VT935 “Yellow Peril”

VT935 was the only P.111 built, and took about three years to complete. Powered ground runs began at Pendeford, Staffordshire, in early autumn 1950. Pendeford's short grass strips allowed taxiing only, so it went by lorry to Boscombe Down for reassembly.

Squadron Leader Bob Smyth made the first flight from Boscombe Down on 10 October 1950. Test pilot Ben Gunn flew most of the programme and found it highly sensitive on the controls. Spring feel was added to the controls, the rudder went to manual operation and a framed windscreen replaced the blown one.

A landing with the undercarriage stuck up ended the first phase. During the repair Boulton Paul added four petal airbrakes, revised the undercarriage doors and fitted a long nose probe. Renamed P.111A and painted overall yellow, it was soon known as the Yellow Peril.

It flew again from Boscombe Down on 2 July 1953. The Royal Aircraft Establishment then used it for delta-wing research, later from Bedford, testing each of its three wingtip shapes. Its last flight was on 20 June 1958.

VT935 then served Cranfield's College of Aeronautics as an instructional airframe. The Midland Aircraft Preservation Society secured it on long-term loan, and it arrived at Coventry Airport by road on 13 July 1975.

Displayed near the car park with the Vulcan and Blue Steel missile. Look for the yellow finish, the petal airbrakes on the rear fuselage and the long nose probe.