1:72 Corgi Aviation Archive British Aerospace Hawk T.1

Although we stated previously that the prototype Hawk XX154 made her final flight from Boscombe Down airfield in December 2018, that is not entirely true. That flight may well have been the aircraft’s last flight under her own power, but she was to take to the air one final time in rather unusual circumstances. With her airframe fatigue life expired and with this magnificent Hawk possessing real historic importance, it was decided that she would be placed in the care of Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, which is based at the Old Sarum Airfield. Rather than transport the aircraft the short distance to Old Sarum By Road, discussions gathered momentum about potentially arranging a form of transportation befitting an aircraft of this pedigree. On the afternoon of 21 August 2019, a Boeing Chinook HC.6A from RAF No.27 Squadron at Odiham arrived at Boscombe, determined to let this famous hawk feel the wind beneath her wings one final time, as the helicopter transported the aircraft the short distance Old Sarum has something of a rather unusual underslung load. The date chosen for this relocation fly was also significant, as it was exactly 45 years to the day since his preproduction Hawk had made its first flight from Dunsfold. With the BAe Hawk success story continuing to this day, it is fitting that this historic first aircraft will now pre-preserved as a unique piece of British aviation heritage for posterity.