07/07/2007. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The pictured aircraft, s/n XS688, first flew as a P.1127 on March 7, 1964, was delivered to West Raynham, Norfolk, on June 25, to become part of the Tripartite Evaluation Squadron and was renamed Kestrel F(GA).Mk.1 in September 1964.

On February 19, 1966 it was delivered to the USAF as a XV-6A, s/n 64-18262. After trials at Edwards AFB, California, the aircraft was transferred to the AF Museum in 1970.

The sign in front of the aircraft displays the US Army designation VZ-12. In 1958 the US Army introduced the VZ designation, indicating Vertical Lift Research. Two Hawker P.1127s were ordered in Fiscal Year 1962 under the US Army designation VZ-12-HS, s/n 62-4507 and 62-4508, however these were never delivered.

On September 18, 1962, the US Department of Defense combined all services designations into the existing USAF designation system. The VZ-12 was redesignated XV-6A, so there has never existed a VZ-12."

Read the History Brief .