Red Arrow XX306 new home at Coneygarth Services

BAE HAWK T1A XX306 – FORMER RED ARROWS TEAM & RAF SCAMPTON GATE GUARDIAN

Direct from service as RAF Scampton’s final gate guardian before the closure of this base, XX306 is a truly historic aircraft, having been one of the Red Arrows’ original Hawk T1 jets delivered to the team – a so-called “Founder” aircraft, XX306 was the final RAF aircraft to leave RAF Scampton prior to the base’s closure in March 2023.
The BAE Systems Hawk succeeded the Folland Gnat as the aircraft type flown by the team after the 1979 season. XX306 was built at the British Aerospace plant at Dunsfold and handed over to the Royal Air Force on May 23, 1980, designated as “Red 12” as one of two spares alongside XX304
Painted in the famous Red Arrows’ livery, the aircraft was also fitted at that time (since removed) with a smoke and dye pod, enabling the team to produce the beautiful red, white and blue smoke trails seen in a display.
The jet spent two months at RAF Valley before flying to RAF Kemble – the Red Arrows’ previous home – and joined the Squadron on July 3, 1980.
Retired from the aerobatic team on 20th October 2012, having last been used in a display on September 26 (It’s last flight) – the aircraft was transferred to Shawbury on 22nd October 2012 and then placed into storage.
The aircraft was selected to be the Gate Guardian for RAF Scampton and transferred to RAF Cranwell for cosmetic refurbishment prior to being moved by road to Scampton on 11th August 2015.
The aircraft was reassembled on the main gate on 12th October 2015 and unveiled to the public in a ceremony marking the occasion.
Total flying time for XX306 – 7,378 hours and 15 minutes
Total number of landings – 13,007
There is no engine fitted to the aircraft and no logs supplied.