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WR971 MR 3
First flown 28.5.56. Retained by Avro for development work until 12.12.56, when allocated for C(A) Release for armament trials. Delivered to A&AEE Boscombe Down 14.12.56. Following crash of WR970 was used by Avro for development work, but remained officially on C(A) charge. Handling and armament trails, the latter including bombing and container drops on Imber Range, were completed by the A&AEE before the aircraft was allotted to Avro Woodford for refurbishing and modification to full production standard against Contract 6/Acft/l2873/ CB6(a). Arrived at Woodford 12.5.58 and from 14.6.58 was used for aerial development against Contract 6/Acft/13036/CB6(a). On completion 17.10.58 WR971 was transferred to Contract 6/Acft/ 14156/CB24(c) for update to Phase I standard and briefly used for more CLE dropping trials before being finally delivered to the RAF 7.10.60. Allotted to 206 Sqn, but actually delivered to 120 Sqn and coded E. To Avro for Phase Il modernization 4.62, returning to 120 Sqn 22.5.62, still as E. To HSA Langar for Phase III conversion 9.63 - 4.65 when issued to 201 Sqn as P. Viper fit and repairs completed by HSA Langar 11.66 - 6.67 before transfer to the Kinloss Wing 23.6.67 as Q. At HSA Bitteswell for mods 6.8.68 - 7.10.68, returning to Kinloss still as Q. To 60MU during 7.69 and HSA Bitteswell 25.11.69 - 5.1.70 for mods, but remained at Kinloss until flown to St Athan 21.12.70. Transferred to No. 2 SoTT Cosford with maintenance serial 8119M. Offered for sale 1988 and purchased for display at Narborough (fuselage only). Currently at Fenlan & West Norfolk Aviation Museum, Wisbech, Cambs.
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