Basingstoke planning application for a Hunter

[davebasing]

Centerprise International based in Chineham Business Park near Basingstoke has submitted a planning application to mount a Hawker Hunter F51 adjacent to their offices (Story is that the owner's father used to fly Hunters). Although referred to as a sculpture and an item of public art, it does seem to be a genuine Hunter and, from a photo attached to their application, is former Danish Air Force Hunter F51 E-408 which has been around the block a bit since HSA bought it (with others) from the Danes back in 1976 and parked them at Dunsfold. After HSA failed to find a buyer it was mounted with no serial but code 'B' at the gate at RAF Brawdy (where I photographed her - below - in 1980) until replaced by a genuine ex RAF Hunter when it moved to Cranwell and was painted as "XF579" and later moved to be pole mounted at RAF Sealand now painted as "WT720" still coded B. On the closure of Sealand in 2006 it then moved again to a plinth at North Scarle in Lincolnshire. In 2016 it was offered for sale with a guide price of £20-22,000 located in Manmoel, Wales.

Planning decision is due on 21 September. Would be nice to see her finding a permanent home in Chineham. 

ac 049 by dave tompkins, on Flickr

[zz]

Let's hope this comes to fruition!

[Jeff]

I remember in the 90s there was an application to put an an aircraft ( lightening maybe!! ) on a roundabout on the A325 near the Farnborough Gate shopping area. Was turned down as the council thought it would result in accidents due to drivers looking at it on the way past 😔