XL659

SERIES 250 - VARIANT 253/Cmk1.

Constructors No. 13456 - Production No. 009

Built at Belfast - First flight 01.02.60 – C of A: Not known

Built to contract 12829, she was delivered to No. 511 Squadron RAF Transport Command on 4 March 1960, and named 'Polaris', serialled XL659. Operated within the Britannia pool at RAF Lyneham, between 99 and 511 Squadrons, later at RAF Brize Norton until withdrawn from service and ferried to RAF St Athan on 14 May 1975. A total of 19 051.40 hours were flown and 8054 landings made during her service with the RAF. Purchased by Young Air Cargo, XL659 was flown to Stansted Airport on 5 September 1975, and registered 00-YCB two weeks later. In the colours of Young Cargo wearing a revised red cheatline with all RAF insignia removed, she first appeared outside the hanger on 12 January 1976. March 1976 saw OO-YCB wearing 'In Co-operation with Liberia World Airlines' stickers. Flown to Ostend, Belgium in late August 1976, OO-YCB was used as a source of spares for Young's fleet of Britannias. OO-YCB was scrapped at Ostend, in December 1977 following a career of 19 600.49 hours and 8245 landings in total.