A HARRIER jump jet has been restored to its former glory by a North Yorkshire firm.

Jet Art Aviation, based near Selby, which specialises in the restoration of ex-military aircraft for museum and display use, spent 18 months restoring the 1976 Hawker Harrier GR3 serial number XZ130.

It has now gone on sale, with marketing manager Cameron Wingate saying it was believed to be the first time anyone had offered a Harrier GR3 of this calibre for sale to the general public

He said the aircraft previously served with 4 Sqn in Germany and in the Falklands in 1982 and was last flown in 1990 by Flt Lt Jon Herrod.

“This has been the company’s most in-depth and adventurous restoration yet and the end result is stunning,” he said.

“More than 2,000 man hours have been spent on the transformation and restoration which was split into two key phases.

“The first phase was spent on mechanical work and sourcing many parts and components culminating in a successful ground run and systems check, where the Rolls Royce Pegasus engine was started for the first time in 25 years.

“At the moment of truth, the engine spun into life with a puff of smoke, then ran sweet as a nut for the duration of the 4-and-a-half-minute test, during which the engine was taken up to 35 per cent thrust.”

Mr Wingate said the initial smoky start had been expected as the engine had been inhibited in 1990 with preservative oils, which burnt off, after which the engine ran sweetly without missing a beat.

“What makes this achievement even more impressive is the fact that the aircraft had stood outside for a decade as a gate guardian for a London Air Cadet Squadron not far from the Kingston Hawker factory where the jet was built.

“The time outside had not degraded the aircraft and the fact that she started first time is a testament to the British engineering and build quality.”

He said the second phase of the restoration was cosmetic, a full repaint in gloss with service markings applied as she last flew, including the 4 Sqn special yellow lightning flash red and black fin and pilot’s name on the starboard side of the cockpit.