This B(I).6 was one of 19 of that mark and was delivered to RAF in 1955. After two years with the RAF’s Handling Squadron, it was moved to the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) Farnborough, arriving on 11th July 1957, being allocated to the Armament Flight, which later became Weapons Flight.

WT309 operated from both Farnborough and West Freugh on various weapons trials, including bombing and fusing trials, up until the mid 1980s when it was retired at Farnborough and placed in storage. A short time later, WT309 was transferred to A&AEE Boscombe Down for a further period of trials. At the completion of these trials it was allocated to the A&AEE Boscombe Down Apprentice Department for training purposes.

WT309 was scrapped in January 1988. The cockpit and nose section was bought by a group of FAST members and is now displayed at the FAST Museum.

Technical Specifications

Crew : 3
Length : 19.96m (65ft 6in)
Wingspan : 19.51m (64ft 0in)
Height : 4.78m (15ft 8in)
Engine : 2 x Rolls-Royce RA7 Avon Mk 109 turbojet
Thrust (each engine) : 33kN (7,400 lbf)
Maximum Speed : 930km/h (580mph) at 40,000 ft
Service Ceiling : 15,000m (48,000ft)
Empty Weight : 9,820kg (21,650 lb)
Loaded Weight : 20,865kg (46,000lb)
Range : 1,300km (810 miles)