Gnat sighted at Bournemouth
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Engine tests this week
If you go down to the woods today...
Checking the fuel-up and pressure testing, and we hope to have her fired up today
She'll be runway testing for the next week or so.
Checking the fuel-up and pressure testing, and we hope to have her fired up today
She'll be runway testing for the next week or so.
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
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
High Flying Bird
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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!
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!
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?
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?
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Seats, cartridges, and things
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...
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...
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Fan turned over
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.
Full wet flame test this week, depending on runway dampness for first run, etc.
Will post more news when she's running.
Full wet flame test this week, depending on runway dampness for first run, etc.
Will post more news when she's running.
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What's the score with De Havillands
I heard that De Havillands (your engineers) has just been bought out by a local consortium. 
How will this affect the Gnat project?
How will this affect the Gnat project?
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XR-537 De Havilland
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.
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.
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Looking good for 2006
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
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
Last edited by XR537; 16th Dec 2005 at 07:51.
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G-NATY hurtles down two-six @ EGHH
Runway tests, and brake-chute test went fine yesterday
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.
And here's BG bringing her back to the hangar following a good day out.
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.
And here's BG bringing her back to the hangar following a good day out.
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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.
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.
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.
'537 does look a little light in the loafers compared with other Gnats:
But what a fabulous little aeroplane! Great to fly at low level back in the late '70s....
But what a fabulous little aeroplane! Great to fly at low level back in the late '70s....
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Dieting too much
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. 
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.
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.
--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 !.
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Originally Posted by bral
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
PW
I'm suprised those mods we did to the fuel tanks compartments at the aft fuselage have lasted this long! Oooow my knees
PW
--along with changing the pulley box assy. in the rear cockpit of course. You would have been a perfect fit though ??---- 
. 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.
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Book her, Danno
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
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