Corgi AA32715 Hawker Hunter T7 – XL591, 4FTS, RAF Valley, Anglesey, 1975

Hawker Hunter T7 XL591 first flew on 6th August 1958 and was delivered to the RAF the next month. XL591 had a rather colourful career which included spells with DFLS, DFCS, AFDS, and 4 FTS, then moving up to RAF Honington to serve with both 208 Sqn and 237 OCU at different points. This model depicts XL591 in the red and white training scheme it carried when flying as part of 4 FTS (Fighter Training School) at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales in 1975. Happily XL591 survives to this day, preserved at the Gatwick Aviation Museum. RAF Valley remains the centre of RAF fast jet training to this day, being home to most of the RAF’s Hawk fleet but remains proud of its time operating the Hunter, with a two seater aircraft remaining on base as a “gate guard” to this day.