Eurofighter Typhoon DA4 moving to Newark Air Museum

[NAM Updater]

I am honoured to post the following news release on behalf of NAM

Eurofighter Typhoon DA4 to be transferred to Newark Air Museum

The trustees of the Newark Air Museum (NAM) are delighted to announce that they have entered into an agreement with the Imperial War Museums (IWM) to accept the most generous transfer of Eurofighter Typhoon DA4 (ZH590) to the museum. Preparations are now underway to move DA4 to NAM’s Gateway Aviation Site in north eastern Nottinghamshire, close to the Lincolnshire county border.

The process to transfer this significant airframe started during the summer, when IWM announced its availability for disposal as part of a review of its extensive aviation collection. This review has identified objects that do not fully fit with its remit to tell the stories of the causes, course and consequence of war from the First World War to the present day in Britain and the former Empire.

In the documents notifying interested parties of the proposed disposal the IWM’s Disposals Manager made the following comments about the DA4 airframe.

“As a prototype, this airframe is an experimental model and is not representative of a production or operational aircraft. DA4 was one of the seven original industry development aircraft before becoming a RAF ground instructional airframe.”

Following a visit to IWM’s Duxford site by Dave Hibbert, Museum Trustee & Acquisitions Officer, NAM was able to confirm to the IWM Disposals Manager that the DA4 airframe fulfilled several criteria in the museum’s stated Collecting Policies, including:

“Aircraft used in a Training role, this because of our local connections with Flying Training.

Aircraft which show the development of the Jet Fighter / Bomber from the Post War period.”

Another important factor for NAM trying to secure DA4 was that it had been based at nearby RAF Coningsby, Lincs, where the airframe had been used for training ground crew specialists for the Royal Air Force. As such displaying DA4 at Newark would allow them to provide good public domain access to the aircraft for the local RAF and aviation community.

An initial letter of intent to proceed with the transfer was received by NAM in late July 2019. Since that time liaison-work has been ongoing between the two museums to confirm a suitable date for the move to be completed. Following more recent contacts with IWM Duxford, the move has been scheduled to take place in early 2020.

“We are honoured, excited and extremely proud to have secured such a fantastic airframe for the collection,” commented Dave Hibbert. He continued, “We are especially grateful for the assistance provided by the IWM staff in helping us to start the process of undertaking this landmark transfer.”

He concluded, “We are now looking forward to working with the IWM team at Duxford during the coming months to complete this move in an efficient and professional manner.”


Ends 451 words

08 November 2019

Footnotes:

Eurofighter Typhoon DA4 (ZH590) was used as twin-seat avionics development aircraft by BAE Systems at their Warton Factory. In March 1997 the DA4 took its first flight from BAE SYSTEMS, Warton site. The DA4 was second two seater aircraft produced.

The Eurofighter prototype led to the Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft.

On 13 December 2006 the DA4 was decommissioned. It was afterwards used for training ground crew specialists for Royal Air Force finally being based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

[MiG_Eater]

Great news for Newark - and well done (!) - but a great shame to lose yet another interesting aircraft from Duxford which is much more local to me.

[NAM Updater]

Thanks for the feedback, we're rather excited - we've even corrected the serial number!

[MiG_Eater]

Any idea where you'll put it? Last time I visited Newark it was rather well populated!

[NAM Updater]

Various options under active consideration, a number of which can now be actively pursued now that the acquisition is in the public domain - some background work has been underway for several weeks now, but theses efforts can now be ramped up!

[Mike]

A really nice addition for Newark, but another bizarre decision by the IWM hierarchy. Presumably they'll also be getting shot of the pre-production Jaguar, the Saudi Strikemaster, the TSR2, and many others now?

Out of curiosity, is Newark chasing a Tucano and Hawk for the collection?

It must be time to start shaking the buckets for another hangar at Newark!

[NAM Updater]

Thanks for the feedback.

No other active targets at present although both trainers would fit in nicely; lots of development plans now being evaluated & hopefully pursued. #NAMwatchThisSpace

[boff180]

The process to transfer this significant airframe started during the summer, when IWM announced its availability for disposal as part of a review of its extensive aviation collection. This review has identified objects that do not fully fit with its remit to tell the stories of the causes, course and consequence of war from the First World War to the present day in Britain and the former Empire.

In the documents notifying interested parties of the proposed disposal the IWM’s Disposals Manager made the following comments about the DA4 airframe.

“As a prototype, this airframe is an experimental model and is not representative of a production or operational aircraft. DA4 was one of the seven original industry development aircraft before becoming a RAF ground instructional airframe.”

Great news for Newark but this does leave me concerned about the future of many much-loved items at Duxford such as the TSR.2.

