BAC Jet Provost T4 XS209

History & Specifications

Engine1 Viper Mk.202
Thrust2,500 lbs / 11.12 kN
Max Speed440 mph / 708 km/h
Max Range700 miles / 1126 km
Length32 ft 5 ins / 9.88 m
Wing Span36 ft 11 ins / 11.25 m

The BAC Jet Provost was a jet training aircraft developed in the 1950s by the Hunting Percival Company, which later became the British Aircraft Corporation.

The type served with the Royal Air Force, in various versions, between 1955 and 1993. 

Our aircraft was built in 1964 and was one of 184 ordered by the RAF, which started arriving at bases in November 1961.

XS209 was delivered to RAF Manby, Lincolnshire on the 4th of February 1964 with two other T4’s. 

The Jet Provost T4 aircraft was adopted for training purposes by the Royal Air Force College and the Central Flying School alongside their fleet of T3’s. 

In 1970 the T4’s were found to be suffering from fatigue problems, which saw their permanent grounding and retirement earlier than planned. 

It was purchased for the museum in 2006