I’ve hard hardened spotters quiver in their anoraks when faced with a picture of a sea hawk – so few people remember them. sods.

Ritch Blood was OC at the time XE368 was at Brunty.

Now go on… spread the word. This baby needs a home.

Correcto. No, she’s not a flying example. I seem to recall there were originally plans to get her fired up at Brunty before she was sold.

If I had 6k to spare – she would, no hesitation.

We’ve got a wee Grumman Yankee at the old airport as well now. Carries the tail number G-SEXY – and it’s genuine too!

Pop in one weekend (11am-4pm) and say hello.

Roy.

Must admit I’m very disappointed – not a single cockpiteer interested?

I am such a doofus at time. I can only presume the caffeine hadn’t kicked in and I should have at least googled for XH132. I just did and it yielded:

This interesting looking PR.9 never entered the RAF but still gave 36 years service as a “Trials” aircraft.

XH132 was “awaiting collection” at Preston in1959 and was eventually delivered directly into Ministry of Supply charge in 1960. It was transferred to Short Brothers factory in Ireland and was rebuilt as a specialised “Shorts SC.9” with the capability of carrying several different types of nose-mounted equipment for missile homing head trails. Then on to DeHavilland Propellors at Hatfield where it spent many years as part of the “Red Top” guided missile trails programme. Another move saw XH132 transferred to Hawker Siddeley Dynamics for a continuation of the trails before going on to the Radar Research Establishment at Pershore in 1972 for “Sky Flash” guided weapon homing-head development in 1972.

It was eventually transferred to Battle Damage Research Flight, RAF St Mawgan, in 1986 where it stayed. The photograph shows it on display at a St Mawgan open day.

SC.9 was eventually broken up at RAF St Mawgan, however, the distinctive nose was saved by an enthusiast in Cornwall. It was bought (in 1998?) by an Italian enthusiast and collector, Albino Panigarri. The photo of SC.9 on its transport frame shows it in the Italian sun where Albino hopes to refurbish it as much as possible.

Apologies for my doofiness!