O" - flown to RAF North Weald 12/09/45 on return of 56 FG to USA - Heston 14/10/45 - Farnborough 03/11/45, in scrap area by 15/12/46 - 47 MU Sealand 19/05/47 - RAF Stanmore Park c.48 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.58 - RAF Biggin Hill 60 - RAF Henlow c.05/67 for Battle of Britain film - St.Athan Museum 09/69 - allocated 8471M 13/02/76 - to 5 MU Kemble 78 for repaint "NT+SL" - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 05/78 - current
730301 Messerschmidt Bf.110G-4/R6 Luftwaffe
I/NJG.3 "D5+RL" - captured Grove (Karup), Denmark 05/45 - Schleswig, Germany 01/08/45 - RAE Farnborough 03/08/45 - AM34 - 6 MU Brize Norton 05/09/45 - 76 MU Wroughton 14/08/46 - (47 MU RAF Sealand late 46 unconfirmed) - RAF Stanmore Park by 49 - RAF Andover c.49 - 15 MU Wroughton by 07/57 - RAF Fulbeck c.58 - RAF Church Fenton 60 - RAF Biggin Hill by 09/60 "OL" - RAF Henlow by late 60's - St.Athan Museum 08/73 - allocated 8479M 16/02/76 - restored 76 "D5+RL" - - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 07/08/78 - current
A-522 FMA IA.58A Pucara Argentinian Air Force
Grupo 3 de Ataque - flown to Falkland Islands 05/82 - captured at Stanley AP, Falkland Islands 14/06/82 - to UK by sea 06/09/82 to 23/09/82 on "Contender Bezant" - Abingdon 26/09/82 - allocated 8768M 27/09/82 - St.Athan Museum 25/10/82 - FAA Museum, Yeovilton 08/12/82 - loaned to North East Air Museum, Sunderland, Northumberland 22/07/94 - current
BAPC-38 Bristol Scout static external replica Royal Flying Corps
Built 62 by RAF Weeton apprentices with a genuine Gnome engine - "A1742" - RAF Colerne Collection - St.Athan Museum by 09/74 - RAF St.Mawgan c.87 - Avon stored - ARCo, Duxford, Cambs mid 93 - TDL Replicas, Lowestoft, Norfolk by early 97 - Lorch Airways, Norwich, Norfolk 97 - Solihull, W Mids 11/97 restoration - Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden arrived 17/05/09 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
BAPC-41 RAF BE.2C static external replica Royal Flying Corps
Built 62 by apprentices of 1 SoTT Halton - "6232" - St.Athan Museum by 09/70 - Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, N Yorks 10/94 - current
BAPC-42 Avro 504K static external replica Royal Flying Corps
Built 68 by apprentices of 1 SoTT Halton - "H1968" - St.Athan Museum by 09/74 - Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, N Yorks 10/94 - current
BAPC-47 Watkins CHW Monoplane
Designed and built by Mr. C.H.Watkins, with help from a couple of friends, at Mynachdy Farm, Maendy, Cardiff from 1907 until at least 1909, for a cost of £300. It was christened "Robin Goch" (Red Robin). Mr.Watkins claimed that it made its first hop from the farm in 1909 and his first cross country flight to a ridge on Caerphilly Mountain in 1910. Aviation experts would put the dates of both of these events probably a year or two later. The Watkins was powered by a three cylinder piston engine of 40 h.p. designed and cast by Mr.Watkins at the Cardiff Railway works. The aircraft flew extensively up to 1918, when a cracked cylinder head grounded it, and was well known to locals. It was placed into store. It reappeared briefly in 1943 at the "Wings for Victory" exhibitions staged in Cardiff and Swansea. It returned to store until 1959 when an Officer from RAF St.Athan persuaded Mr.Watkins to display the aircraft at St.Athan - loaned to St.Athan Museum 59 - to storage in Cardiff sometime after 06/91 - National Museum of Wales, Cardiff 01/98 - Collection Centre, Nantgarw by 02/04 - National Waterfront Museum, Swansea by 08/07 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
