Tag: Newark Air Museum

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

Canberra PR7 to receive some TLC

Newark Air Museum Canberra PR7

Earlier in the summer Newark Air Museum was approached by Canberra cockpit owner Darren Green about the possibility of forming a restoration team to work on Canberra PR.7 WH791.

This particular airframe is on loan to the museum, so the museum trustees put Darren in contact with Terry O’Halloran a member of the 31 Squadron Association. Several years ago Terry worked on behalf of the aircraft owner to co-ordinate work on the airframe, which was undertaken by members of 31 Squadron Association and cadets from 1237 (North Hykeham) Squadron, Air Training Corps (ATC).

It has now been agreed that Darren Green and Terry O’Halloran will combine their resources and they are leading a group of Canberra enthusiasts who now plan to refurbish and repaint the airframe.

The museum trustees have recently agreed to fund the cost of paint and materials for the project. As part of this agreement it is understood that the Canberra PR7 will retain its distinctive 31 Squadron markings, but it will revert to displaying its correct serial number of WH791.

The recent spell of good weather has allowed some de-corrosion work and paint removal on the nose section of the fuselage to commence in preparation for the application of primer and paint. A detailed structural survey will be undertaken on the airframe in consultation with the museum’s Restoration Manager.

Canberra PR.7 WH79, which arrived at Newark fifteen (15) years ago in autumn 1998, is one of six Canberra airframes and cockpit sections displayed at Newark Air Museum’s site on the former RAF Winthorpe airfield in eastern Nottinghamshire.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/

Handley Page Hastings repaint at Newark Air Museum

Handley Page Hastings Newark Air Museum

The recent spell of reasonably settled weather has enabled the Newark Air Museum Restoration Manager and a small team of museum volunteers to make good progress with the restoration work on Handley Page Hastings TG517.

Most of the difficult to reach sections of the fuselage have now been cleaned, de-corroded and repainted. Work has also been completed on the undersides of the wings and is now underway on the engine nacelles, propeller sand upper wing surfaces.

The Handley Page Hastings TG517 was flown in to join the collection, landing on the runway at the former RAF Winthorpe airfield on 22nd June 1977 and is greatly valued part of the themed display of training aircraft at Newark Air Museum.

TG517 saw service during both the Berlin Airlift (Operation Plainfare) and the Icelandic Cod War (Operation Heliotrope). The aircraft is regularly opened to the public, where they can see the T5 equipment fit that it operated with at the RAF Bombing School at RAF Lindholme and then at RAF Scampton, where it trained Vulcan crew members to operate radar bomb-sight equipment mounted in the distinctive ventral radome.

Everyone at the museum is hoping for continued spells of good weather so the repaint can be completed before the winter months.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/

Autumn events at Newark

Here at Newark Air Museum, a registered charity, we’re already making plans for our Autumn 2013 special events…

1 August to 31 August 2013 – Fuel Tank Trail

Throughout this August children visiting the museum will be able to take part in a Fuel Tank Trail around the museum to search for aircraft fuel tanks. Entry to the Fuel Tank Trail will be FREE to each child that has paid to visit the museum with their parents, grandparents and guardians. There will be a small sweet based prize for each correct entry received during this period.

7 September 2013 – Autumn Aviation Book, Die-Cast & Model Sale

Following several recent bequests and donations of aviation books the Newark Air Museum has decided to host a special Autumn Aviation Book, Die-Cast & Model Sale on Saturday 7th September 2013 from 10am until 5pm in the Dambusters Hut at the main museum site. {Special discount admission rates apply}

12 October 2013- Indoor Aeroboot Table Top Sale

46 sellers tables all hosted inside Display Hangar 2 amongst the aircraft at the museum site in eastern Nottinghamshire. {Special discount admission rates apply}

Full details about these and other museum activities can be found on the news pages of the website, which is regularly updated www.newarkairmuseum.org

Viggen to come outside at Newark Air Museum

Viggen Newark Air Museum

To mark the return of the iconic Saab Viggen to the skies of Lincolnshire and the East Midlands the trustees of the Newark Air Museum have decided that they will being letting some air get around the ‘splintered surfaces’ of their Saab AJSH 37 Viggen; the only example of the type that is exhibited in the UK.

Plans are already well advanced to move the aircraft out of its undercover location in Display Hangar 2 and place it on temporary external display on the museum’s Southfield Site in eastern Nottinghamshire close to the border with Lincolnshire.

The actual date of the move outside still has to be determined, as has the length of time that the Viggen will remain outside; however it is expected that it will be on display in its new location until after the Waddington International Airshow has been held in early July.

This move represents the first time that our Saab AJSH 37 Viggen has been displayed outside since its official handover by the Swedish Assistant Defence Attaché in December 2006, following its delivery flight to nearby RAF Cranwell in February 2006.

www.newarkairmuseum.org