FRADU aircraft archive - Hawker Hunter - Richard Parkhurst's contribution

"Richard Parkhurst lived in Yeovil for a number of years like myself, and was a regular visitor at the base taking photos. He is a superb aviation modeller and has made models for FRADU pilots and RNHF pilots in the past, and as such he got given the opportunity to visit the two Units inside the airfield on a couple of occasions.

Some of his vast collection of FRADU Hunter and Canberra photographs are shown on these two pages..."

(26 & 27) Page 2 of Richard's photos starts off with two photos taken in 1979, when the Royal Navy had just taken delivery of a new aircraft type - the Hunter T.8M. For further information on this aeroplane, click here.

(28) At the time when XE665 was held in store away from FRADU, it was loaned to the RAF in 1980, and the aircraft, XE665 is shown here in toned down Navy markings with a fin flash on the tail. It was photographed by Richard at an Abingdon Open Day that year.

(29) Three FRADU Hunters on parade at Yeovilton's 1984 Air Day, the first one captured in the static park was GA.11 XF300/860, sporting the older style Hunter scheme.

(30) T.8C XL584 was one of the first FRADU Hunters to be re-sprayed into the post Falklands all-over dark sea grey scheme, and is shown here wearing the 877/VL codes.

(31) The 899 Sqn T.8M XL603 was also on show at the Air Day, although devoid of its Squadron crest on the tail (Perhaps recently out of the paint-shop?).

(32) GA.11 XE685 taxies out for its display slot at Yeovilton's 1989 Air Day, at a show when 75 years of the Fleet Air Arm (1914-1989) was commemorated in style even if it did rain :)

(33) Following on from the Yeovilton 1984 Air Day images, XL603/724 was captured on display at the 1993 Yeovilton Air Day, where it was part of a "Sea Harrier" line-up, showing the development of the type in Navy service. It remained in service for a further year until retirement in 1994, for further information click here.

(34, 35 & 36) Richard was also lucky enough to be invited for visits to the RNHF in the early 1990's, and their hangar was located just up the taxiway from the FRADU hangars. So sights like this were regular during the week as Hunter after Hunter taxied past on its way back to the dispersal.

Three shots of XL580/723 are shown here, a familiar shape around Yeovilton, and for me one of two Hunters on base that ever used a brake parachute on landing :)

(37) Also captured from the RNHF hangar dispersal was this photo of T.8C XE665/876, on its way back to the FRADU dispersal after a sortie.

(38) GA.11 WV256 also snapped from the same position. Though one of the lower-houred FRADU Hunters, this aircraft was in service with the Unit since the early 1970's.

(39) Two Hunters on the pan in front of the FRADU hangars: T.8C's XF357/871 and XE665/876.

(40) The same two Hunters are shown here, but this time GA.11 XE685/861 is captured on the end of the line.

(41) A line-up of 4 FRADU T.8C's - from front; XF358/870, WT722/878, XF289/875 and another aircraft which is partially hidden.

(42) T.8C XF358/870 sits on the FRADU ramp ready for its next sortie.

(43 & 44) The 899 Sqn T.8M XL603/724 also present on the ramp. The FRADU maintained these machines on behalf of the Fleet Air Arm and were regular sights on the ramp, both during their FAA service and even after retirement! (XL603 and XL580/723 were placed in open storage in front of the FRADU hangars when they were retired).

(45) T.8C XF357/871 taxiing out to the main runway at Yeovilton in preparation for another sortie, whilst the all-too familiar water-tower looks on from the other side of the airfield.

(46) Hunter T.8C XE665/876, like XF357/871 above, is caught on its way out to the runway.

NOTE: All these photographs that appear on this page are © Richard Parkhurst.
If you wish to use these photos for anything other then personal use you must first get his permission.


29. [© Richard Parkhurst]	30. [© Richard Parkhurst]	31. [© Richard Parkhurst]


34. [© Richard Parkhurst]	35. [© Richard Parkhurst]	36. [© Richard Parkhurst]


39. [© Richard Parkhurst]	40. [© Richard Parkhurst]	41. [© Richard Parkhurst]


42. [© Richard Parkhurst]	43. [© Richard Parkhurst]	44. [© Richard Parkhurst]