BAPC-59 Sopwith Camel static external replica Royal Flying Corps
RAF Colerne Collection "F1921" -"D3419" - St.Athan Museum by 09/74 - RAF St.Mawgan c.87 - St.Athan Museum by 06/91 - RAFM Cosford 09/94 "B5577 W" - Museum of Flight, East Fortune 26/11/02 - Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, Montrose by 06/06 - current
BAPC-92 Fiesler Fi.103 (V-1) Luftwaffe
captured 45 - early history unknown - Henlow - St.Athan Museum by 74 - Cardington by 11/88 for restoration - RAFM Hendon by 03/90 - current
BAPC-99 Mitsubishi Ohka II Japanese Air Force
Built 44/45 - captured 45 - RAE Rocket Propulsion Research Establishment, Westcott, Bucks by 04/63 - RAFM Cosford c.76 - sometime allocated BAPC-99 - allocated 8486M 17/02/76 - St.Athan Museum 82 for refurbish - RAFM Cosford by 83 - current
BGA907 Kranich IIB-1 Glider Swedish Air Force
c/n 075 built in 1944 for the Swedish Air Force as Fv8214. After WW2 it became SE-SPT and was owned by a Swedish pilot, Bengt Micrander. At some stage it was sold to a Mr Keuhling, an elderly German glider pilot living in South Wales. Its last flight was probably during 1967, without a CofA, before it entered storage, suffering some damage and deterioration through damp. At some time Mr Keuhling gave it to a Warrant Officer at RAF St Athan and it was first seen in the Museum in 09/74. In 11/75 it was taken to RAF Locking, Weston-Super-Mare by Corporal Tommy Boyle of 'the Glider Servicing Section. The machine did not seem to be in a hopelessly bad condition, all components were there including the 4-piece canopy, but one wing tip was damaged and fittings were corroded. In the late 70's it was sold to David Braham of the Russavia Collection, who stored it at Duxford with the intention of restoring it into Swedish Air Force colours. This didn't happen and it was sold to Germany. In November 2024 it was reported as being on rebuild to fly at Strausberg Airfield, Germany.
BL614 Supermarine Spitfire Vb Royal Air Force
Built 41 c/n CBAF.1646 - 8 MU Little Rissington 04/01/42 - 611 Sqn Drem 07/02/42 "FY-?" - 242 Sqn Drem 02/06/42 "KV-?" - 222 Sqn Drem 11/08/42 "ZD-F" - 64 Sqn Ayr 31/03/43 "SH-V" - 118 Sqn Peterhead 25/09/43 "NK-E" - 3501 SU Cranfield 02/11/43 - 2 SoTT Cosford 23/11/43 - allocated 4354M c.12/43 but painted as "M4353" (AB871) - 6 SoTT Hednesford 06/12/43 - 7 Recruits Centre Bridgnorth 20/04/48 - RAF Credenhill 03/03/55 for gate guard, repainted 64 as "AB871 SH-S" - Henlow 26/10/67 for Battle of Britain film, repainted no marks - used for filming at North Weald, Duxford and Hawkinge wearing various serials/codes - Henlow 09/68 and renovated "AB871" - RAF Wattisham 16/09/69 - RAFMRC Colerne 27/09/72 restored 74 "BL614 ZD-F 222 Sqn" - St.Athan Museum 28/08/75 - Abingdon 08/01/80 to help in rebuild of AB910 - St.Athan Museum by 09/81 - Manchester Air & Space Museum 07/12/82 - Medway Aircraft Preservation Society Ltd, Rochester, Kent 03/95 for restoration "ZD-F 222 Sqn" - RAFM Hendon 20/10/97 - current
EE549 Gloster Meteor IV Special Royal Air Force
Built 46 - RAF High Speed Flight 08/08/46 - set a new World Speed Record of 615.78 mph 07/09/46 - Glosters 03/10/46 - FCCS 29/05/47 "MR-J" - CFE 24/03/48 - RAFC Cranwell Museum 10/06/52 - allocated 7008M 12/01/53 - RAF Fulbeck 04/06/58 - RAF Innsworth 03/61 - 19 MU St.Athan 11/04/67 for restoration - RAFM Hendon 11/71 - Abingdon 09/80 - St.Athan Museum by 09/81 - RAFM Cosford 86 - Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, W Sussex 19/09/92 - current
