In 2009, this Sea King was painted in its original blue colour to mark both the 100th year of naval aviation and the 40th anniversary of the Sea King entering naval service.
Since delivery of the first aircraft in 1969, the Sea King has been at the forefront of UK military service, and 96 examples continue to be operated by both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.
When Sea Kings first entered naval service they were all painted dark blue, and remained so until the late 80s, when following the Falklands War, they were painted grey. Assigned to No.771 Naval Air Sqn at RNAS Culdrose, and now flown as a Mark HU-5, XV648 first entered service in October 1969 as an HAS.MK.1 and is the second oldest Sea King still in Royal Navy use.