Two retired RAF Red Arrows aircraft are being stored on a farm in the Yorkshire Dales after going up for public auction. The planes are currently available for viewings before bids end on Friday, February 3rd - let's take a closer look.
Red Arrows planes up for auction
The two aircraft were transported from their former home at RAF Scampton near Lincoln into temporary storage at Metcalfe Farms, Leyburn, over 150 km away. The Red Arrows planes were spotted on the back of haulage vehicles heading northbound along the A1 motorway ahead of their auction.
Metcalfe Farms Haulage, transporter of the two planes, said,
"We had the pleasure of moving 2 retired Red Arrows from their home at RAF Scampton, which has been the home of the Red Arrows since 1983, which makes them one of the longest-resident flying units in the Station's history, and we have moved them back to our own base camp at Washfold for temporary storage until they are purchased by their new owners. This could be you!"
Interested parties will have until 11:00 GMT next Friday (Feb 3rd) before the auction expires - the two planes, a replica Hawk jet and a Folland Gnat T1 trainer jet are currently up for online auction through Agility which you can check out here. The Red Arrows' long-term base, RAF Scampton, was initially shut down in 1996, although the acrobatic team continued to practice out of the airbase after it was reactivated in 2000 - with RAF Scampton shutting down for good in 2022, the Red Arrows have since found a new home at RAF Waddington, also located in the county of Lincolnshire.
Hawk Jet Recruiting Aid
The first plane up for auction (XX227) never actually flew as it was built as a replica to be displayed at recruiting events. The aircraft - listed as 'Hawk Jet Recruiting Aid' - comes with a cockpit, instruments, and ground power supply for lights.
At the time of publication, the plane has attracted 44 bids and is currently at £10,000 ($12,400) with over five days of the auction to go - notably, the current bid has not met the reserve price of the item.
Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.
Folland Gnat
The second aircraft is a Folland Gnat T1 (XR571) which first flew in 1963. The plane saw service with No.4 Flying Training School at RAF Valley for over a decade before it was retired in 1975 after a heavy landing - there have been 13 bids on this airframe (which comes without an engine) so far, currently at £9,100 ($11,280), also below its reserve price.
After being withdrawn from use, the Folland Gnat was repainted in Red Arrows colors and began its time as a 'gate guard' on display at RAF Brampton in July 1976 before moving to RAF Kemble in 1979.
Are you interested in bidding on either of these former Red Arrows airframes? Do you have any interesting items in your personal aviation collection? Let us know in the comments.