Wedgetail Goes Grey
It’s been well documented that the Wedgetail’s entry into Royal Air Force service is significantly behind the original planned date of 2023. However, by October 2024, the entry into service finally appeared to be moving forward as the first Wedgetail AEW1 flew to Southend Airport for painting.
WT001 completed its first post‑conversion test flight at Birmingham Airport on 20 September 2024, before transiting to Southend Airport on 1 October for painting with Air Livery. The aircraft rolled out of the hangar just over a fortnight later, on the 18th, in an all‑over light grey scheme — to the surprise of no one. What did catch the attention of enthusiasts, however, was the inclusion of squadron markings: VIII Squadron’s Jambiya — a sheathed Arabian dagger — displayed in full colour on the vertical stabiliser, and the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Component crest on the nose, as VIII Squadron falls under NAEW&CF and will work alongside their E-3As.
After departing Southend, WT001 returned to Birmingham for further modification work with STS Aviation Services, before moving to Boscombe Down for system testing and evaluation in July 2025. It is currently back with STS Aviation Services and will eventually be based at RAF Lossiemouth.
