Gnat sighted at Bournemouth

[Gnat-trap]

Sighted XR537 (G-NATY), the former Red Arrows Gnat T1, leaving Aim's paintshop at Hurn on Monday, being towed back towards De Havilland's engineering hangar.

Decked out in very shiny new Reds livery (proper fuselage lightning stripe from the look of things) ... she looked very :cool:

Later enquiries around the museum confirmed that she's being restored to flight status! :D ... which will (I think - checks book) make her the only genuine Reds Gnat on the UK circuit?

Two local biz guys are apparently arranging for her to be put back in the sky and things must be pretty advanced, or why bother with a 5-figure respray? :ok:

Anyone else know anything?

[2port]

Second gnat (reg XR730?), which is in a selection of bits, has been taken out of storage (iso container), to be used for parts to help get first one airworthy.

2P

[Gnat-trap]

Looks a pretty serious attempt then to get it all going again, especially if they're cannabalising that other body for parts. There's no way anyone would buy another carcass just to get a static Gnat on display.

Must be a very serious effort!:D

Am I right in saying that she'll be the only genuine Reds Gnat flying in the UK, if not Europe...the rest (3?) are in the States, I think. I heard the rest got bent.

Does anyone have a list of where they all are, and which ones were genuine Reds ones?

XR537 is definitely one of them as the 25th Reds Anniversary book shows them in formation, belly-side up, with XR537 underwing reg. showing clearly.

[fradu]

Could the spares ship Gnat be XR954, recently advertised for sale, unrestored?
I would guess that once it's christmas tree days are over, it would go into the Museum as a static airframe?

[Gnat-trap]

Bournemouth Daily Echo has an article on it today. Looks like it's a very serious project. Two local MDs sorting her out by the looks of it. :ok:

[innuendo]

Someone I was on squadron with is involved in a museum in the San Diego area that I believe has a Gnat. They also have a Mig21 dual. I'd post a photo of the Mig if I knew how.

Found their URL, it is www.sandiegoflightmuseum.org
The web site seems a bit out of date in some sections.

[fradu]

I have just returned from Hurn after a visit to the Bournemouth Aviation Museum.
XR537 was inside the de-Havilland Aviation hangar, though sadly not in a position to photograph. It looks awesome in its new livery.

I got a photo of the spares ship, which is indeed XR954, and I'll post it later tonight.
It had a 8xxxM number on it, so I'm guessing it's a former RAF Halton training aircraft?

Mark

[fradu]

Here it is...

http://www.stringbag.flyer.co.uk/buk/xr954.jpg

[Krystal n chips]

fradu----that's a very nostalgic shot of a dismembered Gnat---many thanks. :ok:

[BEagle]

:{ My logbooks reveal that I flew a few hours in XR 954 many years ago at Valley....

Hope she gets put on static if she can't be returned to the sky!

[josephshankes]

Will take a lot of "priming" to get that back in the air.

[Yankee]

Sighted XR537 (G-NATY), the former Red Arrows Gnat T1, leaving Aim's paintshop at Hurn on Monday.

Credit where credits due, I believe it was Airtime Aviation that did the paint job. Also did the Vixen.

[Onan the Clumsy]

It looks like a gigantic Airfix kit :ooh:

[Krystal n chips]

Onan your not far out with that comparison---the little beast was actually quite easy to take apart, almost modular in fact --unbolt the tail section, disconnect the cables,slide out the donk, remove saddle and slipper tanks, unbolt the wing and ----bingo !

The real "fun" comes with component changes however--it helps if you have 11/32 fingers for a start, the pulley box ( for the flying controls ) offers hours of cramped knees due to it's location--behind the rear seat--the LOX charging point was, "not designed for access in-situ"--to put ir mildly----but the really, really " interesting bit was a Hobson unit change--and the setting up of the tailplane----:{ ----the compensation however--for me at least--was several back seat rides--and some very panoramic views of Wales at low level--when--coughs---"hooligans" were still--- ahem-- tacitly condoned in the RAF. :ok:

[A37575]

There is a red painted RAF Gnat in bits and pieces in a hangar at Essendon airport, Victoria, Australia. No. 101 I think. Belonged to someone called Arnold Glass some years back. Been at Essendon in that state for two years. Suspect it will be like that for a few more years due costs of putting into flying condition.

[treadigraph]

Hmm, Glass certainly had at least one Gnat at Cranfield a few years ago, plus a number of Lightnings. Think it was XS101/G-GNAT, which according to Gin-Flow is now in Oz.

Might also have been owned by Stephen Grey/TFC for a short while in the early 80s, before he focused on piston types.

[XR537]

Yes, you're all very correct... it is XR537 being restored to flight status, although we have had to carve up her sister 954 to be the donor on several vital parts. It might be possible to get the remaining shell of 954 at least put back together for static purposes. Gnat-trap is correct in assuming that 537 will the only genuine former Arrow in flight condition, having served on the team between Autumn 1975 until the Hawks came in in 1979. 537 also had the honour of being Red 1's kite during her time on the team, and both Arthur Gibson and Richard Cooke have shot her on film in that position.

