Since its arrival at Manchester Airport in 2003, the RJX100 G-IRJX had slowly deteriorated to the extent that it was looking quite neglected. Starting last summer, a team of us have made an effort at trying to restore the aircraft to a condition more fitting to a preserved aircraft. We usually attend every couple of weeks and so far have spent the time touching up the exterior, giving the aircraft a clean, returning the nosewheel so it points the right way, reinflating the tyres and generally tidying it up. Over the winter we’ve given the interior a bit of attention, replacing the flooring in the rear cabin and cleaning the flight deck. Here’s a few snaps of the aircraft over the last few months.
Looking clean and shiny last October.
20171014_091609 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
Still has the engines fitted and the fans still capable of being turned albeit by hand,
IMG_1488 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
The hydraulic bay is in an almost new condition.
20180210_133451 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
The airbrakes and rudder access panels open for inspection. Most of the aircraft is still in great condition
20171014_110847 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
The right elevator and servotab have suffered some damage in the wind. Access is tricky though.
20180224_142956 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
In the snow in December.
20171209_095943 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
There are plans to remodel the interior to allow a walk-through for the public.
20170916_124014 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
In the sunshine in February.
20180224_133945 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
20180224_134226 by dereknferguson, on Flickr
Work will continue this year, keeping on top of the cleaning and carrying on with the refurbishing, turning a historic airframe into a worthwhile exhibit.
By: Derekf - 20th March 2018 at 21:53
Good to see there is still interest. The aircraft is at the runway viewing park at Manchester airport along with Concorde G-BOAC, Nimrod XV231 and Trident G-AWZK. The RJX is open most days, even when we’re working on it. We’ll be there this coming Saturday to carry on the work.
By: Oxcart - 19th March 2018 at 17:40
They used to fly over our house all the time-so quiet! I managed to get a snap (nobody would elevate it to the status of ‘photograph!’) Of its first flight-with a ‘125 flying chase.
By: ozplane - 19th March 2018 at 12:58
I guess what was really needed was a re-engined version with just two engines.which could have competed with the Embraer/Bombardier twins. But B.Ae. never seemed really keen on competing on their own behalf in the civil world and stuck with Airbus.
By: Newforest - 19th March 2018 at 12:27
Great work from all involved. A brief synopsis of the type for us with shorter memories.
Avro RJX series Copied from Wikipedia.
The RJX-70, RJX-85 and RJX-100 variants represented advanced versions of the Avro RJ Series. The RJX series used Honeywell AS977 turbofans for greater efficiency (15% less fuel-burn, 17% increased range), quieter performance and 20% lower maintenance costs.[58] Bhutan carrier Drukair ordered two RJX-85s, while British European placed firm orders for 12 RJX-100s and eight options.[59] However, BAE Systems terminated the project in December 2001, having completed and flown only three aircraft—a prototype each of the RJX-85 and RJX-100, and a production RJX-100 for British European. BAE reached an agreement with Druk Air and British European in early 2002 in which the airlines agreed not to enforce their firm orders for the RJX. BAE explored the possibility of manufacturing 14 “hybrid” aircraft, however British European at least was unwilling to accept the risk of operating a unique type.
By: AndyY - 19th March 2018 at 12:02
Excellent work! The 146 and RJ are my favourite aircraft from the passenger’s point of view, I flew many times in them from Manchester or Warton to Munich and back from ’92 to 2005.
Very comfortable and I got the impression they almost landed themselves, never a bumpy return to earth!
And four engines gave me confidence, irrespective of any formal analysis, and I say that after many years working on aircraft safety analysis!
It was a sad day when the RJX project was abandoned. I’m sure they would have sold like the proverbial ‘hot cakes’.
It’s a pity the Manchester one can’t be moved back to Woodford and the upgraded Heritage Centre.
Andy
By: ozplane - 19th March 2018 at 11:05
Well done chaps. I always used to enjoy my trips to Frankfurt on the Air UK 146s. Always on time, even in some really poor weather.
By: Fouga23 - 19th March 2018 at 10:08
Nice work 🙂 Looks to be in very good condition still
By: AlanR - 19th March 2018 at 09:11
Nice work Derek.
Who actually owns the aircraft, and do you have to pay for parking ?
Sign In
March 19, 2018 at 8:55 am