Britannia G-AOVF is currently be transformed into XM497 at the Cosford Museum. Formally displayed as a BOAC aircraft of which 'VF' first flew, she gained an RAF Freight door when in service with British Eagle. Subsequently she ended up being displayed as a 312F in BOAC livery after IAC Airlines flew her to Cosford. As Cosford is now only keeping Military aircraft on display, and as the Britannia is such a RARE aircraft which not only a superb Civilian history but also an RAF one she is being retained but is being repainted as an aircraft of the 99 and 511 'pooled' squadrons of Air Support Command.

Initially destined for the 300 series long-range variant and registered G-AOFF on 21 November 1955, to the Bristol Aeroplane Company Ltd, this was not taken up and the registration was cancelled on 1 January 1956, as the aircraft was not built as such. Rolled out of the production hangar at Filton, on 14 December 1957 she was later delivered to BOAC as G-AOVF at London (Heathrow) Airport on 2 January 1958. From 4 July to 20 August 1958, G-AOVF was at Cambridge for modification work. G-AOVF entered service as BA 563/132 on 6 September 1958. On 19 April 1958 G-AOVF was employed on a Royal Tour of the West Indies carrying H.R.H. Princess Margaret. The Princess flew in this aircraft on inter-island flights as well as BOAC's associate airline BWIA.

H.R.H. Princess Margaret was the first member of the Royal Family to fly a BOAC long-range Britannia. On 7 May 1958 at 07.l5am G-AOVF arrived back at London (Heathrow) Airport following the mammoth 11 000 miles tour of the Caribbean. G-AOVF had left Nassau, Bahamas at 04.00 G.M.T. for the return journey of 4500 miles, refuelling at Gander the same day. The total journey time was 14 hours 15 minutes. On returning to London (Heathrow) Airport H.R.H. Princess Margaret was met by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and for BOAC, in the unavoidable absence of the Chairman, by Sir George Cribbett, Deputy Chairman, and Mr Basil Smallpiece, Managing Director.

In command of G-AOVF throughout the tour was Captain Donald Anderson, Manager of the Britannia 312 flight. On 13 April 1963 while climbing out of Antigua, an explosion was heard on the starboard side of the aircraft and due to this No. 3 engine was shut down. The aircraft returned to Antigua and after arrival the problem was found to have been caused by a tyre exploding. Damage was centered around the undercarriage bay and jet exhaust pipe. All the passengers were transferred to another aircraft and BA 422/112 was terminated for repairs. G-AOVF suffered another in-flight emergency on 29 May 1963 while operating the BA 645/494 service during the descent into Montreal, Canada. For some reason an oxygen cylinder was ignited and had to be extinguished by a cabin steward.

In the process one unfortunate woman had her hair singed and another had her dress slightly burned; a steward burned his thumb but the only damage to the aircraft was caused by the extinguishing agent when it stained two seats. G-AOVF operated her last service with BOAC on 11 January 1964 as BA RCH/3243 on a flight between New York and London. British Eagle International Airlines, leased G-AOVF from 4 March 1964 on a five year hire-purchase lease agreement with the option to buy. The name 'Friendship' was allocated and she was converted to a variant 312F configuration during 1968 whilst still with British Eagle.

Returning to BOAC on 27 November 1968, G-AOVF was then purchased by Monarch Airlines of Luton on 22 January 1970 where she was withdrawn from use and put into storage at Luton Airport from the end of January 1970. Back in operation, G-AOVF was leased by Donaldson International Airlines from 21 April 1970 and allocated the name 'Nike', she was later purchased on 24 July 1972. G-AOVF was again withdrawn from service and stored at Baginton, Coventry Airport, from the end of July 1972. International Aviation Services (UK) Ltd purchased G-AOVF on 31 October 1972 who in turn leased her to African Safari Airlines on 1 November 1972 later returning to lAS Cargo Airlines on 19 December 1972 named 'African Queen'.

Invicta (1976) Ltd leased G-AOVF from April 1976 but after a brief return to lAS Cargo, she returned to Invicta International Airlines who in turn purchased her on 2 November 1978. Redcoat Air Cargo Airlines, leased G-AOVF on 3 August 1979 and once more she returned to Invicta International and up to 30 September 1980 G-AOVF had notched up 44 025 flying hours, carried out 11 371 landings and covered some 11 006 250 nautical miles which is equivalent to flying around the world 688 times. On 6 January 1981, G-AOVF was reregistered 9Q-CAZ and leased to IAC Cargo Airlines until 4 June, when she returned to Invicta International. Purchased by Merchant Air Ltd on 21 February 1984, and sold to Proteus Aero Services in May 1984, but was not operated, G-AOVF was flown to RAF Cosford on 31 May 1984 for preservation at the Aerospace museum. She was painted in the livery of her first owners and pioneers of Britannia Fleets, BOAC whose modern-day airline, British Airways, kindly helped with the repaint in December 1985.

During September / October 2007, the aircraft is being painted to represent an RAF Britannia C mark1 XM497.