05/31/2007. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "This aircraft was the first production S.Mk.2 aircraft manufactured at Brough, Yorkshire, and towed 10 mls (16 km) to Holme-on-Spalding Moor for its first flight that was made on June 5, 1964. Delivered to the RN on June 18, the aircraft was extensively used for trials and proving flights from shore bases and from aircraft carriers.

On July 23, 1965, XN974 accompanied by XK527 and XN976 flew to the USA via Iceland and Canada for a test and demonstration tour. On the return flight XN974, flown by Commander G. Higgs, became the first RN FAA aircraft to cross the North Atlantic non-stop without refueling. On October 4, 1965, the 2,192 mls (3,568 km) from Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, to RNAS Lossiemouth, Scotland were flown in 4 hr and 16 min.

This aircraft was transferred to the RAF on January 3, 1971 and was used again for trials. Retired in 1991 it was flown into the Yorkshire Air Museum where it is maintained in ground operational condition."