April 13, 2023 10.15 am This story is over 16 months old

Red Arrows Scampton Gate Guardian goes up for auction

Bidding has already surpassed £30,000
The former Red Arrows team and RAF Scampton Gate Guardian was up for auction with bidding already surpassing £30,000. | Photo: GPSV Specialist Vehicle Auctions

The former Red Arrows jet which has become known as RAF Scampton’s Gate Guardian is up for auction – with bidding already surpassing £30,000.

The BAE Hawk T1A XX306 is a historic aircraft and was one of the Red Arrows’ original Hawk T1.

It was also the final one to leave RAF Scampton prior to its closure in March 2023.

GPSV Specialist Vehicle Auctions’ live auction started at 10am on Wednesday, April 12 and will close at the same time on Friday, April 28. The auction website was later updated with a changed closing date of April 26.

Bids have been coming thick and fast, which the highest at the time of publication being £34,000

However, amateur pilots should note there is no engine fitted to the aircraft, and no logs supplied.

The aircraft has clocked up 7,378 hours and 15 minutes of flying time during its career, with a total of 13,007 landings.

See the live auction and place bids online here

The total flying time for the XX306 is 7,378 hours and 15 minutes and it made 13,007 landings. | Photo: GPSV Specialist Vehicle Auctions

The XX306 was built at the British Aerospace plant at Dunsfold and handed over to the Royal Air Force on May 23, 1980.

The jet spent two months at RAF Valley before flying to RAF Kemble – the Red Arrows’ previous home – and joined the Squadron on July 3, 1980.

The aircraft was retired from the aerobatic team on October 20, 2012. It was transferred to Shawbury on October 22, 2012 and then placed into storage.

It was then selected to be the Gate Guardian for RAF Scampton and transferred to RAF Cranwell for cosmetic refurbishment prior to being moved by road to Scampton on August 11, 2015.

Inside the Scampton Gate Guardian’s cockpit | Photo: GPSV Specialist Vehicle Auctions

The aircraft was reassembled on the main gate on October 12, 2015 and unveiled to the public in a ceremony marking the occasion.

The jet has been disassembled by a team of experienced aircraft movers and is now located at the auction firm’s Leyburn facility.

Viewing can be arranged by appointment.

GPSV Specialist Vehicle Auctions said the frames are not included with the aircraft and it can quote the winning bidder for transport and reassembly of the aircraft at their location.

MyLocal Lincolnshire is the new home of The Lincolnite. Download the app now