The restored forward section of Hawker Hunter GA.11 WV381 has arrived at Bournemouth Aviation Museum
Last month, Bournemouth Aviation Museum, based at Hurn, took delivery of its latest acquisition, Hunter GA.11 WV381.
Although this particular example was never based at Hurn, GA.11s did fly from the Dorset airfield with Airwork Services FRU from March 1969 to October 1972, meaning that WV381 is a particularly welcome addition to the museum’s expanding collection. WV381 is owned by one of the museum’s volunteers, Dave Webb, and was previously at the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on Solent.
Originally built as an F.4, the Hunter first flew in 1955 and was operated by 222(F) Squadron. Converted by its manufacturer to GA.11 status it then went to the Fleet Air Arm, flying with and 764 NAS. While taking off from RNAS Lee-on-Solent on November 1, 1972, the pilot aborted his run due to an instrument malfunction and ejected. Thankfully, he survived the experience, but the aircraft had to be recovered from the sea. It was subsequently used as an instructional airframe by the UKAEA Lightning Studies unit.
