The Wings Aviation Museum is proud to announce the generous gifting of the original Kestrel undercarriage by the Royal Air Force Museum to support the restoration of Hawker Kestrel XS694 — a rare and iconic piece of British aviation history.
This extraordinary donation follows six years of delegation, discussions, and unwavering commitment, and marks a significant milestone in the restoration of XS694. The RAF Museum has gifted the complete main gear, nose gear, one outrigger, and two main wheels — vital components that will allow Wings Aviation Museum’s dedicated team to progress the project with greater authenticity and historical accuracy.
Manufactured by Dowty, a leading British aerospace engineering company now known as Safran Landing Systems, the Kestrel’s undercarriage was an advanced piece of design for its time — developed to withstand the demands of vertical and short takeoff trials. The survival of these original components is incredibly rare, making this gift both technically invaluable and historically significant.
The museum plans to reverse engineer the outrigger to fabricate a second one, ensuring the full set is complete. Anyone with experience in reverse engineering or fabrication of aircraft components is encouraged to get in touch and lend their expertise to this unique restoration effort.
“We are deeply honoured by the RAF Museum’s support,” said Aaron Simmons and Dave Cotton, joint project leads at Wings Aviation Museum. “The undercarriage is not just a mechanical part — it represents a major piece of British innovation and aviation development. This gift brings us one step closer to preserving a vital chapter of our aerospace heritage.”
“We are proud to support the restoration of Hawker Kestrel XS694 — an aircraft that played a vital role in the development of V/STOL flight and Britain’s aerospace leadership. The RAF Museum is fortunate to have a Kestrel on display at our Midlands site, where it continues to inspire visitors with its story of innovation and engineering excellence. By gifting these rare and original parts — which would otherwise remain in storage — to the Wings Aviation Museum, we are helping to bring another remarkable airframe back to life. It is through partnerships like this that we ensure our nation’s aviation heritage is preserved, shared, and celebrated with wider audiences for generations to come.”
— Maggie Appleton, CEO, Royal Air Force Museum
The Hawker Kestrel FGA.1 was a pioneering aircraft developed in the early 1960s to test Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) technology. With only a handful ever built, each surviving component carries immense historical value. XS694 is one of only two surviving Kestrels in the UK — and the only example to have been brought back from the United States, where it served with both the United States Air Force (USAF) and NASA during its active life.
In a fitting tribute to the aircraft’s legacy, once restored, Hawker Kestrel XS694 will go on public display at Dunsfold Aerodrome — the very airfield where it first took to the skies. This future display will honour not only the aircraft’s revolutionary design but also its unique connection to British aviation history and innovation.
The Kestrel is just one part of the Wings Aviation Museum’s ambitious future at Dunsfold, where plans are progressing for a new, expanded museum site. The new facility will tell the story of Hawker Aviation and British aerospace innovation at Dunsfold, from the early jet age through to the iconic Harrier. As part of its mission, the museum will deliver engaging STEM-focused educational programmes designed to inspire young people to explore careers in engineering, science, and technology — connecting classroom learning with real-world aviation heritage. Visitors will also experience enhanced exhibition spaces and hands-on restoration workshops, bringing the remarkable legacy of British aircraft design and test flying to life. XS694 will take pride of place in this new setting, helping to inspire future generations.
The undercarriage components will be integrated into the ongoing restoration efforts at the museum’s workshop in West Sussex, where volunteers and aviation experts have been working tirelessly to return XS694 to its former glory.
Wings Aviation Museum extends its heartfelt thanks to the RAF Museum for this remarkable gift and their ongoing support of historic aircraft preservation. Their generosity ensures that future generations can continue to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by Britain’s rich aviation legacy.
Wings Aviation Museum invites supporters, historians, and enthusiasts to follow the project’s progress and contribute to this historic endeavour. Donations of tools, parts — including essential skin pins — and financial support are all welcomed to keep this unique restoration flying forward.
