"JET PROVOST HEAVEN"
KNOWN JET PROVOST T.3 SURVIVORS
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HUNTING JET PROVOST T.3A XM405 (G-TORE)
 
   
Jet Provost T.3 XM405 was built at Luton and was delivered to the RAF at 27MU, RAF Shawbury on 5th January 1960 for service preparation. It was officially handed over to 2FTS, based at RAF Syerston on 25th January 1960.
It remained based with the Unit until July 1969 when XM405 was withdrawn pending 2FTS' disbandment. On the 22nd July XM405 was ferried to RAF Linton-on-Ouse and was put into service with 1FTS as aircraft '30'. Apart from two brief spells on loan with the Royal Air Force College at RAF Cranwell during 1971 and 1974 XM405 remained on charge until it was flown to Warton for conversion to T.3A status.During 1975 XM405 returned to flying duties with 1FTS and was coded '42', and it was kept in service until 1990 when it was withdrawn from use and placed in store pending disposal. The jet was subsequently sold in May 1991.

Acquired by Butane Buzzard Aviation, XM405 was placed on the UK civilian register as G-TORE and was ferried to its new home at North Weald where it was given a thorough overhaul.
Flying again in 1992 from Cranfield and maintained by Kennet Aviation, G-TORE was kept in flying condition until September 1995 when it was placed in store following the expiry of its permit to fly.

XM405 remained in store until December 2000 when it was acquired by Everett Aero based at Ipswich. 
It was moved by road to its new home, and placed in store once more. Later advertised for sale, XM405 was acquired by the University of London during late 2003. It was moved by road and reassembled on campus, and used as an instructional airframe.

During December 2009, the aeroplane was offered for free to a new home, with the catch being the new owner having all responsibility for its removal! It is believed to be bound for North Weald.

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