When the VC10 first flew on 29th June 1962, Jet Provost XM352 served as a chase plane, operating from Wisley. But the JP flew in that morning, and left again at the end of the day once the prototype was safely at Wisley. Where did it come from? My knowledge on this subject is near zero, so any help is appreciated. In addition, I wouldn’t mind finding out the name of the pilot on that day, but I’m not expecting much on that front.
By: sycamore - 18th July 2018 at 22:52
`UK Serials` and `abpic` for other info ,and an interesting photo…
By: Archer - 18th July 2018 at 19:57
Thanks for that. Trial Installation works for me. I’m not sure that the others shed any more light on this for me. Transfer against quota Controller (Aircraft) on a date in 1959 I can follow, but the one that interests me is next: CSA Hunting 3-2-59 for Test/Trial installation… If anyone has a thought about the CSA, feel free to let me know. I’m sure it’s something simple that completely eludes me.
By: sycamore - 14th July 2018 at 23:19
TI`s- Test /Trial Installation,
CS(A)- probably Chief Superintendant(Air) AAEE..
C(A) -Controller -Aircraft
Could have been at F`boro,as it would take longer than 20mins to come from AAEE,or from Luton…
By: Archer - 14th July 2018 at 21:48
I stumbled across a book about JPs today and looked up this particular airframe:
XM352 AwCn 12-1-59; transfer against quota C(A) 12-1-59; CSA Hunting 3-2-59 for TIs and air intake ice detect system; to RAF stock to replace XM456 (crashed) 16-4-64 and loaned to MoA until 31-8-67; CS(A) and A&AEE 5-1-65 for Lightning T Mk.5 ejection seat oxygen system proving trials, oxygen regulator and LOX converter system trials from 23-2-66; 27MU 13-3-68; 5MU 4-8-72; …. continued….
Source: From Jet Provost to Strikemaster – David Watkins.
I didn’t think to look up any of the abbreviations in this snippet while I had the book in my hands. Is anyone able to decipher the first bit for me? I think I can work out that it was kept on by Hunting between 3-2-59 and 16-4-64, but what are TIs or CSA?
By: Archer - 1st July 2018 at 19:19
Thanks for that Viscount! My main reason for wondering where the aircraft was based is that there is evidence of what may be a crew ferry, using a Heron, taking off from Wisley and XM352 turning up 20 minutes later. If XM352 was based somewhere close to Wisley, that might support my theory.
By: viscount - 1st July 2018 at 01:02
My notes, which originate (and for the JP stop) in the mid/late 70s have XM352 down as Hunting Test Aircraft from new and spent periods with the A&AEE, only much later going on to serve as an FTS machine. Seems to make sense of being used as a chase plane in 1962.
No doubt someone with access to a copy of file card information will know more and provide dates.
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June 30, 2018 at 9:40 pm