The fourth Eurofighter Typhoon prototype, ZH590 (better known as DA4) has moved from IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire to the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering at RAF Cosford, Shropshire
The jet was initially used by British Aerospace (later BAE Systems) for two-seat avionics development at Warton, Lancashire from March 1997 until December 2006. It was later transported by road to RAF Coningsby for use as a ground instructional airframe before being transferred to the IWM at Duxford in April 2009.
After a decade at the Cambridgeshire attraction, the aircraft was placed up for disposal as it fell outside of the IWM’s collecting policy, and a move to Newark Air Museum was announced in November 2019.
At that time, an IWM disposals manager stated: “DA4 was one of the seven original industry development aircraft before becoming a RAF ground instructional airframe. As a prototype, this airframe is an experimental model and is not representative of a production or operational aircraft.
Despite the announcement, the Ministry of Defence put the transfer to Newark on hold, and the aircraft remained in storage at Duxford until it was prepared for transport by road to RAF Cosford in late November.
A joint statement issued by the RAF and IWM explaining the situation said: "It is a condition of all MoD donations that they be given first refusal should IWM choose to deaccession and dispose of an aircraft. In the case of the Typhoon DA4 the MoD have been consulted and have found a new home for the aircraft as a Ground Training Aid at RAF Cosford. Whilst we understand there may be disappointment that the aircraft is not being transferred to Newark Air Museum, the new home for the Typhoon offers continued public benefit through its training of RAF engineers of the future."
