Dates

Event

Circa 1960

Constructed as a Gannet AEW.3 by Fairey at Hayes, Middlesex.

2 February 1961

First flight.
From Faireys airfield at White Waltham.

9 March 1961

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Navy with s/n XL500.

9 March 1961

Transferred to RDU, RNAS Culdrose.

18 March 1961

Transferred to 849 NAS, HQ FLT, RNAS Culdrose.

18 March 1961

Markings Applied: 414

13 October 1961

Transferred to NAIRU, RNAS Lee-On-Solent.
For instrumentation and radio modifications.

23 October 1961

Transferred to 849 NAS, RNAS Culdrose.

1 February 1962

Returned to Fairey Aviation at White Waltham for de-icing modifications.

2 April 1962

Transferred to 849 NAS, HQ Flight, RNAS Culdrose.

2 April 1962

Markings Applied: 417

18 April 1963

To Fairey Aviation at White Waltham for rectification work.

11 September 1963

Transferred to 849nas, HQ Flight, RNAS Culdrose.

From 19 December 1963 to 13 January 1964

Assigned to RNAS Culdrose for storage.

11 December 1964

To Fairey/Westlands at Yeovilton for modifications and respray.

17 April 1966

Transferred to NASU, RNAS Brawdy.

27 April 1966

Transferred to 849 NAS, B FLT, HMS Hermes.

27 April 1966

Markings Applied: 332, H

21 February 1968

Transferred to 849 NAS, HQ FLT, RNAS Brawdy.

21 February 1968

Markings Applied: 767, BY

20 November 1969

To Westlands at Yeovilton for modifications and respray.

13 November 1970

Transferred to 849 NAS, RNAS Lossiemouth.

14 April 1971

To Westlands at Yeovilton for refurbishment.

30 June 1971

Transferred to NASU, RNAS Lossiemouth.

14 January 1972

Transferred to 849 NAS, RNAS Lossiemouth.

14 January 1972

Markings Applied: 766, LM

18 October 1972

Prince Charles had a one and a half hour flight as a passenger.

December 1972

Transferred to 849 NAS, B FLT, HMS Ark Royal.

December 1972

Markings Applied: 042, R

1 December 1974

Transferred to 849 NAS, HQ FLT, RNAS Lossiemouth.

1 December 1974

Markings Applied: 766, LM
Code 766 removed by 1977-08.

13 August 1977

Photographer: Peter Nicholson
Notes: Gannet AEW.3 of 849 Squadron on static display at the 1977 RAF Lossiemouth Open Day.

3 September 1977

Photographer: Peter Nicholson
Notes: Gannet AEW.3 of 849 Squadron on display at the 1977 RNAS Yeovilton Air Day.

November 1978

Withdrawn from use.

21 November 1978

Assigned to AHU, RNAS Culdrose for storage.

To School of Flightdeck Operations (SFDO), HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall, England.
View the Location Dossier

New serial number assigned: A2701 RN

22 July 1981

Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Culdfrose Air Day

22 July 1981

Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Culdrose Air Day

By September 1983

To Dowty-Rotol Propellers.

6 October 1983

Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Yeovilton - apologies for poor quality scan

28 February 1985

Assigned to RNAS Lee-On-Solent for storage.
Long term storage.

5 July 1995

To 849 NAS, RNAS Culdrose.
Squadron Mascot and Gate Guard.

26 July 1996

Photographer: Reinhard Jost
Notes: XL500 / CU as gate-guard at Culdrose, UK

23 February 2000

To Chatham Historic Dockyard.
As static display.

From 9 January 2004 to 26 January 2010

To Kennet Aviation/Timothy John Manna, North Weald with new c/r G-KAEW.

9 January 2004

Restoration started.
Restoration to flying condition.

27 July 2008

To Hunter Flying/Timothy Manna, Exeter keeping c/r G-KAEW.

Restoration continued.

11 April 2011

To Hunter Flying/Mark Anthony Stott, Exeter keeping c/r G-KAEW.

4 February 2012

Contracted to Horizon Flight Training and Aircraft Services, Saint Athan Airport, Eglwys-Brewis, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales for work on the airframe.
View the Location Dossier

Restoration continued.

To South Wales Aviation Museum, Saint Athan Airport, Eglwys-Brewis, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.
View the Location Dossier