Hi Santiago,
RK787 was indeed the first prototype, being built at Rochester. It was involved in carrier trials onboard HMS Illustrious until it missed a wire and the starboard wingtip hit the carriers superstructure, with the Sturgeon subsequently nosing over. It was later struck off charge and held as a source of spares for the second prototype RK791.
RK791’s construction was begun at Rochester but transferred incomplete to Belfast and completed there. This aircrafts first deck landing was this time on HMS Implacable before POWERED wing folding tests on board HMS Illustrious.
Both had arrester hooks from the beginning but i’m not entirely sure what differences there were between the two aircraft at the time of their first flights.
Here are a couple of photos of ‘791’, in its racing guise with the number 80 applied. This was for the Air League Challenge Cup Race in which it took part against at least a Firebrand, Spitfire and a Hornet.
I can also recommend the superb book ‘Sturgeon Target Tug Extraordinaire’ by Tony Buttler and published by Adhoc Publications.
Rob
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