Tag: Newark Air Museum

World War One displays opened

WW1 models Newark Air Museum

After months of planning and preparation two new displays at Newark Air Museum are now open for public viewing to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War I.A new display area in Hangar 1 has recently been completed to house some of the larger objects, which have recently been moved out of storage in the museum’s archive. The area chosen for this display is behind the Tiger Moth biplane and close to the General aircraft Monospar restoration project.

The Hangar 1 display features various wooden propellers, from a variety of World War One aircraft types including: Sopwith Dolphin, FE.2b, RE.8, Airco DH.9A, Avro 504k and SE.5a. In addition to the Palmer Cord aircraft tyres to display also incorporates various period items of flying clothing; helmet, goggles, Sam Brown belt, a Balloon Observers coat and Royal Flying Corps (RFC) flying boots; plus a hand-held ‘camera-gun’.

Elsewhere on site in the Small Objects Exhibition Hall, there is a new display of hand carved wooden models, which depict a wide range of World War One era British, French and German fighter planes. This display is supported by a series of personal stories from local military personnel that fought in the Great War.

Both displays are anticipated to remain in situ until at least early 2015.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Aviation Memorials in Nottinghamshire

After months of research and preparation a new 36 page A5 colour booklet entitled, “Aviation Memorials in Nottinghamshire” has now been printed and free copies can be obtained from the Newark Air Museum. 

The booklet has been co-produced by the museum and the Nottinghamshire County Council, as part of the council’s Local Improvement Scheme grant programme. It provides an insight into the county’s diverse aviation heritage as represented by 40 aviation memorial sites in the county.

Copies have been distributed to most Tourist / Visitor Information Centres and Libraries across the county; and work is underway to widen those distribution outlets.

People can call in at the museum now to pick up a copy and as part of its commitment to the project the museum is willing to send off copies by post to people who request them. Such requests can be sent in via email to admin@newarkairmuseum.org or telephoned through on 01636 707170 (10.30am to 4.30pm daily).

Enquirers are asked to provide postal addresses if they are requesting the printed version or a valid email addresses if they would like the PDF version.

The museum trustees hope that many people will obtain copies of the booklet and that it helps them to see how in Nottinghamshire “We love to commemorate our aviation heritage.”

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Hunter T7 goes on loan to Newark Air Museum

Hawker Hunter T7

In early May 2014 news emerged in the aviation world about the possible scrapping of Hawker Hunter T7, XL618, which was displayed at Caernarfon airfield in North Wales.

Heather Graham of Lakes Lightnings made strenuous efforts to ensure that the airframe was not scrapped and then set about finding a suitable location to display the airframe. Following an approach to the trustees of the Newark Air Museum, an agreement was secured for Hawker Hunter T7, XL618 to be placed on long-term loan at the museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the border with Lincolnshire.

Hawker Hunter T7, XL618 was dismantled by a team provided by Lakes Lightnings and then moved to Newark Air Museum on the evening of Thursday 19th June, where it was reassembled the following day in an area on the museum’s Southfield Site.

The Hunter T7 fits a gap in the museum’s themed display of RAF training airframes and will help tell the story of RAF fast jet training. Following a detailed condition survey, which will be completed jointly by Lakes Lightnings and Newark Air Museum, the airframe will be restored back to its former glory in as yet to be confirmed colour scheme.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org

Days to go until Cockpit Fest

Newark Air Museum Cockpit Fest

Cockpit-Fest at Newark Air Museum

Preparations for this year’s Cockpit-Fest are well underway at Newark Air Museum’s site in eastern Nottinghamshire; close to the border with Lincolnshire

Newark Air Museum is a registered charity located on part of the former site of RAF Winthorpe and its two day Cockpit-Fest event attracts exhibitors from across the UK and Europe, to sample what one former-aviation magazine editor calls “grass roots aircraft preservation”.

From its humble beginnings, when a few like-minded enthusiasts first displayed one or two aircraft cockpit sections at the museum; Cockpit-Fest now regularly attracts, many more visiting cockpits and associated displays. This year twenty-two (22) visiting cockpits are already booked to attend. It has also developed a word to describe the participants – ‘Cockpiteers’; many of whom have lovingly rebuilt and restored these projects at home, Cockpit-Fest giving them the chance to display them in public.

