Gloster Javelin FAW-9 XH897

 invisible, aircraft on display

 Upload a photo

Built as an FAW.7 and seeing service with 5, 25 and 33 Squadrons, XH897 was converted to an FAW.9 and used by the A&AEE for various purposes, mostly chase and calibration duties whereby it would fly alongside newer types so their airspeed indicators could be accurately calibrated against a known target. In this way it helped out on the Shorts SC.9, Concorde and MRCA (Tornado) projects. This was the last Javelin to fly, its final flight being on 24th January 1975, landing at Duxford to join what was the newly established Imperial War Museum collection there. She's been repainted at least once since arrival (sadly losing many of the markings she arrived in) and on the whole looks to be in superb condition, though there are a few bits of flaking paint in evidence. Since the above picture was taken she's moved back inside once more