In 1962, the Merlin Flying Club (RR employees flying club) arrived at Hucknall from Nottingham (Tollerton) Airport. The club initially had no aircraft but set up its operation on the former wartime RAF south dispersal. The first Chief Flying Instructor was Arthur 'Barney' Barnard, a test pilot at the RR flight test establishment. To enable the club to provide flying training, in 1963 it received an Auster J/4 aircraft registered G-AIPH. Towards the end of 1963 a major overhaul of the Auster took place. The club also modified the aircraft to accept a Continental O-200 engine, replacing the Blackburn Cirrus Minor engine which had become aged. RR Chief Test Pilot Cliff Rogers conducted the validation flying for the engine modification and overhaul.