The SA Jetstream in UK military service

[canberraman]

Remarkably, 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Aviation Jetstream leaving UK military service after the last T.2s of 750 NAS were retired in March 2011. Even more surprising is the range of AModel kits in 1/72 that have been produced in recent years, allowing numerous variants of the type to be built by modellers, as well as the return of the venerable 1960s era Airfix kit. And with new decal sheets on the way from both Model Art and Xtradecal, the time seemed right for a photo review of the Jetstream’s career with both the RAF and FAA.

 

The Jetstream was the swansong of Handley Page Ltd, one of the last of the independent British aircraft manufacturers. Originally seen as the saviour of the company, this potentially world class aircraft resulted in its demise due to spiralling costs. Cancelled orders from both RAF and USAF together with the fact that the company refused to become part of the conglomerates of BAC or Hawker Siddeley, meant that Handley Page went into liquidation in 1969. In 1971 a company was formed at Sywell to continue production of the Jetstream - appropriately called Jetstream Aircraft Ltd - but this lasted only briefly. The design and production rights were then acquired by Scottish Aviation Ltd (SAL), who produced an initial 26 machines that had been subsequently ordered by the RAF on 24 February 1972 to replace the ageing Vickers Varsity in the multi-engine pilot training role.

 

SAL had 15 sets of completed wings with seven more in assembly. The tail units were already under sub-contract to North-West Industries of Canada. Three Handley Page fuselages were completed and a further eleven were in storage. In addition, seven fuselages were partly completed which left SAL needing five more to complete the MOD contract. After looking for a sub contractor to compete the work, SAL decided to set up their own production line for these fuselages and they completed the contract, the last RAF Jetstream T.1 - XX500 being flown in December 1976.

 

Compared to the civil version, the military Jetstream was fitted with the more powerful Turbomeca Astazou XVID engines.  However, the type had an inauspicious start to its early RAF career as a series of Defence White Papers in the mid 70s led to drastic reductions in the Service’s strategic and tactical transport fleets and consequently a temporary cessation to multi engine pilot training requirements.

 

Four early production Jetstream T.1s s were delivered to the CFS at RAF Little Rissington in late 1973 to allow for the training of type qualified QFIs (XX476/30, XX477/-, XX478/32 and XX480/33). A further seven went to 5 FTS at RAF Oakington by mid-1974 (XX479, XX481-XX486). However, these assignments were brief as Oakington was slated for closure, and 5 FTS itself disbanded on October 10th 1974.  The ex 5 FTS machines transferred over to Little Rissington ahead of that station also closing; the 11 aircraft then already in service were placed in storage at 19 MU RAF St Athan pending a decision on their fate. The remaining aircraft from the 26 on order also went directly to St Athan except for XX488 which became the SAL company prototype T.2 for the RN.   

 

After reassessing its needs, RAF multi-engine training recommenced in November 1976 with the Multi Engine Training School (METS) being formed at RAF Leeming as a component of 3 FTS. The eight aircraft complement was made up of XX492, and XX494-XX500, all new build airframes coded 70 through 77 respectively. At the same time, the RAF had concluded that fourteen of its recent acquisitions were now surplus to requirements (a further airframe, XX477, had been lost in an accident at Little Rissington in 1974 following a fuel feed problem which led to the loss of both engines). These were offered to the RN to replace its ageing Sea Prince fleet, used for Observer training purposes. To make them fit for purpose, some modification was required, most notably the installation of the MEL E190 weather and terrain-mapping radar in a modified radome, and the fitting of consoles in the cabin for the students. In the process the Jetstream T.2 "Flying Classroom" had been born.

 

METS tenure at RAF Leeming was relatively short as on April 30 1979, the squadron relocated to RAF Finningley where it was absorbed within 6 FTS. Upon transfer, the aircraft lost their two digit identification codes to become A to H respectively. Also, the unit complement increased by two with the arrival of XX482 from store at St Athan as ‘78’ (which became ‘J’ on transfer); and XX491, which had been returned to SAL for trials, was delivered as ‘79’ before finally becoming ‘K’. The fleet was increased by one further aircraft on May 11 1979 with the arrival of XX493; this became ‘L’ completing the establishment of 11 aircraft which were retained until near the end of RAF service. On 1 July 1992, METS took on the number plate of 45 Reserve Sqn from previous incumbent the TWCU which in turn had become 15 Reserve Sqn. In 1995 the unit was on the move again, and on 31 August began relocating to RAF Cranwell where once again it became part of 3 FTS. While at Cranwell, XX492/A was the only Jetstream on the unit to receive the RAF College light blue fuselage band.

