Gannet XL500s progress report.
 

Gents

For those of you who don't know the Gannet XL500s return to airworthy condition is progressing at a steady pace at Exeter airport. The project has had its ups and downs, but the team can now start to see their hard work is starting to pay dividends.
The aircraft was inspected soon after it arrived at Exeter and the airframe had a number of areas which had been effected by corrosion, both inside and out. This was due to the fact the aircraft had been on displayed for a number of years at RNAS Culdrose and Chatham. These areas have now been treated and where the area was beyond restoring, a new section was manufactured and fitted. This was the case when it came to the rear crew area. The floor section was badly corroded and it has been completely replaced. It now looks as good as new.
The next area to receive our attention was the centre wing sections. The two sections were inspected and found to be in good condition. Some work was required before they could be fitted to the inboard sections, but this has been completed and the starboard centre section has now been attached and the rams have been tested and they worked as we had hoped. The port centre section will be next and then the two outer sections of the wing should foolow soon after. The tail section is almost complete and the aircraft is now starting to take shape.
Its planned to repaint the aircraft in B Flt 849 NAS markings, which should look stunning.
The only problem we are having is locating the tool to remove the engine. We have contacted a number of people and companies in the hope of obtaining the tools we need, but without any success. This could prevent the projects goal of having the aircraft up and running in 2012.
If there's anyone out there who might be able to help, then would they please contact me and I will pass on the information.

This report has been posted at the request of the aircraft's owner.

Hunty :rolleyes:

Have you tried the FAA museum in NOwra, NSW Australia?
I know they have Gannet, and a lot off old guys:E who used to fix them perhaps in the historic flight.

You could also try the German Navy. They also operated the Gannet before getting Atlantics.

MB

hunty

Fantastic news. Can't help with the tool I'm afraid but I will look forward to seeing and hearing XL500 back in her element. :ok:

In 1984, there was a flying Gannet at Carlisle complete with podded Houchin. Perhaps there are bits left lying around the hangar?

There is a Gannet at Woodley, nr Reading in the little air museum. I believe they flew this across the pond from the US some years back. Link as follows:

Home - Museum of Berkshire Aviation

Good luck.

Max

I remember a similar "problem". We had to keep a sharp eye on the curator of the FAA museum in Yeovilton every time we taxied our Shackleton past during a detachment in 1980. He wanted to liberate parts of our mission system so that he could update his Gannet.

The one that was based at Carlisle flew out to somewhere near Newark and with it went a load of tools and spares. The previous owner was A BA 777 captain, nice chap, used to do a bit of gliding. I'm sure he would help track the tool down
bb

Some nice images (including XL500) here: Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association, FAAOA

Good luck with the restoration - maybe you could sort out the Gannet at White Waltham next....;)

The History Channel is showing Monster Moves tonight with a section about moving the Gannet out of Goose Bay by Antonov.

XL500 off Ark's bow cat:

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/1...+Ark+Royal.jpg

I was lucky enough to have a trip one night in XL500 off Ark, an interesting experience :cool: More Gannet photos from Ark and Eagle here :ok:

Hunty,

I carried out an intial survey on this aircraft when it was first brought back to Culdrose, quite apart from anything else, I remember the bats down in the tail fuselage!!

We would have loved to restore the plane back then, but it was quickly apparent some spare time in the evenings and a bit of goodwill was never going to achieve the task. Best of luck with the project, and please keep us informed through these hallowed halls, I look forward to reading of more success!

Great pics Beags, didn't think you were that old!! :p

FT :D

The ex RN Gannet that was in the USA got as far as Goose Bay, and went u/s with an engine problem. I believe it has now been airfreighted back to the USA in a An-124 fairly recently.

The ex Carlisle Museum airframe (XL502) went to Intrepid aviation at Sandtoft initially, but has since gone to the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington IIRC

V1

There is a Gannet at Dumfries open air museum ! Not very big but some nice and unusual aircraft there. (even has a F111 escape capsule !!)The last time I was there (few years now)
Might be able help ?
http://www.dumfriesaviationmuseum.com/collection21.htm


It's a AEW.3 XL497

Valiantone:
The ex RN Gannet that was in the USA got as far as Goose Bay, and went u/s with an engine problem. I believe it has now been airfreighted back to the USA in a An-124 fairly recently.

This is the move shown on the telly tonight

Oi, fly3test, less of the 'old'!

I do remember the odd Gannet growling about down Zumzett way when oi werr a lad living next to RAF Merryfield back in the late '50s / early '60s...:8

And the Vampires, Meteors, Canberras, Sabres and Wyverns of the early '50s!

Can't wait to see this one up and about on the show circuit.

Thank you for being brave and restoring something to the skies other than a Spitfire. Not that there is owt wrong with Spit's.

how would she compare to a modern AEW platform today?

i recall a study regarding possible return to service during the falklands conflict, was this a serious study or just wishful thinking?


i ask as i recall reading recently about long mothballed GRUMMAN TRACKER, TRACERS being returned to service for the brazilian (i think) navy!!

Thanks for those photos, John Eacott.

HMS Eagle, Phantoms, Buccs and Gannets - will anything ever beat that?

I noticed on the Gannet catapult shot that it had a lot of flap angle, seemingly almost at same angle as the flap angle used on approach. Was it just a trick of the camera in this phoro, or was so much flap standard for a cat launch?

The chap from Carlisle who used to own the one at the Yorkshire museum was Niel Moffat. I have lost his email address but I'm sure someone on glider pilot. net would know him, he was a bit of a demon on those ridges in the lake district. As I say a nice bloke and I feel sure he would be able to locate said tool.

I must confess to not actually liking aeroplanes but this one raises even my curiosity, would love a ride in one.

bb