Gnat progress at Newark Air Museum - March 2nd 2007 News Release
During the last week further significant progress has been made in the reassembly of Folland Gnat T.1 XR534 [8578M] at Newark Air Museum. Most recently the tail fin has been re-fitted to the fuselage and this work has been complimented by the location and fitting in of around 40 [forty] access plates and panels.
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].
When retired from service in December 1977 this particular Gnat airframe was allocated as a gate guardian to RAF Valley on Anglesey. In recent months much of the in-depth restoration work undertaken by the museum volunteers has centred on the removal and replacement of heavily corroded structures deep within the airframe. It is believed that much of this corrosion was caused by the harsh sea air at RAF Valley, a fact highlighted by the removal of sand from some internal sections of the fuselage.
The Gnat is another niche airframe in Newark Air Museum's diverse collection of Royal Air Force training aircraft.