537 in her new paintjob...more news will be released once she's got her MOT ;) ...

http://www.redarrows.com/images/xr537-006.jpg

:ok:

[treadigraph]

Nice to see an upright Sparrows Gnat from underneath - all my memories are an impression of looking down on the team, unless they were rolling or looping or otherwise upwardly mobile. Not like those nasty, brash Hawks...

Happy days... Good luck XR537, I look forward to seeing her in the air.

[XR537]

Yankee is correct.. it was Airtime Aviation, not Aim, who did the respray. I think Gnat-trap assumed it was Aim as it went past their building.

Engine tests are scheduled to be run soon. :ok:

Will post some new pix, when I've downloaded the camera.

[BOAC]

IIRC 537 moved in from the 'thrashing' positions to the lead to preserve fatigue life mid seventies. I have not looked at my scrap books but I believe (the sadly departed) 'Eccles' had her for a time as Red 4. I flew it a bit too, probably contributing to its fatigue!:D

[XR537]

If you go down to the woods today...

Checking the fuel-up and pressure testing, and we hope to have her fired up today :D

She'll be runway testing for the next week or so. :ok:

[AerBabe]

I thought one of Kennet's Gnats was an Arrer...

[fradu]

Both Kennet Aviation's present Gnat (G-TIMM/XP504) and their past Gnat (G-BVPP/XP534) never served with the team I'm told.
They do proudly sport the colours though.

Most of the ex-jets ended up in the USA, after being disposed of by the Fleet Air Arm at RNAS Culdrose.
They were used for Flight Deck training at the SAH (School of Aircraft Handling), now named SFDO (School of Flight Deck Operations)

HTH,
Mark

[AerBabe]

Thanks Mark.
Have since found out that Kennet used to have an ex-Arrers Gnat, but it got sold to someone in Australia. BTW, they still have G-BVPP ... but it's at the back of the hangar now!

[jimgriff]

How do you go about having the Folland seats serviced. Can you still get cartridges?
I'm aware that you can get older marks of M-B seats serviced quite easily, but the Gnat seats must be a nightmare. If I remember correectly the parachute system had pyrotecnics installed to assist in deployment. Or have I got that wrong?

[XR537]

The EngO chaps did say that, yes, the seats element of the project had proved (shall we say) a little difficult and were one of the more 'challenging' aspects of the whole refit, and 12-bore pheasant-pepper-pots were looking like the only option for a while! ;)

However, they have now got it all sorted and scheduled for full overhaul. As to the technicalities of the operation of the chutes, I am afraid I'm not that technically knowledgable... I'll ask the experts who are doing the overhaul.

In the meantime, this is XR537 in Red 1 position in 1976 as Sqn. Ldr. Duckett takes her through her paces...

http://www.redarrows.com/images/xr537-001-1976.jpg

[XR537]

Fan tests went all okay on Friday - cleared out the dust, soot and spiders. All the lights went out which is a really good sign. :D


Full wet flame test this week, depending on runway dampness for first run, etc.

Will post more news when she's running. :ok:

[Gnat-trap]

I heard that De Havillands (your engineers) has just been bought out by a local consortium. :eek:
How will this affect the Gnat project? :uhoh:

[Julian Jones]

Well must admit, we liked "De Havilland Aviation" so much we decided to buy it!

So there we go, a secure operating base for XR-537 next year and we seem to have inhereited a Sea Vixen along with the goods and chattels, plus several hundred tonnes of spares and a few crates of Red Bull in the cupboard!

As for XR-537, we are still waiting for new cartridges for the seats should be due in a week or so, but otherwise its looking good for runway tests before Xmas, but more likely in the New Year now.

Will keep you all posted.

[fradu]

The best of luck with the final stages of the restoration!
I hope to strike it lucky and see one of its early flights next year!

Mark

[XR537]

It's looking good for 2006, with the seat cartridges sorted and ready for fitting within the next few weeks. The executive pilot team are keen and eager to get going and once Gnaty's passed her permit, we'll be announcing the launch and flight schedules.

The whole project team have been saddened immensely by the recent news about Ray Hanna's passing, as he had been invited to the re-launch day. Sadly, that won't happen, but we hope that Ray will be looking down that day and give her his blessing.

The first flight will be dedicated to this outstanding pilot and, more importantly, outstanding man who was laid to rest today.

Without Ray's record-breaking tenure as 'Boss' during which time he moulded them into the best in the World, there would be no Red Arrows today. Of that, there is absolutely no doubt.

Just to really hit home how much Ray meant to the aviation community and the Reds, the Enid section of the team flew overhead his funeral today which is, unless I'm very much mistaken, the first time that they have honoured a (now) civilian aviator (albeit former Reds leader) ... ever.

That says it all.

