For today’s instalment from the Lincolnshire Echo please see the link below!!

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=156582&command=displayContent&sourceNode=156408&contentPK=15721372&folderPk=87028&pNodeId=156139

Trent Aero are still in existence and are based at East Midlands Airport.
I think they did a lot of pioneering work in the early days of Spitfire restorations, restoring many sets of wings and several complete aircraft. Increasingly though, the Spitfire side of the business became more of a ‘side line’. IIRC the last aircraft they completed was MJ730. They are still in the aircraft business doing a lot of sub-contract work for Companies such as Rolls Royce and BAE.

Incidentally I was speaking to the chap who completed the restoration of TE 184 this morning, (Alan Purdy), and he mentioned he still has the original instrument panel. So if the new owner would like the cockpit restoring to the original spec then get in touch!

Joe,

I understand that the link below details some more recent work by Alan Purdy’s company.

http://www.deltaweb.co.uk/bbmf/news.html

Damn she looks good……….thats it next day off work I think I’m going to have to make a trip to NAM!!!.

Regards,

John.

Currently the Viggen is in plenty of space for good pictures, not sure how long it will stay like that!

Peter.

I was told that the Shackleton was being spruced up for an Anniversary event in 2007 – I think it was 50th Anniversary of Mk.3 Shacks entering service or something similar.

Hastings could do with some work, but I believe that it is the usual issue too much work and not enough volunteers. One positive came from the volunteer working on the Buccaneer who said that the museum volunteers were now starting to go on training courses as part of a BAPC scheme.

David Burke.

Forgot about the ‘Chippie’ after mentioning it on another thread, it needs to be moved in front of the Lee Richards Annular to be more noticeable. Perhaps it might become more visible when the wings are fitted.

I was at Newark yesterday afternoon and was talking to one of the volunteers’, who is sometimes involved in Enthusiast Tours & Cockpit Opening Events.

He mentioned that all parts, including recce pod, weapons pylons have now been re-fitted. Main outstanding work is electrical connections, which have to be completed to open cockpit canopy etc. He also advised:
– that so far no date has been set for the handover ceremony with the Swedish Air Force / Embassy;
– the final display location for the aircraft has still to be decided;
– details of any ceremony date / timings will be posted on their website. [Link below for anyone who doesn’t know it].

I must agree that the Viggen looks like one very impressive piece of kit!! 😎

http://www.newarkairmuseum.co.uk

Newark also seems to be busy restoration wise with work underway on the following exhibits: Heron; Buccaneer; Shackleton; Vulcan; Varsity & Javelin [both inside Hangar 2]; Gnat [in Workshop]; also Canberra PR.7 is now in 31 Squadron markings [work done by a guy from Lincoln and the North Hykeham ATC].

Possible information

Recently heard something via the 9 Squadron Association, about one of their Lancasters that was about to be recovered in Holland.

I believe that the aircraft was LL914, WS- U [Uncle], which crashed 23/24 September, 1944. It might have been on a Tallboy Op.

I believe there has been other coverage in the Dutch press [see link below]. Could this be the same project?

http://www.deventerwaard.nl/?m=20060914

Peter

On another thread I think that you asked about Vulcan access. I came across this on Newark Air Museum’s website and it mentions Vulcan access as part of a forthcoming event.

“EVENT UPDATE – AUTUMN 2006
An Open Cockpit Week has now been arranged from Saturday October 21 to Sunday October 29, 2006 inclusive.

The museum’s Cockpit Opening Team will be on-hand to open a range of different aircraft cockpits throughout the nine day period. This will include access to the following airframes: Vulcan, Shackleton, Hastings, Varsity, Canberra, Phantom cockpit, Wessex etc.

Normal museum admission rates will apply and a small additional fee is charged to cover access to each cockpit and not all cockpits will be open on each day. Nearer the date an opening schedule will be posted on the website to indicate, which cockpits will be open on what days.

Telephone 01636 707170 or email [email]newarkair@onetel.com[/email] for further details. [15.09.06]”

http://www.newarkairmuseum.co.uk/news.cfm

They also still occasionally ground run the APU on XM594 at Winthorpe during special events.