These FG.1 s were transferred to the RAF to operate and interceptors to enhance the Lightning fleet with an aircraft with a longer range, longer endurance and quadruple the missile load. 

In 1969, 43 Sqn “The Fighting Cocks” was reformed at RAF Leuchars in Scotland and this aircraft, XV571, was part of the original squadron line up.

XV571 first flew on 12 November 1968 and was delivered on 07 June 1969, joining 43 Sqn when they reformed 01 September that year.

In August 1986, and now the CO’s aircraft, it was specially decorated in this eye-catching checkerboard livery to celebrate the squadron’s 70th anniversary. The spine checks didn’t last long however as by the end of the year they had disappeared (the probably got in the way during maintenance), the tail livery stayed however through right though1987 until receiving another special scheme in 1988 (2 parallel lines of checks on the tail).

In 1989 the Phantom was withdrawn from service and replaced by the Tornado.

XV571 met its final fate in April 1992 when it was broken for scrap by Adam’s Scrapyeard at Leuchars.

The model is Finished in Hataka’s Acrylic paints A141 BS Medium Sea Grey, A142 Camouflage (Barley) Grey and A217 BS Light Aircraft Grey – the decals come from a long out of production sheet by ModelDecal.