RIP Ray

[XR537]

XR537 (G-NATY) flaming up for her latest engine test. A whiteout snowstorm ensued, but at least the session gave some good feedback for tweaking.
http://www.redarrows.com/images/XR537-28b.gif

[XR537]

Runway tests, and brake-chute test went fine yesterday :ok:
Have also received official authorisation from the RAF to keep her in her original Reds livery.., so thanks to all at SC who kindly agreed to this.
Brian seemed very pleased after the test with a "she went flippin' fast!" response to the BBC reporter.:D
http://www.redarrows.com/images/xr537-20060407b.JPG
And here's BG bringing her back to the hangar following a good day out.
http://www.redarrows.com/images/xr537-20060407.jpg

[Tiger_mate]

IMHO it appears too light on the main gear oleos. I am sure that the photos I have of red arrow gnats at the Blackpool airshow many years ago have the fuselage a lot closer to the ground than this.

[ZH875]

Thats only because the Sparrers Pilots had just had lunch.

The Gnat is still a much nicer looking aircraft than the Hawk, and noisier.

At displays, please remember to take your towing/steering arm with you, I still have memories of a burned backside and hot hands from sitting on the tail of a just landed Gnat, and having to hang on and lean backwards to lift the nosewheel off the ground.

[BEagle]

'537 does look a little light in the loafers compared with other Gnats:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/gnat.jpg

But what a fabulous little aeroplane! Great to fly at low level back in the late '70s....

[XR537]

No... not quite a case of too little lunch ;)
We are just getting the rest of the weight and balance sorted. She is one seat short at the moment (not fitted until rest of runway tests are completed) and all the old heavy Mil. avionics have been stripped out and replaced by the usual 21st Century four-ounce all-singing everything comms. gear.

When we've finished the rest of the tests, she'll have the rest of her weight added - be it lead or old newspapers! ;) (slippers are also due to be fitted in the next two weeks) - and she should start looking like a normal arse-dragging Gnat. :cool:

[Krystal n chips]

Thats only because the Sparrers Pilots had just had lunch.

The Gnat is still a much nicer looking aircraft than the Hawk, and noisier.

At displays, please remember to take your towing/steering arm with you, I still have memories of a burned backside and hot hands from sitting on the tail of a just landed Gnat, and having to hang on and lean backwards to lift the nosewheel off the ground.

Seves you right for doing it the hard way ! :D --simply cradle the nose near to the pitot connection, then either swivel--or--bounce the beast a few times--get mate on wingtip to push at the same time--et voila !.

[Krystal n chips]

Krystal n chips
I'm suprised those mods we did to the fuel tanks compartments at the aft fuselage have lasted this long! Oooow my knees :uhoh:
PW

Yep, they were a "fun" excercise weren't they ;) --along with changing the pulley box assy. in the rear cockpit of course. You would have been a perfect fit though ??----:D :E .

PS Sorry about the thread drift here. Just a bit of nostalgia I'm afraid--but certainly looking forward to seeing the beast flying again--hope it finds it's way "Up North" at some point--please.

[XR537]

Slipper tanks are going on next week, which should extend her range somewhat :)
We'll be making her available to the airshow circuit, so you can but hope that one of the organisers in the North will book her.
I'm sure that a couple of nostalgic trips back to her former bases might also be on the cards, if the RAF would like to see her visiting. We are very keen to ensure that the historic side of her is promoted, as Gnats were one of the last fully-British designed jets, and her famous association with RAFAT.
Booking requests can be mailed to XR537 at redarrows.com

[jimgriff]

What was the score with the seats? Were the cartridges and packs and straps easy to find? Did you have to have them certified?

Can I get some pics for my website ? (of the seats )

[XR537]

I didn't personally get involved in the seats part of the project myself... that was up to the engineers. Their joke: "If it's difficult, we do it...if it's the easy bits - like flying - we leave that to the pilots!" :p
As far as I know, they were crated off to a specialist organisation that does this sort of thing day in, day out and came back all shiny new, with new cartridges, 'chutes, etc. Being Folland seats, and not MBs, this was obviously a bit more pricey than usual (and took longer), but it was worth getting them done properly and tooled-up ready for her test-runs.
As to pictures of the seats? - am I presuming that you have a website dedicated to aircraft seats? :confused: or is it aircraft in general? I'm happy to get some shots for you - please send an email to XR537 (at) redarrows.com.

[Gnat-trap]

I was on one of the lucky spectators last week seeing this gorgeous beasty hurtle up and down 26. What a sight! :D The whole airport stood still watching her go.
Made one proud to be British and you chaps should be bluddy proud of getting her back together again. It was quite an emotional day.
Can't wait until Big Brian finally pulls the stick back.
Keep up the good work and let's hope she can do something with the Sparrers in August.
ps - nice write-up in tonight's Echo.

[Gnat-trap]

The press article last week on her latest test runs indicated that XR537 would be flying a few weeks time? Was that journalistic licence, or are those timescales now achievable? Also, how much truth is there in the rumour that she'll be at Biggin Hill? :confused:
Any answers please from the official line would be appreciated. Thx. :ok: