This month’s Silverstone Classic sale is set to offer a unique opportunity to acquire fantastic pieces of RAF history when two of the world’s most famous fighter aircraft are offered at auction. Hosted by Silverstone Auctions, the sale on 26th and 27th July will include a ‘best of the best’ 1976 Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3 Jump Jet and a 1988 Panavia Tornado F3.
The Harrier, offered at no reserve, is one of the finest ever offered on the open market. It saw service throughout the Cold War in Germany, Belize and the Falklands and is preserved in almost time capsule conditions. The condition is so good in fact, that there is serious potential for a future return to flight.Thecockpit is in highly original condition with the Martin Baker ejection seat still installed.
“We’ve never offered anything like this before and it’s a privilege to be able to offer one of, it not the finest, Harrier in the world” said Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions. “The history and provenance of the plane, combined with the fact that the aircraft is so complete, means this really is an exciting opportunity.”
Joining the Harrier is the only privately owned Tornado in the world. Also offered at no reserve, its 3000 hours of active service includes a stint as the personal mount of the Commanding Officer of 56 Squadron and visits to Malaysia and Alaska on exercise. Sold for display purposes, the plane was last flown in 2003 with the cockpit in particularly good order.
This is likely to be the only time a RAF Tornado F3 is offered for auction as the entire fleet, bar a handful of aircraft preserved in national museums, has now been scrapped.
Nick added: “We’ve sold an eclectic range of historic vehicles in the past but these really are some of the most exciting yet. But if fighter jets don’t appeal then we’re also offering more than 100 classic cars and motorcycles in our two day sale at the home of British motorsport.”
For more information on the sale please visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/the-silverstone-classic-sale-2014.
