| This aircraft is an ex-Republic of Singapore Air Force Hunter FR.74 and first flew in February 1957. It's first operational posting was to No. 5(MU) Sqn. RAF as XJ689 on March 20, 1957 after which it served with No.14(F) Sqn. and then No.66(F) Sqn. The Aircraft was returned to Hawker twice for upgrades, first in 1961 when it was converted to FGA.9 standard and again in 1970 when it was converted to FR.74 standard and registered as G-9-327. On August 4, 1971 the aircraft was one of four FR.74s delivered to Singapore and was operated at Tengah air base by 141 (Merlin) Sqn. Following the replacement of the squadron's aircraft by Northrop F-5Es and RF-5Es, 21 Hunters were withdrawn from service and sold by tender in 1993-94, 517 being one of these. Originally going to Australia, the aircraft was subsequently one of two imported into New Zealand in 1995 by Jet Imports Ltd (the other being a T.75 c/n 500 ex. RSAF 516, currently in storage at Ardmore). |