G-AEEH Henri Mignet HM.14 Pou du Ciel
Built by E.G.Davis, Bath, Somerset 35/36 c/n EGD.1 - registered 13/03/36 - ff 05/11/36 Whitchurch, Bristol - wfu 15/05/38, engine sold and airframe stored in a garage in Bath - registration cancelled 08/46 - spotted by a pilot from Colerne who arranged a donation to the Museum - RAF Colerne Collection 66 later fitted with motorcycle engine - St.Athan Museum late 75 - allocated BAPC-47 - RAFM Cosford by 12/92 - current
G-ASPX Campbell Bensen B-8M Gyrocopter
c/n CA/204 - registered 09/03/64 - Commander L.D.Goldsmith - RAF Colerne Collection loan - St.Athan Museum late 75 - Dick Williams, Oxon 06/09/82 - crashed 16/11/89 on the beach at Morfa Bychan, Wales killing the pilot - registration cancelled 16/07/90
G-AVXV Bleriot XI
c/n 225 Built 1910 with 3 cylinder Anzani of 24 h.p. - Camille Amand - Jules Dupont (aged 15) purchased in damaged condition, restored in Liege and flown extensively up until the war - confiscated by the Germans in 1915 - sold to Edmond Graindorge, Ampsin, Belgium postwar and stored - acquired by Commander L.D.Goldsmith 60's - moved to Old Warden and restored by the Shuttleworth Trust and Southdown Aero Services - first flown 66 and registered G-AVXV 02/11/67 - to RAF Colerne Collection on loan - to St.Athan Museum late 75 - BAPC-104 - IWM Duxford by 09/86 - Hatch, Beds c.88 and restored to fly, ff from Old Warden 16/06/89 - attempted cross channel flight France-England on 25/07/89 but ditched not far from English coast, salvaged and returned to Hatch for rebuild - registration cancelled 16/07/92 - to France 92 - registered F-AZIN - Musee Aeronautique Presqu'ile Cote d'Amour, La Baule - current
K4972 Hawker Hart Royal Air Force
2 FTS Digby 12/11/35 - 2 FTS Brize Norton 07/09/37 - 24 MU Ternhill 13/06/38 - 12 MU Kirkbride 08/09/39 - allocated 1764M 22/01/40 - 22 MU Silloth 31/12/42 - 1546 Sqn ATC Wigton, Cumberland 22/09/43 - 17/03/62 dismantled frame found in loft of outbuilding at Nelson-Tomlinson School, Wigton - 10/11/62 recovered from loft to Carlisle AP - RAFM Henlow 10/63 - St.Athan Museum 01/68 restored by 1 SoTT & 32 MU - RAFM Hendon 72 - RAFM Cardington 06/87 restored - RAFM Cosford 01/06/92 - RAFM Hendon 13/11/02 - current
K-88 Goodyear ZPK-88 Airship Gondola United States Navy
Built 43 - ZP-3 Fortaleza, Brazil 10/43 - Sqn moved to Sao Luiz, Brazil 01/44 - to USA c.45 - Florida swamp - NMNA Pensacola, used as spares ship in restoration of K-47 - Airship Heritage Trust, Cardington, Beds 91 - St.Athan Museum 05/91 for restoration then stored - Newbury, Berks by 03/02 - RAF Millom and Militaria Museum, Haverigg, Cumbria loaned 01/08 - current
L5343 Fairey Battle I Royal Air Force
24 MU Stoke Heath 09/09/39 - 266 Sqn Sutton Bridge 09/12/39 - 20 MU Aston Down 24/02/40 - 98 Sqn Gatwick 13/07/40 - Sqn moved to Kaldadarnes, Iceland 08/40 - force landed south of Hosjökull glacier, Iceland 13/09/40 after engine failure, burnt by recovery crew, destroying most of fuselage - recovered 72 by team from RAF Leeming - RAF Leeming 73, restoration started - RAF Henlow 76 - St.Athan Museum 83 - restored using parts from P2183 - RAFM Hendon 03/90 "VO-S" - Medway Aircraft Preservation Society Ltd, Rochester, Kent 01/06 for restoration - RAFM Cosford arrived 19/10/08 - current
MK356 Supermarine Spitfire IX Royal Air Force
