WV322

Hawker Hunter T.8B Whisky Victor Three-Two-Two was born at the Kingston-upon-Thames Hawker Factory as a single seat F.4 variant. She was first flown on 8th June 1955 by Hawker Test Pilot Duncan Simpson who deemed her fit for delivery to 43 Squadron on July 28th 1955. She would then move on to a new home with 92 Squadron...

In 1959, '322 was converted to a two-seat T.8 variant by Hawker Siddley Aviation for the Royal Navy, and was delivered to 764 Naval Air Squadron in 1960. She was then upgraded to T.8B specification and delivered to 5 Maintenance Unit at Kemble pending issue...

T.8B Hunters are unique in the fact that the port instrument panel is fitted with the Buccaneer Integrated Flight Instrument System (IFIS) in order to train pilots for the Buccaneer itself. In the early 1980's, WV322 was delivered to 208 Squadron at Lossiemouth where she provided an invaluable service as an instrument trainer for the Buccaneer...

When the Buccaneer Squadrons were disbanded, WV322 was taken to RAF Cranwell where she was used as an instructional airframe where she was maintained as a serviceable, although not flyable aircraft...

In 2000, WV322 was bought by Airline pilot Chris Perkins and a syndicate of owners was formed around her. She was flown to Kemble on Valentine's Day 2001 where a full restoration by Delta Jets was undertaken and completed in March 2002...

In February 2003, WV322 was flown by Dave Roome to Exeter where she will be maintained by the Hunter Flying Club...