NAM, one of the things that has always vexed me a little about the display of DA4 is that the engine bays have been left empty, is there any opportunity to ask RR or the RAF (as a donation ) to let you have a pair of withdrawn from use EJ200 reheat nozzles to at least make the aircraft look complete?

[NAM Updater]

Thanks for the feedback, we'll add the engine question to the already long list of items related to this acquisition; that said we always like a fresh challenge!!

[Jimbo27]

Makes me feel old! I remember when we moved it from Coningsby!

[NAM Updater]

Sorry if we're ageing you, but we might need some advice on the move!!

[GertrudetheMerciless]

Thanks for the feedback.

No other active targets at present although both trainers would fit in nicely; lots of development plans now being evaluated & hopefully pursued. #NAMwatchThisSpace

I guess easier to come by than a Typhoon?!

[JJC]

Great news for NAM!

Absolutely bizarre decision from Duxford and the IWM. Getting rid of your only example of the RAF’s premier frontline fast-jet? And a development aircraft at that. Baffling really.

Unless they’re getting another example more representative of the type as currently in service? I can’t imagine they’re particularly easy to acquire.

[Mike]

I don't think the IWM have much interest in acquiring anything these days, in fact, quite the opposite. I believe the museumspeak term is 'reducing the conservation footprint'. Expect more mass disposals in the not-too-distant future.

[GertrudetheMerciless]

Great news for NAM!

Absolutely bizarre decision from Duxford and the IWM. Getting rid of your only example of the RAF’s premier frontline fast-jet? And a development aircraft at that. Baffling really.

Unless they’re getting another example more representative of the type as currently in service? I can’t imagine they’re particularly easy to acquire.

To be fair, it can’t be too long before a veteran Typhoon with combat history becomes available. They’ve been dropping bombs for almost a decade now.

[Mike]

I doubt that any will be available for many years yet. Any withdrawn from service will go straight to RTP, like the early T2s did.

[NAM Updater]

As anticipated there have been some interesting comments around this great opportunity for NAM and here are a few personal observations on some of the points.

Potential Tornado GR.4 acquisitions - as I've posted before my understanding is that any disposals are unlikely due to ITAR regulations and this was clearly stated by an official speaker at a meeting in autumn 2018.

Potential Tucano acquisitions - from the valuations that I have seen these are likely to be out of reach of most UK based volunteer collections.

Potential Hawk acquisitions - they're quite a rare commodity as I understand they're being used as parts sources for the remaining airframes.

Museum collection rationalisations - this year RAFM, IWMs and Science Museum have all offered a range of aviation items to the wider museums sector. In a small way I have helped NAM secure items from the first two national collections. I have enjoyed working with the individuals at both organisations to do so and I have valued their generous support and assistance.

Again, as has already been indicated earlier in this thread, I personally feel that this is something that people should get used to and like NAM, and other collections in the UK have done, people should embrace the situation.

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Engine_Arrivals

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Eurofighter_DA4

[maltwoser]

is there any opportunity to ask RR or the RAF (as a donation ) to let you have a pair of withdrawn from use EJ200 reheat nozzles to at least make the aircraft look complete?

Andy, there's no way of attaching the variable exhaust nozzle to the aircraft, so you'd need a front jet pipe which has the rear mounts attached, an intermediate casing which has the front mounts, and a bypass duct to join them both together.

[NAM Updater]

That's some interesting information that might come in useful in the future.

[maltwoser]

There's a few Tornados in museums with similarly built RB199s. No compressors, turbines, gearboxes, pumps, wiring harnesses etc. Just enough modules to hang an exhaust system on.

[GertrudetheMerciless]

Interesting info on Hawk/Tucano. Former makes sense, the latter I assume due to the US market for them?

[NAM Updater]

Thanks for the further feedback and PMs.

Here's an example of what's driving Tucano prices:
https://www.controller.com/listings/air ... tucano-mk1

[DOUGHNUT]

If only the RAF got those prices for them when they were sold !!!

[HeyfordDave111]

Hasn't Linton still got one as a 'gateguard'?

not sure how old the image is but it's there on google earth, and might be an easy way to get one?

[NAM Updater]

NAM keeps a watching brief on many potential acquisitions, but has to work within its own charitable budget and the current MoD disposal process. As previously stated Tucano prices are driven by spares costs for potential flyers etc. - never say never, but currently the feeling is that costs are still too high.

The wider acquisition process can be quite a challenge e.g. earlier this year thanks to a financial legacy the museum was able to submit its highest ever bid for an exhibit. Sadly this still wasn't sufficient to secure the helicopter, which ended up going for 'accommodation' / glamping!