c/n CBAF.IX.1561 - 9 MU Cosford 04/02/44 - 443 Sqn Digby 11/03/44 "21-V" - 84 GSU Bognor 08/44 - 1 SoTT Halton 02/10/45 - allocated 5690M - RAF Hawkinge 53 "M5690", "MK365" - 71 MU Bicester early 62 "MK356 2J" - RAF Locking 62 gate guard - Henlow 67 for Battle of Britain film, also used at North Weald & Duxford with various serials/codes - St.Athan Museum 18/08/69 restored "443 Sqn 21-V" - Abingdon 08/89 for restoration to fly - St.Athan by 07/92 for continuing restoration - f/f 07/11/97 by Sqn Ldr Paul Day - to BBMF Coningsby 14/11/97 - current
MK732 Supermarine Spitfire LF.IXc Royal Air Force
c/n CBAF.IX.1732 - 39 MU Colerne 08/03/44 - 485 Sqn Selsey ALG 25/04/44 - 39 MU Colerne 09/01/45 - allocated to Royal Netherlands Air Force 22/04/47 - ToC 09/06/48 as H-25 - to Netherlands 27/06/48, Twenthe AB - stored Leeuwarden 13/07/48 - Fighter Pilot School, Twenthe 31/03/49 - recoded 06-51 "3W-17" - stored Soesterburg 09/53 - SoC 04/06/54 - Eindhoven as decoy 01/07/54 - dumped by 56 - "stolen" by 14 Sqn RAF and moved to RAF Oldenburg, Germany 56, restored as MK732 with invasion stripes and presented to 124 Wing RAF - RAF Ahlhorn, Germany 57 - RAF Gutersloh 60 - airfreighted to Brize Norton 27/06/69 in Belfast XR366 - 72 MU St.Athan 10/07/69 - Bicester 03/12/70 - BBMF Coltishall 23/10/74 as spares source - Coningsby BBMF spares source - St.Athan Museum by 06/79 - 8633M allocated 26/06/79 - Abingdon by 09/80 to help in rebuild of AB910 - St.Athan Museum 12/11/80 very poor condition - presented to 322 Sqn, Royal Netherlands Air Force Gilze-Rijen 30/08/83 - Aviodome Museum store, Badhoevedorp 13/04/84 - Gilze-Rijen store 29/11/85 - to Steve Atkins, UK, in exchange for plastic replica Spitfire 05/89 - sold to Dutch Spitfire Flight, Netherlands 12/90 - registered G-HVDM 18/01/91 - fuselage restored at Deelen, wings in UK and engine in Netherlands - tarnsported to Lydd, Kent for final assembly and first flown 10/06/93 as "MK732/H-25/Baby Bea V" - "MK732/OU-U/Baby Bea V" - RNLAF Historical Flight, Gilze-Rijen AB 04/10/94 - G-HVDM cancelled 03/10/00 - registered PH-OUQ 20/10/00 "MK732/3W-17" - current
MM5701 Fiat CR-42 Italian Air Force
Built c.40 - 95 SCT Maldegheim, Belgium "95-13" - force landed at Orfordness 11/11/40 due to a broken oil pipe causing an overheated engine on a bombing raid to Harwich - RAE Farnborough 27/11/40 - allocated RAF serial BT474 11/40 - AFDU Duxford 28/04/41 - 16 MU Stafford by 08/43 - 52 MU Cardiff 09/11/44 - 76 MU Wroughton c.12/44 - (47 MU RAF Sealand 08/46 unconfirmed) - RAF Stanmore Park by 49 - 15 MU Wroughton late 55 - RAF Fulbeck c.mid 58 - 49 MU Colerne c.06/60 for refurbish - RAF Biggin Hill c.60 - St.Athan Museum 68 - complete restoration 73/74 "95-13" - allocated 8468M 13/02/76 - to Battle of Britain Museum, Hendon 10/78 - current
N1671 Boulton Paul Defiant I Royal Air Force
6 MU Brize Norton 07/08/40 - 307 Sqn Kirton-in-Lindsey 17/09/40 - 153 Sqn Ballyhalbert 30/10/41 - 285 Sqn Wrexham 22/06/42 - 10 MU Hullavington 16/05/43 - 52 MU Cardiff 08/09/44 - 82 MU Lichfield c.12/44 - 76 MU Wroughton by 02/46 - RAF Stanmore Park c.46 - 15 MU Wroughton by 12/55 - RAF Fulbeck by 58 - St.Athan Museum by 09/61 refurbished 67 "EW-D" - RAF Abingdon 06/68 for Royal Review - RAF Finningley 23/07/68 - RAFM Hendon 01/04/71 - allocated 8370M 05/09/73 - MAPS Rochester for restoration arrived 22/04/09 - current
N248 "S1596" Supermarine S.6A Royal Air Force
