The following is taken from Thunder & Lightnings website - XE597 was originally built as an F.6 and served as such with 66, 63 and 56 Squadrons. After conversion to FGA.9 standard it returned to service with 208 Squadron in Kenya and later served as a trials aircraft with the Ministry of Aviation. Moving onto 54 Squadron and then 1 Squadron, she ended her service life with 229 OCU at Chivenor and later the TWU at Brawdy. Finally retired in 1985, XE597 became the gate guard at RAF Bentley Priory until replaced by a Lightning. After that she went to RAF Halton for instructional use. At some point she was scrapped and the nose section moved to the FETC at Moreton-in-Marsh where it resided in one of the classrooms - in excellent condition - for several years before being discovered by Bob Dunn and Mick Boulanger of the Wolverhampton Aviation Society. They made an offer and bought her not long afterwards! She's seen her on a trip to Newark for the annual