For anyone who does not recall what this machine looked like prior to this reincarnation, here is my shot of her nearly twenty:eek: years ago at Badminton Air Day 24 July 1988 in 609 R.Aux.AF markings and with incorrect 4-blade prop and spinner.

Wouldn’t Snoopy be the lowest time C-130 out there?

Yes, indeed it is, so that’s why they decided not to scrap her. She ‘was’ going to be sold to the R.Neth.A.F., but now going to continue as the A400M engine testbed.

Excellent shots Keith. Always nice to see Duxford’s inmates at this time of the year…keeps us going til the show season.;)

There was one advertised for sale here last May, but don’t know if it sold or not:

http://www.austerclub.org/club_stuff/for_sale.htm

Kemble guys have just returned from the meeting and have just reported on UKAR that the enforcement order has been withdrawn, so they are cleared to continue as they are!! Hooray – well done everyone!!:D

‘Preserved’ is exactly what the word says – ‘PRE SERVED’. I take it to mean any aircraft that has previously seen operational service and has not been scrapped after retirement. Regardless of how well an airframe may be looked after, it is still technically ‘preseved’.

John,

Back in 1971, I toured RAF Halton and was very luck to find many Hunters there still with their 1950s squadron colours on them. This included this Hunter F.4, XF302, of 43 Squadron, complete with “Fighting Cocks” insignia which I duly photographed.

In 1956, 43 Squadron formed a four-ship Hunter aerobatic team called “The Fighting Cocks” when based at Leuchars, which were led by Sqn.Ldr.Roger Topp, who later went on to lead the “Black Arrows”. These were Hunter F.1s and they continued the team when they re-equipped with Hunter F.4s. 43 Squadron carried this nose marking on their Hunters right up to the early ’60s
when they requipped with F.6s and FGA.9s.