Built 29 as S.6 - Schneider Trophy 09/29 - modified to S.6A 31 - Schneider Trophy 09/31 "4" - stored 31 - used in film "The First of the Few" 42 painted as S.6B "S1596" - stored - Southampton Corporation 46 and displayed on the Royal Pier still as "S1596" - RAF Henlow 66 - St.Athan Museum by 09/71 - RAF Henlow - R.J.Mitchell Hall Southampton 07/02/76 - repainted in original scheme and with correct serial - BHC, Cowes c.83 refit - Southampton Hall of Aviation 83 - current
P2183 Fairey Battle I Royal Air Force
12 Sqn - 150 Sqn - 218 Sqn - shot down near Nouvion-sur-Meuse, Ardennes 12/05/40 - what happened next is unknown, but an aircraft with this quoted serial number emerges - Canada - RAF Henlow by 07/77 - St.Athan Museum 83 - consumed in restoration of L5343
RW386 Supermarine Spitfire LF.16 Royal Air Force
c/n CBAF.IX.4644 - 6 MU Brize Norton 02/08/45 - 604 Sqn Hendon 25/03/47 "RAK-?", "NG-D", to GIA 24/08/49 - RAFTC Lindholme 03/03/50 - EARC Debden 15/11/50 "TDE-C", "S-C" - 58 MU Skellingthorpe by 01/52 - allocated 6944M 14/01/52 - RAF Honington by 17/01/52 - RAF Halton as gateguard 29/08/57 - "RF114 4D-Z", "RW386 EH", "RAK-A" - St.Athan Museum by 08/80 - Doug Arnold, Blackbushe by 06/82 - registered G-BXVI 27/12/84 - Bitteswell, Leics 85 - Biggin Hill, Kent c.88 - Audley End, Essex c.91 departed 92 - North Weald, Essex by 11/97 crated - Greenham Common, Berks by 02/04 - Historic Flying Ltd, Duxford, Cambs 07/07/05 restored to fly, ff 02/03/07 "RW386 NG-D" - to SE-BIR 05/07 - to Sweden 29/05/07 - current
TJ138 De Havilland Mosquito TT.35 Royal Air Force
Built 45 as B.35 - 27 MU Shawbury 28/08/45 - 98 Sqn Celle 31/10/50 "VO-L" - 38 MU Llandow 20/02/51 - Brooklands Avn Sywell 15/07/53 and converted to TT.35 - 22 MU Silloth 18/01/54 - 5 CAACU Llanbedr 08/03/54 "Z" - 27 MU Shawbury 09/06/59 - allocated 7607M 08/07/59 - 71 MU Bicester 29/07/59 - RAF Thorney Island 26/05/60 - RAF Hullavington by 65 "VO-L" - RAFMRC Colerne 01/67 - RAF Finningley 17/10/75 - RAF Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 11/86 repainted 91 "VO-L" - RAFM Hendon 07/02/92 - current
VP952 De Havilland Devon C.2/2 Royal Air Force
Built as C.1 c/n 04048 47 - Handling Sqn Hullavington 10/10/47 - TCMSU Honington 19/11/47 - Hendon Stn Flt 08/02/49 "CB-A" - TCCF Upavon 02/05/51 - AAFCE 08/09/53 - MCCF Andover 10/11/53 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 20/04/55 - HCCS 11/08/55 - HQBCCS Booker 10/10/55 - MCS Hendon 10/11/05 - TCCF 01/01/62 - Upavon Stn Flt 08/07/63 - SCS 06/11/64 - WCS Andover 03/02/69 - renamed 21 Sqn 69 - Hawker Siddeley Chester 25/09/70 and converted to C.2/2 - 21 Sqn Andover 18/03/71 - 207 Sqn Northolt 29/05/74 - St.Athan Museum by air 05/07/84 - allocated 8820M - RAFM Cosford 02/86 - current
VV106 Supermarine S.510 Royal Navy
ff 28/12/48 Boscombe Down - 08/11/50 first landing of a swept wing aircraft on a carrier deck - RAE Farnborough 14/11/52 - allocated 7175M 17/01/55 - 1 SoTT Halton 17/01/55 - 2 RC Cardington 20/06/61 - RAF Colerne Collection 09/06/64 - St.Athan Museum 29/09/75 - Cosford RAFMRC 01/77 - Lee-on-Solent FAAM store 03/05/90 - Wroughton FAAM store 15/02/95 - FAAM Cobham Hall store, Yeovilton 24/11/99 - current
VX272 Hawker P.1052 Royal Navy
ff 19/11/48 Boscombe Down - RAE Farnborough 26/06/49 - allocated 7174M 14/01/55 - 1 SoTT Halton 08/02/55 - 2 RC Cardington 20/06/61 - RAF Colerne Collection 09/06/64 - St.Athan Museum 08/09/75 - Cosford RAFMRC 01/77 - Lee-on-Solent FAAM store 03/05/90 - Wroughton FAAM store 15/02/95 - FAAM Cobham Hall store, Yeovilton 24/11/99 - current
WA634 Gloster Meteor T.7/8 hybrid Royal Air Force
