Hawker Hunter - Survivor WT569

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F.1 WT569 - Morayvia, Kinloss, Scotland

Hunter F.1 WT569 at Kenfig Hill, 12th June 2021; Alan Wilson

Hunter F.1 WT569 at Kenfig Hill, 11th October 2008; Dean Smith

WT569 was part of one of the first production batches of Hunter F.1s, and spent some time doing development work as a result, notably aileron trials and tropical trials in Sudan. She did not have a long flying career and spent most of her service life as a ground instructional airframe, ending up as the gate guard at 2117 Squadron Air Training Corps.

Sadly it would appear she is not being well looked after there. An overall coat of grey was applied in the early 2000s which was hoped to be the beginning of a repaint but turned out to be the last bit of TLC she received for a while. Due to a lack of care, she turned extremely mucky, covered in moss and algae. Around 2012, she did receive a coat of paint, her underside was sprayed grey, with the top in camouflage colours. But thanks to the British weather, it didn't take long for the paint to start flaking, and by 2021 WT569 was looking rather sorry for herself.

In November 2022, WT569 departed Wales and headed for Scotland. The airframe arrived at Morayvia where she is now undergoing a restoration project from the museum. WT569 is due to arrive back at Kenfig Hill once the restoration has been completed.

Information on this page current as of 20/08/2023, last updated by Jake

Find other photos of WT569 on the following sites:

Air-Britain - Airliners.net - Airplane-Pictures.net - flickr.com - WorldAirPics.com - JetPhotos.net - PlanePictures.net

Huw Price from Porthcawl	Posted at 7:45am on Friday, May 19th, 2023
In November 2022 following the closure of the Squadron on the Kenfig Hill site, the Hunter was dismantled and moved to Morayvia Museum in Kinloss for restoration. When the aircraft goes back on display there 2117 Kenfig and 3 Welsh Wing will be written below the canopy.
Richard Peckham from Cefn Cribwr	Posted at 5:59pm on Sunday, November 6th, 2016
Dean Smith, could you update the photo for this frame, its so much better now. Not sure who Brian is, the boss is Barry. If anyone knows where we can source roundels and serial letters/numbers cheaply, please get in touch, we can then complete the project. Just cleaning needed now from time to time to maintain the frame for as long as we are allowed to keep it.
Nick Stevens from bath	Posted at 9:23am on Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
there is a significant number of hours left on the air frame of WT569 and periodically the RAF use to offer to swap the aircraft for something else so they could get it back.
Dean Smith from kenfig hill	Posted at 4:41pm on Saturday, December 21st, 2013
BIG PAT ON THE BACK FOR BRIAN AND HIS TEAM FOR THE REPAINT OF Hunter F.1 WT569 at Kenfig Hill, LOOKS SO GREAT EVERY DAY LEAVING FOR WORK, AND NOW OUR VILLAGE HAS A REPLICA SPITFIRE AS WELL, TIME TO BUILD THE RUNWAY ME THINKS!
Chris Lewis from Kenfig hill	Posted at 8:42am on Sunday, August 4th, 2013
Paint job is now complete. New picture updated soon.
Rhys Barrett from Kenfig Hill	Posted at 7:53pm on Saturday, July 27th, 2013
Funnily enough, exactly a year after I last commented, I can say that the best efforts of our staff have resulted in this aircraft being ready for its final coats of paint tomorrow. The finished scheme will be similar to the one used during it's earlier active life.
Rhys Barrett from Kenfig Hill	Posted at 12:44pm on Saturday, July 28th, 2012
As a mere cadet at 2117 Squadron it isn't my position to say anything officially, but there have been regular mentions from the staff concerning a clean-up and paint job for the aircraft over this Summer and everyone at 2117 seems very much up for it.
Kevin Gould from Bridgend	Posted at 10:26pm on Thursday, December 30th, 2010
we have found a supplier willing to supply paint to get this aircraft into ship shape so hopefully this will happen in summer of 2011
Jeffrey Evans from North Cornelly	Posted at 6:16pm on Saturday, January 30th, 2010
Hello, am a former cadet there and am saddened to see it in its current condition. If i can be of any help please contact me.
Richard Peckham from Cefn Cribwr	Posted at 8:24am on Saturday, January 16th, 2010
I recently started with 2117 sqdn as a civilian instructor, and last night I talked to the CO and he has agreed to put me in charge of a restoration plan to improve the appearance of this aircraft. The biggest problem we have is the restrictions regarding COSH due to the nature of the paint used on the aircraft. But I am determined to do something with this frame during the course of this year.

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