New Arrival - Provost T.1 XF690

We're thrilled to announce the successful re-assembly of our most recent arrival, Provost T.1 XF690. Known informally as the "Piston Provost", the type was designed and built in the 1950's by Percival Aircraft at Luton Airport as a basic trainer to replace the RAF's wartime era Prentice. It also achieved export success as a trainer and as an armed counter-insurgency aircraft with a total of 461 aircraft being built. The design was adapted, with a turbojet engine, to become the more well known Jet Provost.

Our aircraft was delivered to the RAF in May 1955 and served initially with the Queens University Air Squadron in Belfast. After short spells with other units, in July 1959 it moved to RAF Shawbury where it was used for the next 9 years in the training of Air Traffic Controllers. In 1968 it became part of the RAF Museum Reserve Collection, initially at Henlow and then at Colerne, before being auctioned and sold in March 1976. Registered G-BKGA it made its first post-restoration flight on 22nd August 1981. Re-registered to G-MOOS in 1991 the aircraft was a regular sight on the airshow circuit. The aircrafts Permit to Fly expired in 2019 and the aircraft entered storage at Yeovilton, and, latterly, Old Warden.

In late 2023, SWAM acquired the aircraft, and it arrived at St Athan by road on December 21, 2023. We aim to maintain the aircraft in engine running condition for regular "power-ups," allowing enthusiasts and visitors to experience the living history of this remarkable Provost T.1 XF690.