Glosters, Moreton Valence 10/11/49 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 07/03/51 - Glosters 26/09/51 - Martin-Baker, Higher Denham 18/01/52 - Glosters 07/04/52 fitted with F.8 rear fuselage/tail unit and rear cockpit modified for ejection seat trials - Martin-Baker 24/07/52 used in numerous live ejection seat trials - dismantled Chalgrove by late 73 "MBA634" - St.Athan Museum 08/74 - RAFM Cosford 86 - current
WB188 Hawker Hunter F.3 Royal Air Force
Built as Hawker P.1067 - f/f Boscombe Down 20/07/51 - Hawkers - modified to F.3 53 - broke World Speed Record 07/09/53 - broke World Closed-Circuit Speed Record 53 -allocated 7154M 25/10/54 - 1 SoTT Halton 10/11/54 - RAF Melksham by 05/61 gate guard - RAF Colerne Collection 23/06/64 - St.Athan Museum 04/09/75 - RAFM Cosford 86 - Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, W Sussex 19/09/92 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
WD935 English Electric Canberra B.2 Royal Air Force
(RAAF A84-1) - c/n 71015 - Vickers Armstrong 08/05/51 used on various guided weapons trials - BCDU Wittering 11/09/59 - CSE Watton 11/07/60 - 151 Sqn Watton 01/01/62 - 97 Sqn Watton 25/05/63 "Z" - 360 Sqn Watton 02/01/67 - 15 MU 13/09/67 - St.Athan MU 25/11/71 - assembled for fire practice 75, but saved by museum - allocated 8440M 20/03/75 - St.Athan Museum 18/04/75 - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £7,200 - bought by Air Support Aviation for its engines - broken-up on site 17/11/89 - airframe to Wing Spares, Burgess Hill, West Sussex 24/11/89 and reduced to spares - nose section to Coley's scrapyard, Egham, Surrey 91 - Barry Parkhouse, Ottershaw, Surrey 04/03/92 - Derek Leek, Bridgnorth, Shrop. 24/01/94, last noted 05/95 - Birdlip, Gloucs. - Aeroventure, Doncaster, S Yorks. by 05/03 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
WE600 Auster C4 Royal Air Force
Built 51 as T.7 - 20 MU Aston Down 25/05/51 - 663(AOP) Sqn 01/08/51 "L" - Cat.4(R) damage 11/07/54 - Auster for repair 08/09/54 - 9 MU Cosford 26/01/55 - Auster 08/07/55 converted to C.4 for 1956/57 Joint Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition - used in Antarctica 56/57 - 19 MU St.Athan 26/03/58 - allocated 7602M 17/03/59 - 71 MU Bicester RAF Exhibition Flight 14/04/59 RAF Colerne by 10/64 - RAF Gaydon c.07/68 - RAF Finningley c.72 - RAF Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 05/79 - RAFM Cosford 02/89 - current
WH701 English Electric Canberra B.2 Royal Air Force
2 TAF TDU - 1323 Flt - 542 Sqn - 21 Sqn - Stn Flt Upwood - St.Athan 18/08/60 (MU or SoTT ?) - allocated 7659M 08/09/60 - broken-up 11/71 - nose section survived - sometime sectioned (by SoTT ?) - St.Athan Museum by 74 - 2077 Sqn ATC Talbot Green, Glam by 77 "WH791" - "scrapped" by 06/01 - St.Athan VC-10 scrap compound 08/02 - scrapped soon after
WK281 Supermarine Swift FR.5 Royal Air Force
23 MU 05/11/56 - 79 Sqn 10/04/59 "S" - 60 MU 20/01/61 - allocated 7712M 31/01/61 - 14 (Northolt) Sqn ATC, Northolt 07/03/61 - RAFMRC Colerne 06/03/67 - RAF Abingdon 68 for Royal Review - RAF Henlow - RAF Finningley 75 - Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 79 - RAFM Hendon by 10/89 - Cardington, Beds early 95 - Military Aviation Museum, Tangmere, W Sussex mid 95 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
WK935 Gloster Meteor F.8 Mod Royal Air Force
