Researched 2026-10-11 from the sources listed below. Airframes move between hangars, workshops and loans: check with South Wales Aviation Museum before travelling to see this one.
The airframe in brief
| Serial / registration | WK277 |
|---|---|
| Type | Supermarine Swift FR.5 |
| Built | South Marston, 1955, as Swift F.4 |
| Converted | FR.5 at Itchen works, Southampton, 1956-57 |
| Units / operator | RAE trials; No. 2 Squadron, RAF Germany, 1959-61 (code 'N') |
| Instructional serial | 7719M (Cosford, 1961) |
| Previous home | Newark Air Museum, c.1973-2025 |
| Arrived | April 2025 |
| Status | Under restoration |
| Where | South Wales Aviation Museum, Barry |
The story of WK277
WK277 was built at South Marston as a Swift F.4 and was ready for collection on 26 May 1955. It went straight into trials. The Royal Aircraft Establishment assessed its Mk.2 autostabiliser from July 1955, and Vickers-Armstrongs continued the work that autumn. From January 1956 it was cleared to fly as chase aircraft for the Scimitar prototype WT854.
In April 1956 it went by road to Vickers-Armstrongs' Itchen works at Southampton for conversion to FR.5 fighter-reconnaissance standard. It reached 23 Maintenance Unit at Aldergrove in March 1957. On 3 March 1959 it joined No. 2 Squadron in RAF Germany, coded 'N'. It was damaged in flying accidents in July 1959 and October 1960, and returned to the squadron after each repair. It left for 60 MU at Church Fenton in April 1961.
On 9 November 1961 it became instructional airframe 7719M at No. 2 School of Technical Training, Cosford. By 1969 the former test pilot 'Dizzy' Addicott had bought it to convert into a land speed record car at his Congresbury garage. The scheme went no further. It was at Newark Air Museum by May 1973, stood outside for decades, and was moved indoors and repainted in 2005. In April 2025 it went by lorry to St Athan. It is one of only two Swift FR.5s preserved.
Seeing WK277 today
In the museum's restoration hangar awaiting work before reassembly and public display; it wears No. 2 Squadron markings as 'N'.
| Museum | Adult entry | Airframes | Headline exhibit |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Wales Aviation MuseumBarry, Vale of Glamorgan | £10 | 73 | The resident Harrier and a growing VC10/Tornado-era collection, most with steps and open canopies. Kids exit wearing thousand-yard grins. |
Also known as: 7719M · WK277/N · Swift FR5 WK277