Hawker Kestrel XS694 Cockpit Restoration
The Hawker Harrier is one of the most iconic British aircraft ever made and on par with the Avro Vulcan and BAC Concorde, it has the unique shape and sound and is recognised the world over.
The Hawker Kestrel is the prototype development aircraft of the Hawker Harrier and we have the unique opportunity to restore this extremely rare iconic British aircraft.
Up until 2018 there was only one Hawker Kestrel on display in the UK, YES ONE, many people think the P.1127 is a Hawker Kestrel and it is not it is a very different aircraft, it is a complete redesign, yes they may look similar and do share some of the same parts but they have a different wing, engine, cockpit, intake, electrics, nose cone, engine bay structure, fin, tailplane, centre and rear fuselage! Now still tell me they are the same aircraft!
In 2018 the Wings Aviation museum acted quickly to save this very rare British aircraft and imported it back form the United States where it was originally and incorrectly listed as a American design, American built aircraft!
Once it was back we did a lot of research work and investigating and realised the aircraft was XS694, not only was it the first aircraft delivered to the Tri-Partite Squadron it was one of the NASA test aircraft and was flown by the legendary NASA chief test pilot Lee H Person Jr.
We have stated work with restoring the cockpit as it was easily parted at the aircraft production break and will be reattached to the fuselage when the repairs have been completed.
The cockpit has now been stripped out and the parts removed are being individually restored so they are ready to be reinstalled into the cockpit when there time comes.
Our biggest hurdle with the cockpit is the damage that was done to the aircraft skin and frames during its time with a former owner, we are able to repair all the frames and some of the damaged skins but when it comes to rolling the front two skins these both have compound curves and need a professional English wheel user to roll them.
Today we have started our fundraising campaign to raise funds to get these skins repaired, we have found a experienced aircraft sheet metal worker who can roll the skins for us but like any expert in this field they do not come cheaply and you pay for what you get!
We would really like your help to restore this aircraft and bring her back to the former glory that she deserves.
If you would be willing to donate £50 we will send you a keyring that is made out of the skin that we remove from XS694 so you can have a memento to keep as a thank you and a certificate of authenticity for it.
If you would be willing to donate £100 not only will we send you a keyring made from the skin of XS694 and the certificate of authenticity, we would like to invite you to the museum for a personal tour of 694 and the other projects that are currently ongoing in our workshop.
The Hawker Kestrel is the prototype development aircraft of the Hawker Harrier and we have the unique opportunity to restore this extremely rare iconic British aircraft.
Up until 2018 there was only one Hawker Kestrel on display in the UK, YES ONE, many people think the P.1127 is a Hawker Kestrel and it is not it is a very different aircraft, it is a complete redesign, yes they may look similar and do share some of the same parts but they have a different wing, engine, cockpit, intake, electrics, nose cone, engine bay structure, fin, tailplane, centre and rear fuselage! Now still tell me they are the same aircraft!
In 2018 the Wings Aviation museum acted quickly to save this very rare British aircraft and imported it back form the United States where it was originally and incorrectly listed as a American design, American built aircraft!
Once it was back we did a lot of research work and investigating and realised the aircraft was XS694, not only was it the first aircraft delivered to the Tri-Partite Squadron it was one of the NASA test aircraft and was flown by the legendary NASA chief test pilot Lee H Person Jr.
We have stated work with restoring the cockpit as it was easily parted at the aircraft production break and will be reattached to the fuselage when the repairs have been completed.
The cockpit has now been stripped out and the parts removed are being individually restored so they are ready to be reinstalled into the cockpit when there time comes.
Our biggest hurdle with the cockpit is the damage that was done to the aircraft skin and frames during its time with a former owner, we are able to repair all the frames and some of the damaged skins but when it comes to rolling the front two skins these both have compound curves and need a professional English wheel user to roll them.
Today we have started our fundraising campaign to raise funds to get these skins repaired, we have found a experienced aircraft sheet metal worker who can roll the skins for us but like any expert in this field they do not come cheaply and you pay for what you get!
We would really like your help to restore this aircraft and bring her back to the former glory that she deserves.
If you would be willing to donate £50 we will send you a keyring that is made out of the skin that we remove from XS694 so you can have a memento to keep as a thank you and a certificate of authenticity for it.
If you would be willing to donate £100 not only will we send you a keyring made from the skin of XS694 and the certificate of authenticity, we would like to invite you to the museum for a personal tour of 694 and the other projects that are currently ongoing in our workshop.
Organizer
Aaron Simmons
Organizer
The Wings Museum Limited
Beneficiary