Built as F.8 52 - Armstrong Whitworth 12/09/52 converted to prone pilot research aircraft, completed 10/02/53 and flown by AWA - Institute of Aviation Medicine, Farnborough 01/11/54 - 12 MU Kirkbride 20/04/56 - 33 MU Lyneham 15/05/59 - allocated 7869M 11/12/64 - RAFMRC Colerne 12/01/65 - St.Athan Museum 06/10/75 - RAFM Cosford early 77 - current
WL168 Gloster Meteor F.8 Royal Air Force
111 Sqn - 604 Sqn - APS Sylt - allocated 7750M 04/04/62 - 35 MU Heywood 62 - Finningley "WH456" - Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 05/79 - Finningley c.87 for gate guard, unveiled 10/06/88 "WK864/C 616 Sqn" - Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, N.Yorks 12/04/96 - current
WL505 De Havilland Vampire FB.9 Royal Air Force
c/n 22100 - 73 Sqn - RAFC - 19 Sqn - allocated 7705M 29/11/60 - 4 SoTT St.Athan by 09/61 - 30 (Cardiff) Sqn ATC, Ely Barracks - St.Athan Museum by 74 - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £10,200 - Bridgend, South Glam. - Vintage Aircraft Team, Cranfield, Beds by 11/91 - registered G-FBIX 24/07/91 - Gwyn Jones, Bruntingthorpe, Leics by 01/95 - De Havilland Aviation, Bridgend, Mid Glam 07/02/96 - registration cancelled by CAA 17/05/05 - DHA, Bournemouth, Dorset by 10/05 - DS Aviation, Bournemouth by 09/09 - current
WN907 Hawker Hunter F.2 Royal Air Force
5 MU 08/09/54 - RAF Wattisham 31/01/55 - 257 Sqn "H" - 5 MU Kemble 09/04/57 - allocated 7416M 03/05/57 - 12 SoTT Melksham 01/08/57 - RAF Colerne Collection c.07/64 "H 257 Sqn" - St.Athan Museum 20/10/75 - Staravia scrapyard, Ascot, Berks 16/03/76, thought scrapped early 80's
WS843 Gloster Meteor NF(T).14 Royal Air Force
f/f 27/04/54 - 8 MU Little Rissington 12/05/54 - 20 MU Aston Down 12/03/57 - 33 MU Lyneham 01/01/60 - 228 OCU Leeming 04/05/60 - A&AEE Boscombe Down 01/12/60 - various MU's 28/03/61 to 02/63 - 1 ANS Stradishall 12/02/63 - 5 MU Kemble 06/01/66 - allocated 7937M 17/01/67 - St.Athan 13/03/67 - Henlow - St.Athan Museum by 08/74 "64 Sqn Y" - RAFM Hendon 08/04/90 - RAFM Cosford 09/94 store, refurbished 03/04 in 264 Sqn marks - current
WV499 Hunting Provost T.1 Royal Air Force
c/n PAC/F/062 - 6 FTS - allocated 7698M 07/09/60 - 8 SoTT Weeton 60 - 4 SoTT Halton - St.Athan Museum by 74 "P3" - restored as "P-G" - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £16,000 - loan to 39 Restoration Group, North Weald, Essex by mid 91 "G" - Imperial Aviation Group, Sandtoft, Lincs by 10/97 - registered G-BZRF 15/05/01 - Armthorpe, S.Yorks 10/04 - Parkhouse Aviation, Wycombe Air Park, Bucks by 01/05 - registration cancelled by CAA 22/02/05 - Exeter, Devon by 02/06 - Weston Zoyland, Somerset by 12/07 - believed current
WZ662 Auster AOP.9 Royal Air Force
prototype AOP.9 c/n AUS/10/1 - ff 19/03/54 dd 26/06/54 - Auster - A&AEE Boscombe Down 54 - Auster 08/12/54 - Handling Sqn Boscombe Down 29/12/54 - Auster 01/03/55 - 19 MU St Athan 06/04/56 - allocated to Far East Air Force 15/04/58 and shipped Birkenhead to Singapore on SS Ajax 20/05/58 - received at Maintenance Base Seletar 18/10/58 - to 656 Sqn AAC 09/08/58 - 389 MU store 02/12/61 - returned to UK - 19 MU St Athan 24/04/62 - Middle Wallop 15/02/65 - 2 Wg Netheravon 26/07/65 - 19 MU St Athan 30/07/65 - declared non-effective airframe 08/11/68 - to Mr "Dizzy" Addicott, West Clandon, Surrey 15/10/60 - to Toogoods Caravans, Bedminster Down, Bristol and displayed on forecourt - obtained by SWHAPS and housed at the St.Athan Museum by 74 - to WAM 02/76 - to Swansea for restoration by mid 81 - registered G-BKVK 08/08/83 - to Shobdon 12/83 for further restoration and first flown 26 or 27/05/84 - current as G-BKVK
XA312 "VM791" Slingsby Cadet TX.3 Royal Air Force
