A self-storage company in west London puts eye-catchers atop its tower that overlooks A-40. A July 2013 G.E. image caught them placing one on display. Thankfully they understand what they have… 1/6 #planespotting #avgeek #aviationdaily #aircraft #aviationlovers #aviation #milair 
…so in 2021 they removed it and commissioned a thorough restoration. It's Hawker Hunter WT555, the 1st production F.1 and a very important airframe. First flown on 16th May 1953 from Hawker's plant at Dunsfold, it was retained by them for handling and performance trials. 2/6
It then retired to ground instruction duties at RAF Locking, then to the RAF Museum at Cosford with a camo livery it never had in operation. Incredibly, the museum decided to dispose of it. The owner of Vanguard wasted no time snapping it up as an eyecatcher. 3/6
At the end of July 2021, WT555 was removed from display at Vanguard and moved to North Weald Heritage Aviation for restoration. 4/6
In May 2021, the restoration project was complete, including its original overall silver livery. WT555 was moved by road from North Weald to Vanguard's building at Staples Corner, in London, where it is now inside, suspended from a ceiling on display. 5/6
It’s a fine new facility which does justice to this rare machine, now out of the weather and displayed as it deserves. Albeit in quite an unorthodox venue! Not a museum, but It looks more like the atrium of a luxury hotel than a self-storage business. 6/6
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