Her First Tour of service was with the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell.  During 1971, XW322 was one of two Jet Provosts selected to be the personal aircraft of HRH Prince Charles during his Royal Navy pilot training. As aircraft '1', XW322 ultimately became the primary aircraft used, and had the royal cipher painted on her air intake.

In February 1994, Global Aviation purchased XW322 from MoD. She  was ferried to Binbrook airfield in Lincolnshire in October 1994 and offered for sale. The ROYAL was subsequently exported to the USA. She was originally registered as N8086U but was quickly changed to N199ER, with the ER representing Her Royal connections as the Primary Training Aircraft assigned to HRH Prince Charles’.

Previously Based In Denver, the Royal XW322 has become the pride of JET PROVOST FLIGHT, LLC, comprised of US Air Force Auxiliary Pilots and led by former RAF Pilot Col. Brian D. Childs, Callsign ‘JUMPER’. Nicknamed the 'North American Royal', Her Crew recently enjoyed a 4-hour ferry flight from Denver to her new Houston Base in August 2004.

HISTORY

During the mid-1950’s, Britain’s Royal Air Force utilized converted front line jets for training purposes. The Hunting Percival Company felt it could tap into this market with an inexpensive two-seat jet-powered version of its successful Provost piston engine aircraft.

The Jet Provost design was later developed into the popular and capable BAC Model 167 Strikemaster light attack jet, but even the Jet Provost was to be armed with two machine guns on the export versions of the aircraft. Armed versions were sold to Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Sudan, Iraq, South Yeman and Venezuela.

With a top speed of 440 mph, excellent maneuverability, mechanical reliability and low operating costs, the Jet Provost was an outstanding example of its type. Retired from the military, the Jet Provost is now a popular jet for warbird enthusiasts worldwide.  

110 Jet Provost T.5s were ordered by the RAF from the British Aircraft Corporation and all were delivered.   

The Last Variant of the 450 MPH JP has survived in large numbers, no doubt assisted by the type surviving in RAF service until 1993. Some T.5s and T.5As still serve the RAF in the 21st century as ground instructional airframes in the Technical Training schools.

BAC Jet Provost T.5 XW322 was built at Warton, Lancashire, and was rolled out in early 1970. After thorough testing it was declared ready for delivery to the Royal Air Force a couple of months later. Its first tour of service was with the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell. During 1971, XW322 was one of two Jet Provosts selected to be the personal aircraft of HRH Prince Charles, during his Royal Navy pilot training. As aircraft '1', XW322 ultimately became the primary aircraft used, and had the royal cipher painted on the air intake.

In August 1975 the ROYAL was flown back to Warton for conversion to T.5A specification. Given the plane set number PS5069, the 69th JP to be upgraded, XW322 was test flown on 15th January 1976, and returned to Cranwell on the 30th the same month. Put back in service immediately she remained with the RAFC until 1988, when she was transferred onto the strength of No.6 Flying Training School (6FTS), RAF Finningley. Upgraded to T.5B status and re-coded 'D' her new role was to help train the RAF's next generation of navigators. On 23 June 1993 the ROYAL was retired from active military service.

SPECIFICATIONS
 

• Engine:                 One 2,500-pound thrust Bristol Siddeley Viper Mk 202 turbojet

• Weight:                 Empty:                 4,888 lbs.,    
                               Max Takeoff:       9,200 lbs. 

• Wing Span:          36ft. 11in.

• Length:                34ft. 0in

• Height:                 10ft. 2in.

• Performance:       Maximum Speed: 440 mph
                              Ceiling: 36,700 ft.
                              Range: 900 miles

• Armament:           Export versions featured two 7.62-mm  machine guns, plus
                              underwing hardpoints for a wide variety of bombs, rockets,
                              or missiles.