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Eurofighter Typhoon DA4 at Duxford (photo: Steve Brooks, Imperial War Museum)
The Eurofighter Typhoon Development Aircraft, DA4, has gone on public display for the first time at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.
The aircraft was gifted to the museum by the Ministry of Defence in 2008 and was delivered in April 2009.
After completing its development life at BAE Systems, the aircraft was carefully disassembled by the RAF’s Recovery Team in-situ at RAF Coningsby and transported to Duxford. The personnel from RAF Coningsby worked alongside museum’s Conservation Department to reassemble the aircraft and carry out conservation work, in preparation for its unveiling as part of the Imperial War Museum Duxford collection.
DA4 was used in the early stages of the Typhoon’s development, prior to full production. The Typhoon is an extremely agile, multi-role combat aircraft. Its capability makes it the natural successor to several aircraft already on display in AirSpace at the museum, including the Harrier, Jaguar and Tornado.
A British-built two-seater, DA4 made its maiden flight from Warton, Lancashire, on 14 March 1997. It was flown for the first time by an RAF crew in April 1998, and in the same year it flew in formation with the Red Arrows at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. In June 2000, DA4 completed the first successful night flight by a two-seat developmental aircraft.
In December 2001, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, the UK’s former Chief of the Air Staff and now Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum, became the first non-RAF test pilot to fly the Typhoon when he took control of DA4 during a 60 minute flight from BAE Systems’ Warton facility. During this flight, the Typhoon achieved speeds in excess of 900mph.
Chris Boardman, Managing Director of Typhoon Mission Support & International Programmes at BAE Systems, said: “It is wonderful to see this aircraft take its place amongst other iconic aircraft at the Imperial War Museum. DA4 played a significant role in developing Typhoon’s world leading capabilities. It deserves its place in history.”
DA4 will be displayed in pride of place at AirSpace, Duxford’s newest exhibition, which tells the story of British and Commonwealth aviation.
