1981 BAE Systems ASTRA Hawk T1

XX341 is a one-of-a-kind aircraft known as the Advanced Stability Training & Research Aircraft, ASTRA Hawk for short. XX341 was one of 3 BAe Hawk T1 aircraft ordered for the Empire Test Pilot School in 1981. This example was the 1st Hawk delivered to the school. 3 years later the aircraft was chosen to be radically modified to become the ASTRA Hawk. Since 1981 the aircraft had been operated by the Empire Test Pilots’ School, a British training school for test pilots currently operating at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, England. The aircraft was originally operated by the Defence Evaluation & Research Agency (DERA) which later became known as QinetiQ in 2001.

History

May 1981: Taken on Strength/Charge with the Ministry of Defence with s/n XX341

1982: Transferred to MoD (PE), Empire Test Pilots School, RAE Boscombe Down.

1986: Converted at Cranfield to a Hawk T.1 ASTRA. Advanced Stability Training Aircraft

1987: Transferred to MoD (PE), Institute of Technology, Cranfield

July 1988: Transferred to Empire Test Pilots School, RAE Boscombe Down.

July 1988: Markings Applied: Empire Test Pilots School, 1

2001: Taken on Strength/Charge with the QinetiQ with s/n XX341, transferred to ETPS, Boscombe Down, markings Applied: Empire Test Pilots School, ASTRA, 1

2006: Colour scheme was changed from red, white & blue (raspberry ripple) livery to the current black livery

Airframe hours: 2871

Number of landings: 4631

Fuselage FI: 13.891

XX341 is available as an externally complete static display/museum exhibit. The aircraft has been heavily internally spares recovered by her previous owner & as such would make an ideal candidate for pole mounting as a gate guard or for suspension from a ceiling as weight is at a minimum. Having only just arrived in stock, only recently retired & never kept outside this aircraft is in very clean & tidy external condition. Our vision for this aircraft is to restore her to her red, white & blue (raspberry ripple) livery along with Empire Test Pilot School markings as per the in-service photos in our gallery above.