Pre-Christmas News For Newark Air Museum

An agreement has been reached between Newark Air Museum (NAM) and the Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association (LLA), that has resulted in the ownership of the Avro Shackleton, WR977 and the Avro Vulcan, XM594 being immediately transferred to NAM.

Both aircraft have been on long-term loan at the NAM site in eastern Nottinghamshire since they were first acquired; back in 1977 for the Shackleton and 1983 for the Vulcan. In recent years the LLA has been the owner of both aircraft and they have provided financial support for recent restoration and repainting work on both aircraft.

The legal papers pertaining to these transfers were signed on December 15th, 2021, thereby helping to secure the long-term future of these two hugely popular exhibits at NAM. An official handover ceremony will be hosted at the museum in early 2022. Conservation surveys have been carried out on both aircraft and the museum volunteers will be undertaking major restoration work on both of their ‘new exhibits’ in the coming months.

Speaking on behalf of NAM, museum trustee, Howard Heeley commented, “Everyone at the museum is extremely grateful to the Chairman and the Committee of the Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association, who have generously agreed to the legal ownership of these aircraft being transferred to us.”

“The Shackleton and Vulcan are both special aircraft, which museum members helped to save back in 1977 and 1983 respectively. We are really honoured to now have sole responsibility for their future care.”

He concluded, “Whilst we have some significant challenges ahead with regards to safeguarding these aircraft, we are sure that both the museum members and the general public will help us look after these aircraft for the benefit of future generations.”

Ray Bainborough, Chairman of the Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association, said, “I am delighted that the Newark Air Museum is taking over the ownership of these two historic aircraft.  It has been a privilege for the LLA to have been their owners over the past years, but the time has come for the museum to be both the location for the Shackleton and the Vulcan, and also the legal owner of the two aircraft. This makes sense from a practical point of view and will better ensure the two aircraft continue to be preserved in the years ahead.”

Although there is a change of ownership of the Shackleton and Vulcan, from the LLA to the NAM, visitors to the museum will not notice any changes as the two aircraft will remain at their current location.     

15th December 2021

Photo credits: David Kavanagh, the Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association

(Alternative photos available on request)

Notes to Editors

Shackleton WR977

This aircraft was saved from being scrapped at RAF Finningley in the spring of 1977, having been purchased by Stuart Stephenson, MBE, former chairman of the Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association.  Thanks to a frantic six-week effort by museum volunteers, to dismantle the aircraft and move it by road to Newark. This remains the largest ever dismantling and move project ever undertaken by the museum in more than fifty years.

Vulcan XM594

Vulcan XM594 was purchased by Stuart Stephenson, MBE, former chairman of the Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association, when it was retired from RAF service in early 1983.

When the Royal Air Force disposed of most of their Vulcan aircraft in 1982/3, XM594 was the only airframe to be flown into a non-licensed airfield. When XM594 touched down at 1315 hours, on Monday 7th February 1983, it became the largest aircraft ever to land on the concrete runways at ex RAF Winthorpe.

Newark Air Museum, Drove Lane, Winthorpe, Newark, Notts, NG24 2NY

Email: admin@newarkairmuseum.org

Website: www.newarkairmuseum.org

Telephone: 01636 707170

Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association, Unit 4, Witham Point Business Park, Wavell Drive, Lincoln, LN3 4PL

Email: chairman@lancasterassociation.co.uk   

Website: www.lancasterassociation.co.uk

Telephone: 01526 321180