Hunter and Harvard Restoration Progress at Newark Air Museum

By Zac Yates

Two trainer projects are progressing well at the Newark Air Museum (NAM) in Nottinghamshire: the repainting of a former RAF aerobatic team Hawker Hunter and the restoration of a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) veteran Harvard.

As reported by Vintage Aviation News in March, Hunter XL605 has had its previous RAF grey-green camouflage scheme (and inaccurate serial number) replaced by the one it wore when part of 92 Squadron’s Blue Diamonds aerobatic team. After these photos were taken the Hunter’s underwing fuel tanks were reinstalled and final touches made to the markings.

Elsewhere on the museum site, the decision has been made to finish the NAM’s Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIB in its original RCAF service color scheme. As we reported in January 2024, this aircraft arrived at the museum nearly 14 years ago and has required a lot of manpower to get to its current state. Much work was needed around replacing or fabricating part missing from the firewall-forward area.

There had been some discussion as to whether the aircraft should be painted in a scheme accurate to the airframe’s history or a representative RAF scheme. It turns out the former met both requirements, as museum trustee Howard Heeley told us: “The colour scheme is what FE930 operated in at Medicine Hat (in Alberta), but at the time of its service there the RCAF and RAF markings were no different — the maple leaf going into the roundel was after its service there finished!”

To learn more about these and other projects at the Newark Air Museum visit their website HERE.

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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