 

March 17 2004 represented the beginning of the end for UK military operation of the Jetstream when 45(R) Sqn at RAF Cranwell replaced its aircraft with much newer Serco owned Beech King Air 200s. With age had come a lack of reliability and the fleet simply wasn't able to achieve the required 5400 hours per year to allow the courses to be completed. This in turn had created a need for some of the flying hours to be contracted out hence the earlier than planned arrival of the King Air.

Back to the Jetstream’s career in the Senior Service. Deliveries of the former RAF T.1s to the FAA began in October 1978, but it was September 1984 before all 14 converted T.2 aircraft had been received by 750 NAS at RNAS Culdrose. Due to an expanding requirement for Observers, a further two Jetstream 2 series airframes were sourced from the civilian market. F-BTMI which became ZA110 and 9Q-CTC which became ZA111. Their first flights with military identities came in July and December of 1981. Unlike their red, white and light aircraft grey painted brethren, these two were delivered in the blue and white colours that the whole fleet would wear until retirement.

 

The Royal Navy placed an order for four brand new Jetstream 31 aircraft in 1985, to augment its fleet of T.2s. Deliveries of ZE438-441 took place in 1986 and this more modern variant gained the T.3 designation, giving 750 NAS a total complement of 20 airframes. For their intended role the T.3s were equipped with a Doppler fed Tactical Air Navigation System (TANS) and the Racal ASR360 multi-mode radar, the antenna for which was located in a large fairing underneath the fuselage. After being operated by 750 NAS in the communications role for a while, the aircraft were moved to RNAS Yeovilton to replace the ageing Herons of Flag Officer Naval Air (FONA)/Heron Flight.

 

750 NAS suffered its own tragic loss of an aircraft at Portland in 1989. XX489 was displaying at a Cadet Day on May 8th when it stalled during a wingover and fell into the sea, killing both pilots.

 

In 1996 XX475, which was one of the aircraft offered to and converted for Royal Navy use, passed into the hands of the Defence Test Evaluation Organisation (DTEO) and later the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA) at West Freugh. As with almost all the test aircraft from that era, it was repainted into the trademark 'raspberry ripple' colour scheme with bold titles.

 

XX485 and XX490 were delivered to the Uruguayan Navy as A-875 and A-876 in December 1998 having been deemed to be surplus to the Royal Navy's requirements. Both have subsequently been withdrawn from service by their new owners.

In July 2008 it was announced that the Jetstreams of 750 NAS were to be replaced by a Cobham FR Aviation subsidiary supplied, modified and maintained fleet of new Beechcraft King Air 350ERs. Heron Flight and the T.3 followed the RAF's T.1s into the history books on September 29th 2008 with three aircraft initially going into storage at RAF Cranwell and the other to RAF Shawbury.

 

And so to March 2011 and the Jetstream's UK military swansong. With the final Jetstream 32 week / 70 flying hour Basic Observer's Course ending on 7th March, it just remained for 750 NAS to prepare to bid farewell to the type at the end of that month.

 

Since retirement from active military service, it is perhaps surprising how many complete Jetstreams have been preserved at home or abroad. No less than four former RAF T.1s are on display at museums in the UK: XX492 at Newark, XX494 at East Midlands Aeropark, XX495 at the South Yorks Air Museum and XX496 at the RAFM Cosford. This perhaps demonstrates the significance of this elegant but perhaps rather under appreciated type in UK military service history.

 

Firstly here's a list of all Jetstreams in UK military service, their useage and eventual fates. 

 

 

 

A 1977 view of Jetstream T.1 XX478 while in storage, awaiting conversion to a T.2 variant for the FAA. This aircraft has had its tail code removed but was previously ‘32’ with the CFS.

 

XX491/K of 6FTS/METS RAF Finningley seen here at RNAS Culdrose Air Day in July 1991.

 

XX494/B on static display at the RAF Alconbury Air Fete on 23 August 1992. Note that the aircraft is by now wearing the 45(R) Sqn fin stripe and unit badge following METS becoming a Reserve Squadron on 1 July that year.

 

A 1998 view of XX492/A of 3 FTS/45(R) Sqn seen outside the squadron’s HQ at RAF Cranwell. This machine was the only Jetstream assigned to 3 FTS to receive the famous RAF College blue fuselage band.

