ONE of the RAF's rarest planes will make a triumphant return today to the Yorkshire Air Museum.

The historic Gloster Javelin XH 767 is to be resited today at the Elvington museum after a three-year absence.

The pioneering aircraft, which was one of the first of its kind to feature a twin engine, is 56ft long and 52ft wide.

It was equipped with "state of the art" electronics and radar when it served in the former West Germany between 1962 and 1965. It was also used extensively by NATO in early Cold War conflicts, defending Britain and Europe against high-altitude Soviet bombers, favoured for its equal capabilities in all weathers.

Fifty years ago, it was the first delta-winged jet fighter and an all-weather interceptor crucial to the Air Force between 1956 and 1968.

Repainted with 11 new squadron colours, the aircraft was brought to the museum from RAF Leeming by the Aircraft Transportation and Recovery Flight, RAF St Athan. The move back had been planned much earlier, as the work began in March 2005, but transportation was postponed due to St Athan's operational commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A Yorkshire Air Museum spokesman said it was excited to have the Javelin home again, which he said had "a strong Yorkshire connection, being based at Church Fenton, Leconfield and Leeming".

Of the 435 Gloster Javelin XH's built, there are only seven examples left. It is back on display to visitors from today.

The news comes as the museum launches the Against The Odds exhibition, opened by actor Sir David Jason last month.

Housed in an original wartime building at the museum, the exhibition looks back at the history of Bomber Command's history.

More than 55,000 air crew personnel were killed in action, or as prisoners of war, as the RAF launched strategic bombing raids across Nazi Germany.

The museum also recently hosted the BBC's Question Time programme.