Delight as Falklands War aircraft arrives at Tangmere museum

The Tangmere Military Aviation Museum (TMAM) has acquired a veteran aircraft from the Falkands War.
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The Sea Harrier, ZX459, as an FRS1, served with No 800 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Hermes in the South Atlantic, according to the museum.

Museum curator Charles Hutcheon said the aircraft is in a ‘very good condition’ for its age.

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A TMAM spokesperson said: “During the conflict, the aircraft completed 49 Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions and four bombing sorties and was flown by Lieutenant Commander ‘Gordy’ Batt DSC on the first operational sortie of the war on May 1, 1982, the one where the BBC’s Brian Hanrahan, ‘counted them all out and counted them all back’.

DM2090206a.jpg Tangmere Military & Aviation Museum aquires a Sea Harrier. Museum curator Charles Hutcheon and the Harrier. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200109-184355008DM2090206a.jpg Tangmere Military & Aviation Museum aquires a Sea Harrier. Museum curator Charles Hutcheon and the Harrier. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200109-184355008
DM2090206a.jpg Tangmere Military & Aviation Museum aquires a Sea Harrier. Museum curator Charles Hutcheon and the Harrier. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200109-184355008

In addition to this operation, it is known that XZ459, took part on May 16 in a bombing attack on the Rio Carcarana, an Argentinian supply ship off Port King in Falkland Sound which caused the crew to abandon ship.”

Following its acquisition from a private owner, museum engineers began work on the aircraft in July to prepare it for transportation and the move was successfully achieved on August 25.

The aircraft now joins the museum’s RAF Harrier GR3 XV744 on the flight line to form a ‘Brothers in Arms’ display.

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Dudley Hooley, director of TMAM, said he was delighted to add the famous aircraft to the museum’s collection but that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the museum has had to wait until now for the aircraft to be moved to Tangmere.

DM2090186a.jpg Tangmere Military & Aviation Museum aquires a Sea Harrier. Museum curator Charles Hutcheon and the Harrier. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200109-184324008DM2090186a.jpg Tangmere Military & Aviation Museum aquires a Sea Harrier. Museum curator Charles Hutcheon and the Harrier. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200109-184324008
DM2090186a.jpg Tangmere Military & Aviation Museum aquires a Sea Harrier. Museum curator Charles Hutcheon and the Harrier. Photo by Derek Martin Photography SUS-200109-184324008

The museum said Lieutenant Commander Gordy Batt will always be associated with XZ459, flying it for 29 operations during the war, many as the strike leader on bombing attacks on targets such as Stanley airfield and Argentine shipping in the total exclusion zone.

The spokesperson continued: “On May 4, he led a low level attack on the airstrip at Goose Green during which his No 2 was shot down and the pilot killed. For these services, 37 year old Gordy was nominated ‘in theatre’ for the award of Distinguished Service Cross. Often he flew up to four air defence CAP sorties a day.

“On May 23, Gordy launched from HMS Hermes at night with three other Sea Harriers for a bombing attack on Stanley airfield. Shortly after launching his aircraft was seen to explode ahead of the carrier and he was killed. The cause of the accident has never been established. Gordy’s DSC was gazetted posthumously.”

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The XZ459 aircraft is now on static display at the museum, which has re-opened (Monday to Friday only) following a four month closure due to lockdown restrictions. In order to see the aircraft and visit the museum, pre-booking is essential.

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