Hornby Hobbies CEO, Lyndon Davies, donates Hawker Hunter as tribute

Lyndon Davies, chief executive of Hornby Hobbies has generously donated a privately bought Hawker Hunter XF509 to the Margate Hornby offices.

This particular plane is iconic because it was fixed on a pole outside of the Humbrol factory in Hull, which closed in 2006, for many years. It was then relocated to a military museum at Fort Paull also in Hull, until it’s unfortunate closure late last year. The Hawker’s story however, began with 54 Squadron in 1957.

Photo credit: Erwin Stam photographed the Hawker Hunter at Fort Paull

Mr Davies privately bought the aircraft at auction for £14,000 with the intention to use it as a tribute to the employees and their families who have passed in the last few months. Mr Davies wanted to find a way to honour the friends he worked alongside for so many years and their family members and the Hawker Hunter proved the perfect way to remember them. A small but mighty plane, it emanates spirit and resilience, even in its current state of disrepair.

When asked for a comment on the plans for the plane, Mr Davies told The Yorkshire Post: "Over the last year we have lost quite a few people, not just because of Covid, but through various reasons, and it is going to be in memory of them.

"I bought it personally, privately and will donate it to the company - our UK offices are in Margate. It's too early to say where it will be on display - we will take it, refurbish it and bring it back - it needs a little bit of work.

"Maybe people will be disappointed it isn't going to stay local, but in a way it is coming home."

Photo credit: Airfix artwork of our Hawker Hunter F.4 model. The purchased Hawker Hunter is an F.6!

The aircraft will be dismantled in Hull in the next few months and then transported to Margate. While it’s permanent home at the offices is still being finalised, plans are already in place to begin the renovation and restoration of the beautiful jet. It will be something of a passion project and you can follow the journey back to its former glory, via our social medias.

Over the course of the Hawker’s restoration period, we will be doing deep dives into the history behind it, in the lead up to the grand reveal of the finished plane. Michael Clegg, our resident blogger extraordinaire and Aviation Specialist, will explore the fascinating history of the Hawker Hunter jets, whilst we take a look at this particular jet’s past on social media. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on the newest pride of the Hornby offices!