Corgi 1/72 AA32714 Hunter T7 RAF XL573 RAF 237 OCU Honington July 1987
Corgi Aviation Archive AA32714 RAF Hawker Hunter T7 trainer variant as flown by 237 Squadron, the Buccaneer Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) from RAF Honington during 1987,
A superb 1/72nd scale diecast model of the RAFs Hawker Hunter T7 twin-seat aircraft, operated by 237 Squadron, the Operational Conversion Unit training new pilots to fly and fight the Blackburn Buccaneer.
The Hunter T7 proved to be an excellent and adapatble base airframe. Fitted with a revised cockpit layout closely matching the newer Blackburn Buccaneer initial pilot conversion training could be done without needing a two-seat Buccaneer trainer variant.
This model is finished as Hunter T7 XL573, as flying during July 1987 with 237 OCU in the Buccaneer conversion training role. Painted in RAF european theatre camouflage completed with detailed pad-printed RAF roundels and squadron markings, including the crossed-cutlesses alongside the cockpit.
Supplied with display stand and optional landing gear parts for in-flight or gear-down display.
Length 195mm. Wingspan 145mm
Work on a 2 seat variant of the Hawker Hunter began in 1954, when a contract was issued for the manufacture of two prototypes. Designed by a team led by Sir Sydney Camm, the first of these aircraft flew on July 8th 1955 with Neville Duke at the controls. Hawker Hunter trainers enjoyed a long career in RAF service and one of its key roles was in training crews for the Buccaneer strike aircraft. To assist with this, several Hunter T7 cockpits were fitted with the same instruments and controls as those in the Buccaneer. The Hunter T7, XL573, was delivered to the Day Fighter Leaders School at West Raynham in July 1958. After duty with 229 OCU and 4FTS, in Feb 1980 it joined 237 OCU at Honington where, following the grounding of the Buccaneer fleet, its primary role was to keep the Buccaneer flight crews current. XL573 served the RAF for almost 33 years before ending its military days at Lossiemouth in 1991.