 

XX493/L of 3 FTS/45(R)Sqn photographed prior to departing RAF Waddington in July 2003.

 

Shortly prior to the Jetstream’s retirement from RAF service in March 2004, 45(R) Sqn facilitated a media flight from which these three air-to- air photos were obtained. Seen here is XX497/E.

 

XX497/E in company with XX492/A (photo courtesy Peter Foster via Chris Cannon).

 

XX500/H banking over the Lincolnshire countryside.

 

After retirement XX496/D was transferred to the RAF Museum collection at Cosford.

 

 Another ex RAF Jetstream to be preserved is XX495/C, currently part of the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum at Doncaster where it was seen in Feb 2020.

 

750 NAS of the FAA became the largest military operator of the Jetstream initially receiving 14 former RAF T.1s that had been converted into Mk T.2 flying classrooms. The aircraft retained their former RAF Training Command red/white/light grey scheme upon transfer but were later repainted in more appropriate blue/white/grey livery. This photo taken at the Newbury Air Festival in May 1980 shows T.2 XX488/CU 571 in the original colours but with RN titling and red/white propellers.

 

 An undated view of T.2 XX489/CU 575. This example was lost while displaying on 8 May 1989 over Portland Harbour, Dorset with the tragic loss of both crew.

 

 

Two images of T.2 XX481/CU 560 of 750 NAS seen displaying at RIAT in July 2006.

 

T.2 XX476 CU/561 touching down at RIAT 2009 at RAF Fairford.

 

T.2 XX478 CU/564 also captured at RIAT 2009. Note the 100 years of Naval Aviation markings on the rear fuselage and fin.

 

T.2 XX488 CU/562 photographed at an RAF Northolt photocall in June 2009.

 

T.2 ZA111 CU/565 was one of two later acquisitions for the FAA 750 NAS, along with sister aircraft ZA110, required to meet an uplift in RN Observer training requirements. It is seen here at RIAT in 2009.

 

ZE438/576, one of four T.3 variants procured for the RN. Initially delivered to 750 NAS for observer training, it was later reassigned to FONAC/Heron Flight at RNAS Yeovilton in a Communications/light transport role, replacing their elderly Sea Herons. Seen here at Wittering in February 2002.

 

T.3 ZE439/577 on static display at RNAS Yeovilton in July 2000. Note the large under fuselage fairing, a distinguishing feature of this variant.

 

XX475. The first prototype UK military Jetstream that served with the RAF as a T.1 before conversion to a T.2 for the RN, and then in 1996, was assigned to the MOD test fleet at DERA/DTEO West Freugh.

 

Hope this has been of interest. Thanks for looking

 

Mark

 

Edited July 12, 2021 by canberraman
error noted

[Alpha Delta 210]

Beautiful set of a fine-looking and loyal servant.

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to post the detailed history.

[Evalman]

Excellent collection of images of one of my favourites. Many thanks for sharing.  

[junglierating]

Cool stuff been in some 750 cabs virtually landing sideways up at Bardufoss 

 

Personally I prefered travel in a Herons armchairs rather than travel in the young whipper snapper Jetsteam 😆😆😆

Sad loss to the fleet getting spare parts for naval aircraft in bizzare places became very difficult and expensive after they were phased out

[cngaero]

What a great set of photos and an extremely valuable potted history of the Jetstream in UK military service. 

Thank you so much for sharing it all with us. 

 

Chris. 

[stevehnz]

Great history there & super line up of photos, thanks. The Jetstream is a favourite, both military & civvy, we get them flying locally still & kits to do both a T.2 & 32 are in stock.

Steve.

[canberraman]

Thanks chaps for the comments, replies and likes. Much appreciated

 

Mark

[F-32]

A great aircraft, and a great collection of shots

[canberraman]

On 7/13/2021 at 1:30 PM, F-32 said:

A great aircraft, and a great collection of shots

Many thanks F-32!

 

Mark

[Lord Riot]

Fantastic photos of a relatively unheralded type. I remember these used to fly in BAe Woodford quite often during the 80s. No idea why, but always nice to see them.

 

A 1/48 Airfix Jetstream and Dominie would be brilliant!

[canberraman]

Thanks LR!  I agree, a modern kit of a Dominie particularly, in either 1/72 or 1/48, is high on my wish list!

 

Mark

[carlstavros]

Nice write up and great photos, thanks for posting.

 

Cheers,

Carl.