Originally Posted by
Saintsman
Must have been pre September 75 as the aircraft crashed practicing for a Battle of Britain display.
'Q' was at Gaydon for the 'Farewell to Gaydon' Air Show on 17 August 1975. As Saintsman rightly says, the aircraft was lost just a month later on 18 September. The photograph was taken just after the gear was retracted, the flaps still being lowered and the aux air doors open.
Incidentally, judging by the 'Q' on the fin, the photograph may well be a reverse image. That reminds me of the jape played by a certain RC who flew 'O' to Finningley for the BoB display there a day after 'Q' was lost. Judicious use of white tape (and black for the nosewheel door) meant that when it arrived back in Northern Dispersal at Leuchars it had a different identity. It spooked the groundcrew a bit, and I confess to being a little anxious when it was the only jet available for me and BM to do the last trip of the day at the Leuchars air show!