In recent weeks a series of co-ordinated moves have been instigated at the Newark Air Museum, which will eventually culminate in Lightning T5, XS417 being repositioned ready for a refurbishment and repainting programme. The moves also allowed some important maintenance work to be undertaken on the roof of Display Hangar 1.
The initial move has resulted in Buccaneer S1, XN964 being moved into a permanent display position alongside the T33 on the museum's Southfield Site. The space created by the Buccaneer move allowed unhindered access to the area in front of Display Hangar 1 for the roof maintenance work to commence.
A knock on effect of this work was the need to temporarily move the Monospar VH-UTH and Harvard cockpit out of Display Hangar 1. Despite having its wings refitted nearly 12 months ago, since then the Monospar has been mounted on trestles and undergoing detailed restoration work. Whilst this work still has a long way to go before the airframe is re-covered with fabric, it has been lowered off its trestles and moved outside to let a bit of sunshine warm the nearly complete framework.
Once the Hangar roof repairs have been completed several other moves will be necessary before the Lightning moves into position and detailed work commences.
All Photo Credits: Howard Heeley - Down To Earth Promotions
