Prototype Andover C.1

[Chris558]

I remember seeing this (link below) at Benson, quite near to the main A-road. It was used (obviously) as fire/rescue trainer when 115 sqn and QF Andovers were there. I remember at least once seeing plumes of black smoke coming from it.

http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1173546/

It is interesting that, although it is painted mainly dark green, (I suppose this was a camo scheme), the top half of the fin is still in the original promo colours (as I've seen on a Farnborough vid) with the reg on. Perhaps they wanted to remember the reg for posterity!

Was this Airframe kept by HS for tests (as it couldn't have gone into RAF service in original colours.) It must therfore have been roaded in to Benson - would this have been when 115 sqn. moved in, I wonder?

I believe it was adapted from a standard 748...prototype??

[Garry Russell]

The prorotype Andover G-ARRV (HS.748MF) ex G-APZV and was derelict at Woodford.

It was later used in a mock up for the ATP engine which used the Andover wing as a base.

Didn;t know it ended up at Bensen

Garry