Watch out there’s a Gnat out!

In a series of co-ordinated moves carried out earlier today the main wing assembly was the first item to be moved out of the Workshop. This allowed the fuselage to be briefly rolled out to enable the two ejector sets to be lifted into the cockpit. The fuselage was then briefly moved back inside the Workshop whilst the wing assembly was removed from its support frame and turned over.

Once turned, the fuselage was moved back outside and the wing assembly was lowered into position and the wing bolts carefully fitted. Once the reassembly process was complete the aircraft was towed across to its new display position inside Hangar 2. The museum volunteers will now undertake the refitting of the remaining inspection panels and slipper fuels tanks. This work will be completed under the supervision of John Rankin; the museum’s recently appointed Restoration Manager.

The aircraft, which is listed in the ‘Significant’ category of the National Aviation Heritage Register, arrived at the museum in December 2000. The purchase of the Gnat was made possible thanks to 50% grant from the PRISM Fund and a series of donations from museum members and the general public. The PRISM Grant Fund is now administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council [MLA].

The Gnat is another niche airframe in Newark Air Museum’s diverse collection of Royal Air Force training aircraft.

The Workshop will soon be home to Armstrong Whitworth Meteor NF.14 WS739, which will undergo a major in-depth restoration programme during the coming months.

Refitting the front ejector seat to Gnat XR534 prior to final re-assembly.	Refitting the front ejector seat to Gnat XR534 prior to final re-assembly.	Preparations underway turn the wing assembly of Gnat XR534 prior to final re-assembly.
XR534 in Display Hangar 2 awaits the fitting of its canopy, assorted access panels and slipper tanks. This work will be completed during the next few weeks.