Page 21 - Aviation News (February 2020)

Return of the ATR Becomes Escape Room

Silver Spitfire

‘Silver Spitfire’ G-IRTY/MJ271 returned
to Goodwood Aerodrome, Sussex on
December 5, having completed a round-
the-world flight that began there exactly
four months previously. In that time,
the Spitfire flew 74 sectors, visiting 24
countries en route. Matt Jones flew the
final leg from Amsterdam and was joined
by two Red Arrows Hawks for the arrival at
the Sussex airfield. During the 27,000-mile
(43,452km) adventure, Jones shared flying A former Blue Islands ATR 42-300, G-ISLG, has found a new use on the Greenwich Peninsula,
duties with Steve Brooks. The two men set London as the ‘Flight 338’ escape room. The ATR at The Riddle Within, which opened in
up the Boultbee Flight Academy in 2011. November, plays the part of a Con Air-style prison transport aircraft. Phil Whalley

Kestrel to Return to Dunsfold

The Wings Museum, currently located at Balcombe, West Sussex taking place in stages. An early Pegasus engine has been
has rescued Hawker Siddeley Kestrel XS694 for display at its acquired and will be installed in due course.
birthplace at Dunsfold. The attraction acquired the jet from a The aircraft’s eventual return to Dunsfold is apt, as it made its
private collector in Florida in July 2018 – the news was kept first flight from the Surrey airfield on December 10, 1964. It was
‘under wraps’ while Wings applied for planning permission for shipped to the US on January 11, 1966 as 64-18268 and assigned
a new building at the Surrey airfield. While this was originally to Eglin AFB in Florida. In July of that year it was delivered to
refused Wings recently won a planning appeal against objectors NASA’s research centre at Langley Field, Virginia, and remained in
to its new museum and is now pleased to confirm that XS694 will use until its accident. It was eventually retrieved from a paintball
be returning ‘home’ in the near future. field, where its condition had worsened considerably.
The development aircraft, a predecessor of the Harrier, “I am very excited to finally be making a positive start on this
suffered a crash landing in 1967 while being operated by NASA. unique airframe,” said project leader Aaron Simmons. “Knowing it
Due to extensive damage it was decided to ground the machine will eventually be on display at Dunsfold makes the project all the
and use it as a source of spares. The Wings team is aiming to more satisfying.”
return the jet to static display condition, with refurbishment www.facebook.com/wingskestrel

Unexpected Guest at Reagan Library

The F-117A being installed at the Reagan Library
on 18 November. Lockheed Martin/Kyra Betteridge
service in 1983 and being publically revealed
in 1988 (though approval for production was
granted during the Carter administration).
First flying in May 1984, Nighthawk ‘803’
completed 78 combat sorties, more than
any other example of the type.
Speaking at the dedication, Gen David
L Goldfein, USAF Chief of Staff and the
last pilot trained on the F-117, said: “It’s an
honour to be here with you to share this
moment as we establish this remarkable
aircraft, the first operational stealth fighter, in
The second Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk Guest joins Grumman F-14A Tomcat, its rightful place in history here at President
to go on permanent public display was 162592, and VC-137C, 72-7000, on display Reagan’s library... What a fitting tribute to
unveiled at the Ronald Reagan Presidential at the facility. On loan from the National audacity, pure guts, and vision that should
Library in Simi Valley, California, on Museum of the USAF, the ‘stealth fighter’ inspire everyone who sees this display for
December 7. F-117A, 82-0803, Unexpected was symbolic of the Reagan era, entering years to come.” www.reaganfoundation.org
Swedish Lake Reveals Ju 86 Wreck

A Swedish Air Force Junkers Ju 86K-4 has recently been located Initially operating in the heavy bomber role, surviving B 3s eventually
in a lake in northern Sweden some 9 miles (15km) from the border served as transports until 1958. The sole surviving complete Ju 86K
with Finland. The aircraft crashed in poor weather on February 3, is on display at the Flygvapenmuseum at Malmslätt.
1943 – all six of the crew were killed. The newly discovered example (0860363) was taken on charge
A total of 40 German-built Ju 86Ks were delivered to the by the Flygvapnet on March 17, 1938 as ‘144’, and flew with Wing F
Swedish Flygvapnet (air force) with which the type was designated 1 from Västerås-Hässlö. It’s hoped the wreck will be recovered for
the B 3. An additional 16 were manufactured in Sweden by SAAB. display at an aviation museum in Sweden. Jan Forsgren

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