A long line of Gnats and Jet Provosts lined up awaiting disposal with the impending closure of 1 SoTT. Ex XP530, the aircraft was exported to the USA and initially registered N4347N which was not taken up, becoming N530X by 1998. It was cancelled from the US register in 2015.

GI airframe with 2 SoTT at Cosford.

Later flew briefly with the Red Arrows before being withdrawn in September 1979 and allocated 8642M for ground instruction with 2 SoTT at Cosford. Sold in 1990 becoming G-NATY and was displayed in the Bounemouth Aviation Museum for a period before restoration to flight by de Havilland Aviation from 2005. The aircraft flew for a short time between 2007-2009, moved to North Weald for the Gnat Display Team in 2017 and has since been undergoing further restoration back to flying condition. The team moved from North Weald to St Athan in 2024.

"Gnat" in the sunset (after a pretty warm day). In the background "Puma" XW202.

Built in 1963, this Gnat flew most of its career with 4 FTS at RAF Valley, although it also spent a short period with the CFS. In April 1977 it was taken out of service at Valley and used for spares to maintain the active Gnat fleet. At the end of that year 1977, allocated 8578M, it was placed on display on the station. Replaced by a Hunter, she arrived at Newark during December 2000 and was fully restored

From 4 FTS, RAF Valley. To GI as 8580M at Valley in 1978. Spent a few months on display outside the Officers' Mess. To DERA (later QinetiQ) at Farnborough 1979, where it was used for vibration testing duties before finally retiring to the FAST museum in June 2004. Current in 2025.

Part of an RAF Careers recruitment event on Southend seafront along with the cockpit of Jet Provost T.4 XR700. Allocated maintenance serial 7891M in August 1965. On display at Hamble Aerostructures, the former Folland Aircraft factory site, from October 1980. Still present in 2024.

First flown in August 1962, XP503 spent its active career with 4 FTS before returning to Hawker Siddeley for trials at Bitteswell in 1969. Retired to instructional use at Halton as 8568M by 1977, it was acquired by Phoenix Aviation at Bruntingthorpe in the mid-1990s before sale to an owner in Palo Alto, CA in 2000 and registration as N503KC

at 424 ATC

ex RAF XP538

Despite expensive enquiries I have not been able to determine the authenticity of this unusual paint job. Pima's site states that these are RAF test colours from 1961 at Dunsfold but I think it more likely that the colours were simply inherited from the previous private owner who had the aircraft painted like this, perhaps to look like an Indian Gnat/Ajeet. Pima's Head of Collections was very helpful in correspondence, but we were not able to resolve this question. What we do know is that the aircraft was used by the A&AEE, Bristol Siddeley Engines and the RAE before becoming a ground trainer.

incorrectly listed with c/n XP548 in the FAA database. Chino resident since 2019.