XX266

[reaper493]

For anyone interested - maybe a gap filler for some.

Reds Hawk XX266 has appeared near the fire dump at Waddington and can be viewed from the A15 between the Mere road turn off and the air ambulance centre.

You may also see it by walking up the farm track opposite Mere road - not one I've tried myself lately.

Mike

[Mike]

Blimey! That's one of the original Red Arrow Hawks from the 1980 season, 44 years ago.

I was at the Biggin Hill air show that year and watched them leave for the Brighton show, one of them didn't come back ('262) as it had hit a yacht's mast and the pilot ejected into the sea.

[Vulcanone]

Its been replaced as a Ground Instructional Airframe by XX188 which did its last flight in March... I assume it (266) is going to be an aircrew rescue trainer as opposed to being burnt... (Remember when all airfields did that)!!

[reaper493]

Yea 188 broke in March, Red 1 was did it's last flight (unintentionally I believe) - he flew it often as it was the last non smoker.