All change: RAF Honington's Buccaneer gate guardian replaced after 41 years

The Buccaneer S2 that has been serving as a gate guardian at RAF Honington has been removed after 41 years and given to a charity for restoration.

"RAF Honington are to replace XK526 with a more modern Tornado GR4 airframe to reflect the last flying heritage of the Station," RAF Honington announced on social media.

"Buccaneer S2 XK526 has been both a gate guardian and a tribute to aircrew lost on flying operations and in training from RAF Honington since 1983."

• Royal Navy Hawk jet's wheels turn one last time before becoming a gate guardian
• Tornado: The fighter that gave 40 years to the RAF
• RAF Tornados return home from operations for last time

RAF Honington added: "It has been a familiar sight to everyone on the station, visitors and those just passing the gate for over 40 years.

"[The Tornado] will continue as a tribute to those lost, and will sit on a platform in the shape of a Buccaneer, in a respectful nod to XK526."

A gate guardian is a retired or decommissioned aircraft that is put on display, acting as a reminder of the contribution it made to defence.

RAF Honington and RAF Heritage have agreed to pass the Buccaneer over to the Binbrook Collection for restoration.

The aircraft had stood as the guardian of the base since 1983.

The Blackburn Buccaneer S1 was originally designed for naval use, and entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1963, with all squadrons having converted to the more powerful S2 by 1966.

Used as a strike and reconnaissance aircraft, the Buccaneer entered into service with the RAF in February 1969 following the cancellation of the F-111 and TSR-2 projects.

It saw action in the Gulf War and was finally retired in 1996.

The first production Tornado flew in 1979, and the aircraft continued to be used by the RAF until it was retired in March 2019.