The event is supported by a range of organisations and individuals; with the public being encouraged to have a say in deciding, which is the best cockpit by voting on their favourite display and from these results prizes are awarded.

Cockpit-Fest also attracts other visiting displays like the Raptor Foundation with its owls; local history / archaeological groups; military re-enactors; book launches; and even more aviation related displays such as clothing and historical artefacts. As an added bonus this year’s event has flypasts by aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on both days; plus the CGI Lancaster display from Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire.

Running alongside Cockpit-Fest is an Aeroboot aviation and avionics sale, which allows Cockpiteers and the public to search out those aviation artefacts, books and models.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June; and full details can be found on the News & Information page of the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org

Newark Air Museum Tribute to the V-Force

Valiant Bomber

Later this year the Newark Air Museum is hosting its fourth (4th) Tribute to the V-Force event, which is taking place on Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 May, 2014.

These two days form part of the V-Force Reunion Weekend, of which the official reunion gathering itself is planned for Saturday 17th May. During this day an area will be set up for former V-Force personnel to sign-in, collect their badges and this will be staffed by former members of the V-Force.

The reunion team is keen to hear from any former V-Force personnel. Full details of the activities planned and how to join the reunion can be gathered from the Reunion website at www.vforcereunion.co.uk

They would also like to issue a special appeal in particular to the following Squadron Associations and/or their former squadron personnel:

Valiant – 7 Sqn, 18 Sqn, 90 Sqn, 148 Sqn and 199 Sqn

Valiant & Victor – 232 OCU

Victor – 15 Sqn and 100 Sqn

Vulcan – 83 Sqn

Across both days of the event, which is also open to the general public the Museum Events Team is putting together a range of special displays. In due course a full list of participating groups will be posted on the News & Information page of the museum website www.newarkairmuseum.org/news.php

There is also some display space available for any Squadron Associations that would like to put on a display. Anyone that would like to apply for space is asked to request a participation form then please send an email to adminATnewarkairmuseum.org

On Sunday 18 May the museum is hosting a series of V-Force related talks and presentations, which will be hosted in a tented facility alongside Hangar 2. The event organisers would like to hear from any Squadron Association that might be interested in giving a short talk at this event.

Throughout the weekend we also plan to have a number of museum aircraft open for people to visit – this will include the Vulcan, Victor cockpit, Hastings and Varsity. A small additional charge of 50p person will be made for each aircraft visited. The museum continues to collect Log Book entries for Vulcan XM594, Hastings TG517 and Varsity WF369 and would welcome any additional information being provided during this weekend.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Christmas opening hours at Newark Air Museum

Newark Air Museum Hangar

The Newark Air Museum is open up to and over the Christmas holiday period, however here are a few key dates and times to help ensure that you don’t make a wasted journey.

As per normal the museum closes at 4pm on Monday, December 23rd and then reopens again at 10am on Friday, December 27th. On all other days the museum is open from 10am until 4pm, with last admissions at 3pm.

Visitors are reminded that there’s lots to see inside so don’t let any poor weather forecasts stop you from visiting. It is also worthwhile remembering that in the period after Christmas the café may be operating on ‘reduced rations’ for a few days due to the inability to buy fresh stock because of the Bank Holidays.

Before Christmas we hope that some of you might call in for those last minute presents, whilst after Christmas you’ll be desperate to spend that money you’ve been given. Don’t forget that we’ll also be closed on January 1st, but open again on Thursday January 2nd.

2013 has been a good year for visitors and income, which has enabled us to be able to hold our admission prices at the same level for 2014. As ever for those of you who can consider the Gift Aided admission it makes a huge impact on our income from the tax that we are able to claim back from HMRC.

Next year we have some important and exciting development plans in the pipeline so every visit that is made to the museum helps contribute towards those costs.

If by any chance the weather turns wintery and there are no visitors in the museum after 3pm, the museum may close early to allow the staff to get home during daylight. So as not to be disappointed by the museum being closed, please don’t leave your shopping trip until late afternoon!

Finally we would like to send out a big Happy Christmas on behalf of all the volunteers, staff and trustees to all those people who have supported us throughout 2013; whether you are visitors, shoppers or event participants many thanks for your custom, good will and kind comments. It really is appreciated!

