Scene around the UK

31 March 2007 - Stansted

Hot on the heels of Qantas's retro-Boeing 707 last December, John Travolta's similarly-coloured N707JT flew in on 28th for a brief stay as he film star made a number of guest appearances, including 'Friday night with Jonathan Ross'. Picture courtesy Martin Patch

27 March 2007 - Mildenhall

A rare visitor to the UK is the RC-12K 'Guardrail Common Sensor (System 4)' or more commonly known 'Huron' - it is similar to the RC-12H, with a more powerful 1,100 shp PT6A-67 turboprop engine. The US Army ordered nine in October 1985, of which eight replaced RC-12Ds in the 1st MI Battalion in May 1991.

The 1st Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation), based at Wiesbaden in Germany, conducts aerial signals intelligence operations in support of the 205th MI Brigade and V Corps, and rapidly deploys tailored intelligence packages to support stability and conventional operations. Picture courtesy Andy Court

27 March 2007 - Waddington

Currently undergoing service trials is the first Sentinel R1 to wear 5(AC) Squadron colours, ZJ690. A second Sentinel is due to arrive at Waddington in the next couple of weeks with deliveries continuing through the year. Picture courtesy Jason Pountney

26 March 2007 - East Midlands Airport

Overflying East Midlands Airport at 11:20 was Airbus A380 008/F-WWDD, the first time that the giant has appeared north of Heathrow. Picture courtesy Howard Heeley/Down to Earth Promotions

22 March 2007 - Yeovilton

Seen at Yeovilton's Air Day press preview was Sea Vixen D3 G-CVIX, which has now been repainted in its original 899 NAS markings as XP924/E-134, following the withdrawal of sponsorship by 'Red Bull'. Pictures courtesy Roger Cook/Pynelea Photo Bureau

21 March 2007 - Leeming

First seen last week, 100 Squadron's 90th anniversary Hawk was out on the flightline at Leeming giving a chance to get a close-up of the markings on the fuselage. Hopefully it should be a regular sight over the coming airshow season, although the RAF has just confirmed 100 Squadron will not be providing a solo Hawk display this year. Picture courtesy Mick Britton

16 March 2007 - Boscombe Down

One of the Nimrod MRA4 development aircraft (ZJ516/16 PA-1) was operating out of Boscombe Down - it took off in the morning, assumed to use the RADEX, performed a couple of flypasts and then departed back to Warton. Picture courtesy Duncan Chase

16 March 2007 - Mildenhall

The FAA flew in with CL600 N86 - the FAA uses it for airport ILS calibration, and it had been in the Fairford circuit earlier in the day. Picture courtesy Gary Stedman

10 March 2007 - Mildenhall

Hot on the heels of OC-135B 61-2672 on 5th was sister-ship 61-2670, showing modifications since its last visit in June 2005. Picture courtesy Chris Churchard

8 March 2007 - Yeovilton

Fresh out of the paint shop is Hunter F58 ZZ191, contracted to FRA from Hawker Hunter Aviation for military duties. The aircraft will be flight tested over the next week or so prior to commencement of the contract. Picture courtesy Mark Russell

8 March 2007 - Marham

The 25th anniversary Tornado was officially unveiled to the press by the OC IX(B) Sqn, Wing Commander David Waddington, who was shot down and captured during Operation Granby, being held as a Prisoner of War for over six weeks. The scheme includes the squadron badges of all previous RAF Tornado units, including the TTTE. Pictures courtesy Bob Franklin

5 March 2007 - Mildenhall

Return of the Open Skies - OC-135B 61-2672 from the 45th RS seen climbing away from Mildenhall. Contrast the fuselage with that of 61-2670 seen on 11 June 2005. As these are the only two operational OC-135 aircraft, a rare catch indeed! Picture courtesy Andy Court

2 March 2007 - Newark

Gnat progress at Newark Air Museum

During the last week further significant progress has been made in the reassembly of Folland Gnat T1 XR534 (8578M) at Newark Air Museum. Most recently the tail fin has been re-fitted to the fuselage and this work has been complimented by the location and fitting in of around forty access plates and panels.

The aircraft, which is listed in the ‘Significant’ category of the National Aviation Heritage Register, arrived at the museum in December 2000. The purchase of the Gnat was made possible thanks to fifty percent grant from the PRISM Fund and a series of donations from museum members and the general public. The PRISM Grant Fund is now administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

When retired from service in December 1977 this particular Gnat airframe was allocated as a gate guardian to RAF Valley on Anglesey. In recent months much of the in-depth restoration work undertaken by the museum volunteers has centred on the removal and replacement of heavily corroded structures deep within the airframe. It is believed that much of this corrosion was caused by the harsh sea air at RAF Valley, a fact highlighted by the removal of sand from some internal sections of the fuselage.

The Gnat is another niche airframe in Newark Air Museum’s diverse collection of Royal Air Force training aircraft. Courtesy Howard Heeley/Down to Earth Promotions