Dates

Event

Constructed as a Hunter F.4 by Hawker at Blackpool.

26 September 1955

First flight.

2 November 1955

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Air Force with s/n XF289.

2 November 1955

Transferred to 5 MU, RAF Kemble.

January 1956

Transferred to 67 SQN, RAF Bruggen, West Germany.
Operated with markings: Q

14 December 1956

Following a flying accident it was returned to Hawker Aircraft Ltd.

23 April 1957

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Navy with s/n XF289.

Converted to a Hunter T.8.
By Armstrong Whitworth at Coventry.

27 April 1959

Transferred to RNAS Lossiemouth.
For preparation for military service.

September 1959

Transferred to 764 NAS, RNAS Lossiemouth.
Operated with markings: 709

3 December 1963

Transferred to 759 NAS, RNAS Brawdy.
Operated with markings: 662, BY

April 1965

Transferred to 738 NAS, RNAS Brawdy.
Operated with markings: 777, BY

1966

Converted to a Hunter T.8C.

6 March 1968

Assigned to 5 MU, RAF Kemble for storage.

January 1969

Transferred to 759 NAS, RNAS Brawdy.
Operated with markings: 807

By January 1970

Transferred to Heron Flight, RNAS Yeovilton.
Operated with markings: 739

Markings Applied: 738

3 August 1972

Assigned to 5 MU, RAF Kemble for storage.

16 November 1974

Transferred to RNAY Sydenham.
For modernization.

7 October 1975

Transferred to Fleet Requirements and Air Direction Unit, RNAS Yeovilton.
Operated with markings: 872

23 January 1980

Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Yeovilton

8 April 1981

Transferred to 5 MU, RAF Kemble.
For maintenance.

July 1981

Transferred to FRADU, RNAS Yeovilton.
Operated with markings: 875

11 March 1983

Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Yeovilton

After 1989

Markings Applied: 875
Repainted in dark sea grey overall.

22 April 1994

Assigned to RNAS Yeovilton for storage.

26 November 1994

To George Lazik with new c/r G-BVYI.
Ferried to Exeter where Barry Povers Classic Jet Aircraft Company began to prepare the aeroplane for its long ferry flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

31 January 1995

To James Frederick Read, Trading As:, Amalgamated Air Services, The Orchards, Broomfield Hill, Great Missenden, John Trevor Howard Henderson, Trading As: keeping c/r G-BVYI.

6 June 1995

Civil registration, G-BVYI, cancelled.

10 July 1995

To George Lazik with new c/r N289XF {1}.
It and GA.11 XE707 made the first ever crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by Hunters during July 1995, Brian Grant and George shared the piloting responsibilities of XF289 throughout the trip.

15 April 1996

Certificate of airworthiness for NX289XF {1} (HAWKER HUNTER T8C, 41H-695942) issued.

19 October 1996

Photographer: Peter Garwood

After arriving in the USA the aircraft went on to star on the air show circuit and to participate in the USAF Test Pilot Schools training curriculum. Well-known and respected warbird pilot Bob Guilford acquired a share in XF289 shortly after arrival in the USA, and he flew it regularly.

1998

To Global Aviation Inc keeping c/r N289XF {1}.
Operated under the Aero Group banner on military contract work.

10 February 2000

To Allied Aircraft Holdings Inc, Wilmington, DE keeping c/r N289XF {1}.

13 January 2004

Civil registration, N289XF {1}, cancelled.
Exported to Canada.

2005

To Lortie Aviation Inc (Formerly Northern Lights Combat Air Support) Quebec, Canada.

Scrapped.
Broken up for spares, helping to keep its owners extensive fleet of Hunter F-58s flying on military contract work.

Assigned to Lortie Aviation Inc for storage.
The cockpit section still survives and is in storage.