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Newark Air Museum events for 2014

Newark Air Museum Vulcan Bomber

Here at Newark Air Museum, a registered charity, we’re already starting to make plans for our 2014 special events…

1 March 2014– Indoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble Table Top Sale 48 sellers tables all hosted inside Display Hangar 2 amongst the aircraft at the museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire. {Special discount admission rates apply}

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17 & 18 May 2014 – Tribute to the V-Force event dedicated to the aircraft and personnel that flew Valiants, Victors and Vulcans. This event includes a major reunion of former V-Force personnel. Based around the museum’s Vulcan aircraft and newly acquired Victor cockpit it will also feature many visiting displays and is open to the public. {Normal admission rates apply}

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14 & 15 June 2014 – Cockpit-Fest 2014 & Aeroboot / Aerojumble aviation and avionics sale; this regular two day event provides the perfect opportunity for the public to view a diverse range of visiting aircraft cockpits. {Normal admission rates apply}

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Full details about these and other museum activities can be found at www.newarkairmuseum.org

Victor Cockpit Moves to Newark Air Museum

On Saturday 5th October 2013, the Newark Air Museum took delivery of its latest exhibit, in the shape of a Handley Page Victor cockpit.

This particular Victor cockpit is believed to have been built as an airframe; however before being allocated a serial number it was converted by Redifon into a Victor simulator / procedures trainer.

It was once used to train Victor crews at RAF Marham in Norfolk and it has been placed on long term loan at the museum. After making the short delivery journey to the museum from its previous location near Lincoln, the Victor cockpit will soon be repainted in representative markings of the type.

The cockpit is internally complete and it will form a significant part of the display at the next Tribute to the V-Force event, which the museum is hosting on Saturday 17th May, 2014 at its site on the former RAF Winthorpe airfield in eastern Nottinghamshire.

The Victor cockpit will also be an integral part of the 2014 Cockpit-Fest event, which is being held on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June, 2014.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org

General Aircraft Monospar project update

Newark Air Museum Monospar project

Work on the on-going re-build of General Aircraft Monospar VH-UTH at Newark Air Museum continues to extend the knowledge of the volunteers undertaking the work on this rare airframe. Still working without any detailed plans for the ST-12 Monospar much of the most recent work has involved detailed structural items in and around the cockpit / fuselage.

Wherever possible the restoration team has been incorporating original items back into the airframe. In the cockpit the instrument panel has been reinstalled, along with most of the original instruments. Whilst the project was at Innsworth, some of the instruments were ‘quarantined’ and a decision is currently pending to decide whether or not these are refitted. If suitable replacements can be found these may be replaced, if not the originals will be incorporated and access to the cockpit area monitored.

Just aft of the cockpit the fuselage luggage hatch is being carefully rebuilt and this work is incorporating all of the original framework and hinges, which are contoured to the fuselage profile. However it seems likely that a new door will need to be fabricated as the original was damaged beyond repair.

A setback to the project has recently occurred with the enforced retirement of one of the team members, due to family health issues. His dedication and engineering skills will be missed, but his enforced departure will no doubt spur on the team members to continue with this project during the coming months.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org

Auster Project Progressing

Auster Newark Air Museum

Work on the Auster AOP.9 in Display Hangar 1 at Newark Air Museum is progressing. The nose cowlings and panels have been de-corroded and primed and fitted to the main fuselage frames; as has the cockpit glazing. At the rear of the fuselage similar work has been completed on the fin.

The internal restoration has also progressed, with the main instrument panels now refitted and installed. Work on the project is due to continue into the late autumn / winter months.

The Auster AOP.9 was originally moved out of deep storage at the museum and into Display Hangar 1 on 31st January 2012. A survey of the fuselage framework was then undertaken with a view to allowing the long-term restoration of the airframe. A set of wings for the project remain in storage at the museum.

The precise identity of the airframe has not been fully resolved. Examination of the manufactures plate on the aircraft gave a slightly confused picture about the military serials that it may have worn.

The main plate carries the following inscriptions:

B5-10-1185 issue 72 10-9-62

Elsewhere, a modification plate on the fuselage carries the following inscription:

AUS/R -10/74 or possibly AUS/R -10/174

The various suggested identities for the airframe still have not been fully resolved. XK381 or XS238 are believed to remain possibilities, while TA200 and XR238 have also been in the frame.

Any assistance in helping to resolve this particular AOP.9’s ‘identity crisis’ would be greatly appreciated; details can be sent in via the museum website at www.newarkairmuseum.org