Newark Air Museum Chinook Restoration Update

PRESS RELEASE

Following the arrival of Boeing Chinook HC.1 ZA717 from RAF Cranwell back in February 2018 Newark Air Museum (NAM) became the first Accredited Independent museum in the UK to acquire and display a Royal Air Force (RAF) registered Chinook helicopter.

Since its arrival NAM staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to acquire missing airframe panels and structures from many normal disposal sources, including the original manufacturer. Sadly these efforts have been to no avail, so the museum’s resourceful volunteers have now started to fabricate missing and damaged items for the nose section and side sponsons on this unique Chinook rebuild project.

The majority of the damage that is being repaired was caused during a non-fatal flying incident on July 25th, 1989 that saw ZA717 ‘written off’ at RAF Mount Pleasant, in the Falkland Islands. Having been transported back to the UK, ZA717 was later used at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to train Aircrew Loadmasters in slinging techniques and load securing methods.

These ongoing repair and restoration works will soon be more visible as the NAM is planning to reposition the Chinook and nearby Westland Puma HC.1 XW208 helicopter, to make them both more accessible. This move will also benefit the museum’s long-term plan to use ZA717 as an interactive education space and resource for visiting groups of school children, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, and Air Training Corps cadets.

If you have or know of any parts which can be used to aid in the restoration of Chinook ZA717 please contact the NAM via their website.

Zac Yates

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Zac, born and raised in New Zealand, grew up immersed in aviation, with his father working as a helicopter crewman and living at Wanganui Airport. His passion for aviation started in childhood, building scale model kits and following the global warbird scene. He later trained as a journalist but found mainstream media unfulfilling, leading him to pursue a career as an aircraft maintenance engineer.

Now residing in Blenheim, near the historic Omaka Aerodrome, Zac studies at RNZAF Base Woodbourne and aspires to become a private and warbird pilot. Known as "Handbag" in aviation circles, he shares his love for aviation through photography and writing, connecting with enthusiasts worldwide.

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