c/n 854 - GIS Detling 23/03/53 - Home Command GC 01/09/55 - Slingsby 09/10/57 - 12 MU 05/02/58 - 2 GC Newton 08/07/58 - Slingsby 05/06/63 - 634 GS St.Athan 24/10/63 - 636 GS Fairwood Common 11/11/64 - flying accident and Cat.5(c) 13/04/68 - rebuilt as exhibition airframe "VM791" - St.Athan Museum by 09/70 - RAF White Waltham by 02/77 - RAF Coltishall by 09/82 - 135/450 Sqn ATC Kenley c.85 used as travelling exhibit - RAF Manston History Museum by 04/99 - allocated 8876M - current
XD674 Hunting Jet Provost T.1 Royal Air Force
Built 54 as c/n PAC/84/001, f/f 26/06/54, the first basic jet trainer to fly - Huntings - allocated 7570M 10/04/58 - 71 MU Bicester 23/04/58 - RAF Gaydon by 68 - RAF Finningley mid 60's - RAF Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 05/79 - RAFM Cosford 11/85 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
XM602 Avro Vulcan B.2A Royal Air Force
12 Sqn - Cottesmore Wing - Waddington Wing - 230 OCU - 35 Sqn - Waddington Wing - 101 Sqn - St.Athan MU - stored Picketston - St.Athan Museum by 04/84 - 8771M - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £33,000 - bought by London property dealer Robert Lance Hughes - broken-up by 10/92 - nose section for tender 10/93 - 603 Club, Woodford, Gtr Manchester 11/93 - attended the "100 Years of Flight Experience" at Fairford RIAT 07/03 - VTTS, Bruntingthorpe, Leics 11/10/05, crew trainer for XH558 - Museum of Science and Industry, Swinton, Greater Manchester arrived 03/09 - Avro Heritage Museum, Woodford arrived 20/04/13 - current
Picture credit Roger Winser
XN341 Saunders Roe Skeeter AOP.12 Army Air Corps
c/n S2/7147 - 15 MU 05/02/60 - 651 Sqn Middle Wallop 28/09/60 - 652 Sqn Detmold 02/08/63 - 3 RTR Fallingbostel by 07/65 - allocated 8022M 03/07/68 - 4 SoTT St.Athan 31/07/68 - St.Athan Museum 12/71 - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £11,000 - Mr Coates, Welwyn Garden City 21/09/89, collected by Helitech (Luton) Ltd late 89 - Helitech, Luton AP, Beds by 08/91 - Stondon Transport Museum and Garden Centre, Lower Stondon, Beds by 03/98 - sold and stored in the Dronton area, Germany
XR243 Auster AOP.9 Royal Air Force
c/n B5/10/180 - awaiting collection 05/01/62 - Advanced Fixed Wing Flt, Middle Wallop 26/01/62 - 19 MU 10/01/67 - declared non-effective airframe 08/11/68 - 2419 Sqn ATC Quedgley, Gloucs 16/10/69 - allocated 8057M 16/10/69 - St.Athan Museum 26/01/74 - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £6,500 - not reported since
XR486 Westland Whirlwind HCC.12 Royal Air Force
c/n WA/418 - Queens Flt Benson 06/05/64 - 15 MU Wroughton 24/07/69 - 32 Sqn Northolt 02/01/70 - St.Athan Museum 09/12/81 - allocated 8727M - tendered for sale 89 and to Tattershall Thorpe, Lincs mid 89 - registered G-RWWW 21/06/90 - restored to fly by 91 - Redhill - The Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare 08/06/00 - current
XS650 Slingsby T.45 Swallow TX.1 Royal Air Force
c/n 1386 - 1 GC Swanton Morley 12/06/63 - renamed CGS 31/12/71 - GSS St.Athan 23/10/79 - 621 GS 09/01/80 - ACCGS 16/12/82 - St.Athan Museum 03/02/84 - allocated 8801M - auctioned 21/09/89 high bid £2,200 - to HBX/BGA.3823 and restored to fly
Z7197 Percival Proctor III Royal Air Force
c/n K.386 - 2 SS - 1 RS - 18 EFTS - AST - G-AKZN registered 24/05/48 CofA expired 29/11/63 - RAF Finningley - allocated 8380M 05/09/73 - RAF Swinderby 02/77 - St.Athan Museum 05/79 - RAFM Hendon by 10/89 - RAFM Reserve Coll., Stafford, Staffs 07/03/02 - current
