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On The Radar

Aircraft of the Week

27 February 2026

Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1 XX634 NAHR – Significant

Bulldog XX634 arrived at the museum in 2006. The aircraft was purchased with the aid of a 50% grant from the PRISM Fund (Preservation of Industrial and Scientific Material), which at the time was administered by the Science Museum. Additional funds for the purchase came from museum member donations made under the Gift Aid scheme. This aircraft is now part of the museum’s open cockpit offer and sometimes is available for viewing, where volunteers show visitors inside the aircraft and explain its training role. By Jan McGeachie

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20 February 2026

Hunting Jet Provost T.3 (cockpit) XN573 NAHR – Significant

The Hunting Jet Provost T.3 cockpit, XN573, of which some 201 were built for the RAF between 1958 and 1962 was obtained in 1989 from Blackpool Airport (Squires Gate). At that location it had been with 177 Squadron Air Training Corps, and prior to that at RAF Kemble with 5 MU. This cockpit is part of the museum’s open cockpit offer and sometimes is available for viewing, where volunteers show visitors inside the aircraft and explain its training role. By Jan McGeachie

06 February 2026

SAAB Viggen AJSH 37 37918 NAHR – Significant

The final sections of Saab AJSH 37 Viggen 373 918 were transported by road to the museum on 25th June 2006. On loan from the RSAF (Royal Swedish Air Force) having been flown to RAF Cranwell by Captain Jonas Haraldsson of 211 Squadron of the Swedish Air Force in February 2006. By Jan McGeachie

Aircraft of the Week Archive...

31 January 2026

de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.21 WW217 NAHR – National Benchmark

Displayed in the markings of 890 NAS (Naval Air Squadron) whilst serving on HMS Ark Royal in 1956, WW217 is tucked away in Hanger 1 with its wings folded. Sadly, it is challenging to photograph but is a lovely example of the Sea Venom, the Royal Navy’s first all-weather jet fighter; WW217 arrived at in 1983 and in total 167 were built. By Jan McGeachie

23 January 2026

Taylor Monoplane G-APRT NAHR – Noteworthy

G-APRT was donated to the museum in 2012 and resides in Hangar One, fitting one of the museum’s stated aims of collecting: “Aircraft flown privately if they are significant to the development of the type and represent unique examples which otherwise would be destroyed.” By Jan McGeachie

16 January 2026

SARO Skeeter AOP.12 XL764 NAHR – National Benchmark

Originally developed by the Cierva Autogiro Company, Saunders-Roe took over the production and developed the type as an air observation post helicopter for the Army Air Corps. The prototype Skeeter had first flown on 10th October 1948 at Eastleigh airfield. Additional development saw the type undertake a variety of roles and XL764 arrived at the museum in summer 1980. By Jan McGeachie

09 January 2026

Clutton FRED Series 2 – G-BJAD NAHR – Noteworthy

The Clutton FRED (Flying Runabout Experimental Design) monoplane, G-BJAD in Hangar One, arrived at museum in January 2002; made of wood and fabric, the FRED is a home-built aircraft constructed from a set of plans. By Jan McGeachie

02 January 2026

Bristol Sycamore 3 WT933 (G-ALSW) NAHR – Significant

WT933 is just one of two Sycamore 3 helicopters in the country, and it arrived at the museum in the summer of 1980. On arrival, it became one of three helicopters acquired in less than a month during that summer. By Jan McGeachie.