Newark Aeroboot and Museum

Thanks for providing that background Jon. A little bit of additional information about what is a significant airframe in the V-STOL story locally (Nottinghamshire) and nationally is explained in this short extract from an article I did on the project:

“Following on from the flight trials film footage from the Museum Archive also shows VZ608 being used to assess ground erosion and foreign object ingestion. This involved ground running the aircraft over a variety of loose materials, whilst the effect of the jet efflux from the RB.108 was filmed, monitored and recorded. The RB108 subsequently proved itself and VZ608 was eventually transferred to the fire dump at Hucknall.”

Other than the ‘coal scuttle’ intake configuration carried by VZ608, other different scoop fittings/ configurations are displayed alongside the aircraft and the RB.108 engine. 🙂

Taken from – http://plane-crazy.purplecloud.net/Aircraft/Jets/Meteor/gloster_meteor.htm

“VZ608 originally served with 208 Squadron as a standard FR.9 before returning to Glosters for test-bed duties. In 1951 VZ608 was transferred to Rolls Royce at Hucknall for reheat trials and in 1955 VZ608 was used by Rolls Royce as the test bed for the RB108 lift engine for the Short SC.1 programme. By removing the main fuel tank it was possible to install the RB108 behind the cockpit. The orientation of the engine could be altered in flight to simulate vertical flight, with a replica of the Short SC.1 air scoop fitted, to accurately simulate the SC.1 aerodynamics. Although VZ608 had under-wing fuel tanks the flying time was limited to about 30 minutes. After the successful trials, VZ608 was placed on the scrap heap at Hucknall but was rescued in February 1970 and moved to the museum. It is the only survivor of its mark.”

Jon

VZ608 Gloster Meteor FR9 (mod) ….. National Benchmark ….. OK .. I can see an air inlet ? behind the canopy ? Don’t think I have seen this on any other Meteors ?? What is it ?? What is different about this aircraft ?? :confused:

Keith.

Some interesting comments coming in! 🙂

It’s worthwhile noting that the ‘Dexion-style’ structural repairs’ in the nose area were in situ before the fuselage came to Newark.

‘A Bombay ****ehawk would of left more on it than that’ 😀 (Steptoe & son).

But hey, its better than nothing!

Awesome photo, they didn’t leave you much did they?:D

Thanks for posting them Keith – I had to tweak the cockpit shot to try and get some detail visible. I’m glad they’re of interest!! 🙂

Well I feel realy privileged, the ‘Nice man of Newark’ also known as ‘plugmeister’ 🙂 has mailed to me two photos of the interior of the Ashton ! which to me are unique and “awesome”

Ashton Forward …. Credit to TwinOtter23 ….

Ashton Aft …. Credit to TwinOtter23 ….

Sadly the Ashton fuselage is pretty much a gutted shell and has been talked about on here before http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=94538&highlight=Ashton

I did arrange internal access for a forumite – IIRC last year sometime, but I don’t think that any pictures were posted.

I also took pictures but I have no means of posting them, I can email them through if you want to PM me an email address.

If you look at Keith’s picture you can see the start of the framework that is being fabricated to get the Ashton fuselage ‘mobile!’

I agree are there any interior shots of this aircraft particularly the Cockpit?

TwinOtter23. You are truly a nice person ! thank you 🙂

Keith.

A couple of my favourite exhibits at Newark …. this one because of Hughie Green at Stansted often in the 60’s in one of these, and just a nice looking, very old, twin ?

Now this one is a problem to me ?? I have no idea why I am drawn to aircraft of this era, possibly the year I was born ?? but anything from British civil aviations wonderful, adventurous, years immediatly post war appeals to me ?? I would like the opportunity, one day, to look inside this aircraft with a camera in hand !

I’m not sure Keith but I’ll make some enquiries! 🙂

A little question ? Photo of Avro Anson VL348 ? What is the ‘finned thing’ below and behind the engine cowling, ahead of the main wheel ? Is that an oil cooler ???

Keith.

…but Plugmeister is fine as a nickname and one that I will proudly wear as a badge of honour! 🙂

I see you have indeed donned the badge. Good man! 😀 ps don’t worry about Scott; he’s generally dazed and confused :p

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH rightttttt

lol…thanks for clearing that up, i was slightly confussed 😀

Scott let me try and clarify the situation for you.

My post was responding to Keith’s post #37.

On Saturday 6th November the Harvard was then the most recent new arrival at Newark, albeit arrived there in August 2010 (before your visit).

On Sunday 7th November the Canberra PR7 cockpit WH779, arrived and therefore became the most recent new arrival at Newark.

was it?

i recall that being there when i called in on the way to skegness….or was that something else?

Yes Keith on November 6th the Harvard was the ‘most recent arrival’.

Good to have an all ‘too brief chat’ on Saturday John – if you could call it such! 😮

Thanks for the positive comments.

Bit late in the day but I would like to add to this thread, firstly it’s been a very long time since I last visited NAM owing to personal reasons, this event gave me a little kick up the harris and I decided to get down there.

I was yet again impressed with the first rate organisation and welcoming atmosphere of the wole event, the crew at NAM are a great bunch and those who hadn’t seen me fora while made me feel very welcome.

The range of stalls was as ever very comprehensive and although I only bought one instrument, it was the one I had been looking for for a while and gave me a broad smile all the way home!!.

So all in all another cracking aeroboot and my heartfelt thanks goes out to all at NAM and the stallholders who devote their time to making this event what it is.

Regards,

John.

Am I correct in thinking that on Saturday 6th ….. this was the latest arrival ? soon to be upstaged by a certain Canberra section ?? but still worthy of a few photos, as we will soon forget what it looked like upon arrival ?? Keith.