A little bit of history was made when a Hawker Harrier jet returned to Kingston for the first time since it was built here in the 1970s.

And though the familiar swoosh of the "jump jet" made famous in the Falklands War was sadly absent, high-flying cadets were still anxious to learn from the real thing when the Harrier G3 arrived by road and was lowered by crane, at considerable expense, onto the squadron grounds of the 1034 Surbiton Air Training Corps last Thursday.

RAF reserve officer, Flight Lieutenant John Machin, said: "It is the first time that a Hawker Harrier, built in Ham Road in Kingston in the 70s, has actually come back to the borough. It is a huge bit of history.

"The jet was brought to us so we can teach the cadets the basics of flying and the principles of flight. We teach them from the age of 13 and at 16 some of them can solo an aircraft."

The Harrier flew in regular service from 1976 to 1990, and served on every squadron in the RAF during that time. Until now, the retired jet was based at RAF Cosford in the Midlands but it will now stay with the ATC in Surrey, which parades up to 50 members in Surbiton twice a week and allows boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18 to enjoy adventure and aviation activities, including shooting, abseiling and gliding.

Although in full working order, the jet will, however, remain firmly grounded and used for training purposes only.

As well as the jump jet, the Hawker-Siddeley Aircraft Company, was responsible for the manufacture of some of the most famous military aircraft ever produced, including the Hawker Hurricane and the Sea Hawk.

The jet is situated at the end of the car park at Queen Mary's Close, off Hook Rise South.

Anyone interested in visiting it can arrange to go and have a look by calling Flt Lt Machin on 0795 8311807.