May 27, 2004 at 10:04 pm
2 single seat Hunter fuselages seen on low loaders heading West down the A303, Ilchester way, earlier today. Colours appeared ‘Raspberry ripple’ red, white and blue. Any ideas where from and where too? Or are they just trying to beat the bank-holiday traffic!
By: Markp451 - 30th May 2004 at 13:38
Right as of Yesterday the T7 will have its major done in the Uk then do approx 30 hours in the UK before going to Canada.
The 6/9 (lol) will have it major do too in the Uk and then do approx 30 hours again in the Uk before going to Canada , BUT there is a possiblty of her staying in the Uk if funds can be made for her to stop in the UK and do airshows, Exeter (HFC)are working on it to get sponership for her to stay here.
Stringbag – she not live-expired got lots left. both jets are in excellent condition are are now sat in the back of the hanger at Exeter work starting soon on then
Photo to be in Flypast next month
By: stringbag - 29th May 2004 at 15:18
She isn’t time expired apparently, it could be that it, and the other one, need a overhaul before they fly again.
By: kodak - 29th May 2004 at 12:26
A-HAA!!!!!!!! And shes got 230 gallon fuel tanks! – now she can ferry to Canada….Doh, No I didnt mean that!! She has to stay here and fly on the show circuit.
Thats the fairly unique A&AEE scheme she had though ripple is just as gorgous – perhaps if there is an issue with the ripple scheme in private hands a repaint to that may be possible.
Having said all this I had heard she was time exired!?? :confused:
By: station357 - 29th May 2004 at 00:07
Here’s a picture of XE601 with a slightly different paint scheme. Taken at RIAT circa 1987.
Regards,
Paul
By: Black Knight - 29th May 2004 at 00:05
Dave Southwood in 601 was then next best thing to Mark Hanna in the F58.
By: David Burke - 28th May 2004 at 22:50
Ant – as long as the type isn’t in current service I see no problems. An example would be the Transair Jet Provost T.5 in her ‘raspberry ripple’
scheme.
By: Ant.H - 28th May 2004 at 21:54
If XE601 were rebuilt to fly here in the UK,what are the chances of it being allowed to retain it’s Rasberry Ripple scheme?Would there not be a CAA ruling somewhere that prevented a civvie aircraft from wearing a current military scheme??
By: Roger W - 28th May 2004 at 21:48
Thanks, chaps, I knew I could rely on you.
By: JetBlast - 28th May 2004 at 20:19
XE601, though upgraded to ‘9 standard was never officially called one and didnt even get an F6″A” suffix!
Ok, I will stick to Buccaneer’s!! Cheers for clearing that up for us, dispells a 30year myth that my father installed in me!!! :rolleyes:
By: David Burke - 28th May 2004 at 19:43
Thanks for sparing me the explanation Kodak . She was never designated as a FGA.9 . There might well be FGA.9’s which are very potentially airworthy – the machines in Zimbabwe spring to mind.
By: kodak - 28th May 2004 at 15:45
Here she is with baby tanks;

By: DGH - 28th May 2004 at 09:34
I agree kodak, an interesting and distinctive colour scheme without being non-geniune military, also a british single seater – got to stay!
By: kodak - 28th May 2004 at 09:23
Spit that again my friend, 601 is an FGA.9, the only possible airworthy one left.
Hunter Flying Club are hoping to keep her in this country, the T.7 though, is going to the Northen Lights operation in Canada. :rolleyes:
XE601, though upgraded to ‘9 standard was never officially called one and didnt even get an F6″A” suffix!
Ive seen ‘601 carrying 4 drop tanks, though not the larger 230 gall ones.
She has GOT to stay over here – and in that scheme please!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Gerry H - 28th May 2004 at 05:48
I’m not sure what serial numbers they are but there’s a rather interesting story about 3 Hunters that are flying from CFB Comox on the west coast of Canada. The Military had comissioned a study on the fiscal responsibility of keeping 414 Sqn flying T-33’s in an operation where they intercept our ships at sea, a form of wargame. Well the study came up with a cost of around $14 million CDN to keep this Sqn flying the venerable T-33 annually. They then put out to tender this contract after disbanding the unit and are now paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $41 million to have these 3 Hunters flying the same missions.
I will attempt to get pictures of these aircraft but thought I would share the story prior to that.
Sincerely Gerry
By: JetBlast - 27th May 2004 at 23:45
Hunters F.6 XE601
Spit that again my friend, 601 is an FGA.9, the only possible airworthy one left.
Hunter Flying Club are hoping to keep her in this country, the T.7 though, is going to the Northen Lights operation in Canada. :rolleyes:
By: Markp451 - 27th May 2004 at 22:45
The 7 hopefully will do its flight test here (and then ferry as she can carry 230 tanks), as for the 6 she may go in a container (as she can’nt carry any tanks at all well expect water ones lol) or if the owners can be persauded, she could stop here on the airshow scene .. I hope
By: David Burke - 27th May 2004 at 22:36
Mark – are they going to Canada then post flight test?
By: Markp451 - 27th May 2004 at 22:25
both will be flying soon. Once the majors are complete on both airframes
By: David Burke - 27th May 2004 at 22:21
Hunters F.6 XE601 and T.7 XL612 from Boscombe. The single seat was removed from the museum .
By: Markp451 - 27th May 2004 at 22:18
T7 and F6 ( both Raspberry Ripple ) Boscombe to Exeter