As an inexperienced student at the time, the only differences I can remember between the Whirlwind Mk.7 and the couple of Mk.3's on 705 in late '65 were the engine types and the "extra" experience of my instructor switching off the hydraulics and my flying the Mk 3 in manual before being sent off solo. I see that exactly half my Whirlwind time in training was on the 3 instead of the 7 and that on several days I flew in both Mks., so they must have been pretty similar. I believe both XG585 and XG588 went to Fleetlands in February 1966 for modernisation but presumably they were not modernised as both were awaiting disposal in September '67 and were sold to Bristows in October '69. Were these perhaps the last of the flying R.N. Mk.3's?
Last edited by 76fan; 3rd Nov 2013 at 12:05.