Aircraft & Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down

Ex G-AOVF

Often referred to as the Whispering Giant thanks to its Bristol Proteus engines, built 1957. Seen at RAF Cosford Aerospace Museum.

Now privately owned at Cosford. Brings back memories!

The reincarnation of this majestic ex-BOAC Britannia G-AOVF as XM497 'Schedar' (the second-brightest star in the constellation Cassiopeia) is now complete.

Arriving at its Gatwick base. Soon to be disposed of, replaced by DC-8s.

G-AOVF at Sydney on a cargo charter.

Built for BOAC at Filton in 1957 and originally to have been Srs 300LR G-AOFF. Sold to British Eagle in 3.64 and Monarch in 1.70 but quickly passed to Donaldson then IAS. To Invicta 4.76. Leased as 9Q-CAZ in 1.81 but wfu at Manston 6.81. Ferried to Southend and then to Cosford for preservation in 5.84 as part of the BA Collection. Restored to BOAC colours but later unfortunately painted in fake RAF colours, although at least she survived the cull that cost us the 707-436, Trident and VC-10

The A&AEE Britannia graces Northolt's apron on a fine summer's day. She started her working life just down the road with BOAC as G-AOVM in 6.58 and ended it as 9Q-CHY in Zaire where she arrived in 1984. Here she later took the honour of being the world's last operating Brit (apart from 9Q-CJH ex-RAF XM496 now preserved at Kemble, after being flown in during October 1997) till withdrawal in 1991 and eventual scrapping at Kinshasa

Donaldson's ex BOAC Britannia 312F convertible pax/freight aircraft "Nike" decelerates on Runway 06 on arrival whilst operating an inclusive tour flight from Munich with a back-cloth of the Pennine Chain.

This aircraft is seen at the Biggin Hill Air Fair. It was broken up a couple of months after this photograph was taken.

BOAC Britannia G-AOVF is representing RAF aircraft XM497 at the Cosford museum.