Tulsa Hunters

Fri May 29, 2009 8:57 am

Two Hunters are sitting out on a ramp at Tulsa IAP as of this month.
Both are dark grey, and appear to be ex Royal Navy, one is a single-seater GA.11 and the other a twin-seater T.8.
Any ideas on their identities please?
Thanks,
Andy Marden

Fri May 29, 2009 9:16 am

Andy- Are you talking about the ones sitting at International Business Jet? They're sitting about 500 yards from me. I can see them out my window right now. What do you want to know? I think I have the s/n of each airframe, as well as some photos. There are actually 3 of them.

kevin

Fri May 29, 2009 9:32 am

Yep, those are the ones.
I'm after serial numbers, N regs, etc.
Thanks,
Andy

Fri May 29, 2009 9:54 am

Here's what I know...

There is an F.6A stored inside, which was originally XK149.

Outside, there is a T.8M that was XL603 and a GA.11 which flew as WV267. It also carried "836" on the nose, which is still somewhat visible under a few layers of paint. I am looking for my friend's photos right now, which are very detailed and essentially present a walk-around of the aircraft, along with photos of the data plates. Below are links to some photos of the birds that were taken by someone else and posted on their websites. Hope they are of interest. The birds are all in pretty poor shape, and IMHO, they will never fly again. They have sat just where they're sitting for at least 5 years, and probably more, exposed to Oklahoma weather and totally ignored. It would take a whale of a lot of work to make them fly.

They are the subject of some old disputes by the former owner and the IRS, and have essentially been abandoned on the ramp. The owner of the FBO is more than willing to talk turkey with any serious buyers, if ownership issues can be addressed. His unpaid storage and ramp fees by this point more than exceed the probable value of the airframes.

Hope that helps!

kevin

Inside F.6A (XK149): http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk ... php?id=245

Outside T.8M (XL603): http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk ... php?id=308

Outside GA.11(WV267 - "836"): http://www.fradu-hunters.co.uk/fraduhnt/836wv267.html

Fri May 29, 2009 10:46 am

Kevin,

Any idea what the deal is with the Harrier in the background of the photo of XL603 on your link? Is it at Tulsa?

Jim

Fri May 29, 2009 10:47 am

Kevin,
Thanks, that's just what I wanted to know.
Best wishes,
Andy

Fri May 29, 2009 10:55 am

The Harrier was at Tulsa, several years ago. I'm forgetting the guy's name (old age setting in at 31) but he bought several aircraft, including the Harrier, the Hunters, MiGs, etc. and was claiming that he was going to get them all flying to do jet training, airshows, fighter opposition for air force training, etc. He spent a lot of money, burned up a lot of favors at the Tulsa airport, hacked off some investors, got in trouble with the IRS and left town. I have no idea what's happened to him since.

Do you remember the promotion that Pepsi did one summer that was "win a Harrier"? This was that Harrier. The promotion fizzled, and the aircraft was sold at some point to another (unknown to me) buyer.

kevin

Fri May 29, 2009 10:57 am

There were 2 Harrier GR.3s at Tulsa, XV738 and XZ997.
Both are now part of the Flying Heritage Collection, although not to my knowledge on public display.
Andy

Fri May 29, 2009 10:59 am

Thanks, Andy. Great that you have the information. I was told (and it could all just be a great story) that when Pepsi was in trouble over its promotion, one of those Harriers in Tulsa was offered by the owner here in Tulsa to Pepsi as a way to fulfill its advertisement. There was some college student who actually got the 7 million points that Pepsi had quoted as the redemption price for the harrier, and he wanted his jet. From what I understand, the Tulsa guy was trying to help Pepsi with its dilemma while making a buck. As far as I know, nothing ever came of it.

kevin

Sat May 30, 2009 11:19 am

Andy Marden wrote:There were 2 Harrier GR.3s at Tulsa, XV738 and XZ997.
Both are now part of the Flying Heritage Collection, although not to my knowledge on public display.
Andy

Andy and Kevin,

Thank you that is what I assumed.

Andy, one of the Harriers has since moved on to Art Nalls as a spare source, but I'm not sure which one it was.

Jim

Sat May 30, 2009 2:25 pm

AirJimL2 wrote:Andy, one of the Harriers has since moved on to Art Nalls as a spare source, but I'm not sure which one it was.

Jim

Jim,
Thanks for that update.
Andy