XW310 entered RAF service at Linton-on-Ouse with No.1 Flying Training School (1FTS), and was used for training duties as aircraft '70'. During the early months of 1973, the aircraft was re-sprayed into a special colour scheme. It was to be used by 1FTS' display team 'The Blades' for the forthcoming display season. However, the team disbanded in June the same year, but it is believed that XW310 was used for several displays.

XW310 remained in service at Linton until March 1975, when it was ferried back to Warton for modification to T.5A standard. Four months later it was back in service at Linton-on-Ouse, but within four weeks it was placed in long-term storage at Kemble.

In June 1979 XW310 emerged from her slumber. It re-entered RAF service with the RAFC (Royal Air Force College) at RAF Cranwell, and was assigned the fleet number '37'. Aside from a three-month loan with British Aerospace at Warton in 1981, XW310 remained at the airfield for the rest of its RAF career. It ended its days with 3FTS, and was retired to RAF Shawbury in April 1988. It was then placed in long-term store, where it remained for the next five years.

The aircraft was entered into July 1993 Phillips auction, but it is not known whether it was sold at the time of writing. In May 1995, the aircraft left Shawbury by road, for a new owner, Ipswich-based Everett Aero. It was placed on the UK register as G-BWGS, but remained in store in Suffolk until February 1996. It was then moved to North Weald airfield in Essex, where McCarthy Aviation began a restoration programme.

XW310 remains based at North Weald today in syndicated ownership. It is operated under the 'Where Eagles Share' banner and is a regular sight in the Essex skies, alongside her stable-mate Mk.3 XN637 (G-BKOU).

Related web-links:

• Area 51 Aviation Ltd/Where Eagles Share