Seen here during its relatively short service career with 53 Sqdn, XR362 was the prototype Belfast, first flown on 5th January 1964 having initially been registered G-ASKE, marks which were restored for a year in mid-1965 with the Ministry of Aviation. When the 10 Belfasts were withdrawn from RAF service in 1976, XR362 was placed in storage at Kemble. Registered G-BEPE to Eurolatin in March 1977, it was moved to Stansted and then Southend where it became the first to undergo civilianisation for Transmeridian Air Cargo/HeavyLift - see my photo at #20855

Delivered to the Royal Navy as Sea King HAS.1 XV650 in 1969. Converted to an HAS.2 in 1978 an AEW.2 in 1982 and an ASaC.7 in 2001/2. Destroyed when it collided with Sea King ASaC.7 XV704 over the Northern Persian Gulf in 2003. All on board were killed. Remains brought back to Yeovilton and scrapped.

The prototype/first production aircraft, registered G-ASKE on 10 July 1963, and transferred to XR362 on 20th December 1963. CAA records show that it was restored as G-ASKE on 14 June 1965, registered to the Minister of Aviation, and returned to XR362 14 July 1966. It was retired from RAF service in 1976 and stored at RAF Kemble until registered as G-BEPE on 30 March 1977 with HeavyLift Cargo. At some point it carried the class 'B' marks G-52-14. It was withdrawn from use on 26 October 1984 and used for spares recovery before being scrapped at Southend on 18 February 1994.

NZ5362 was flown to New Zealand in October 1945. The Ferry flight 9 through 15 October 45 was made by Flight Sgt Howard Monk RNZAF. Sold for scrap in 1948. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

The prototype/first production aircraft, registered as G-ASKE on 10 July 1963 and transferred to XR362 on 20 December 1963. CAA records show that it was restored as G-ASKE on 14 June 1965, registered to the Minister of Aviation, and returned to XR362 on 14 July 1966. It was retired from RAF service in 1976 and stored at RAF Kemble until registered as G-BEPE on 30 March 1977 with HeavyLift Cargo. Cancelled on 1 March 1994 as destroyed after being scrapped at Southend in February 1994.

Operated by 53 Squadron.

Operated by 53 Squadron.

This a/c was flown to the USAF Museum in June 1980, just three months before this slide was taken. It is parked near the museum restoration hangar across the airfield from the museum, which can be seen in the background. It is currently on display inside the museum.