Skip to main content
On The Radar

Aircraft of the Week

14 June 2026

Westland Sioux AH.1 XT200 NAHR – Significant

Now that looks familiar, I always think as I pass the splendid example of the Westland Sioux helicopter in Hangar One. I remember the light helicopter’s feature role in the popular 70’s/80’s M*A*S*H television series, its skids prepared for medical mercy flights, as befits the design principle of the Bell 47. No such starring role for Westland Sioux AH.1 XT200, having arrived at the museum in 1978. By Jan McGeachie

Read More...
30 May 2026

Percival Provost T.1 WV606 (7622M) NAHR – Significant

With Monday 1st to Sunday 7th June, 2026 being Volunteers Week, when the diverse roles of the country’s volunteers are justly recognised; what better way to celebrate, than highlighting one of the museum’s early aircraft arrivals, Percival Provost? By Jan McGeachie

23 May 2026

MBA Tiger Cub 440 G-MBUE NAHR – Significant

How many visitors look up and see the single seater biplane Tiger Cub hanging from the rafters in Hangar One, and realise that this Nottinghamshire produced microlight has folding wings? By Jan McGeachie

16 May 2026

Boeing Chinook HC.1 helicopter ZA717 NAHR – Awaiting Classification

Thanks to incredible teamwork after its rapid purchase in February 2018, ZA717’s departure from RAF Cranwell helped highlight the museum as the country’s first volunteer managed collection to display a Royal Air Force Chinook. ZA717’s arrival was witnessed by school pupils visiting the museum as part of the Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire education visit programme. This felt rather appropriate, as its intended long-term future use is for it to become a learning space. By Jan McGeachie

Aircraft of the Week Archive...

09 May 2026

de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 WB624 NAHR – Noteworthy

This fine example of a Chipmunk T.10 (Mk 10) arrived at the museum in 1995 and was built as a two-seat basic trainer; with a wingspan of 34 feet 4 inches; length 25 feet 8 inches and range of 300 miles. The type had a maximum speed of 138mph; could operate at heights up to 16,000 feet and was powered by a single de Havilland Gipsy Major Mk.8 engine. The 80th anniversary of de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk's first flight is 22nd May 2026, having first been flown in 1946, in Toronto, Canada. By Jan McGeachie.

24 April 2026

Westland Lynx HC.28 QP-31 NAHR – Awaiting Classification

Westland Lynx HC.28 QP-31 arrived at the museum in December, 2018. The airframe is one of just three Lynx HC 28 helicopters built and purchased by the Qatar Ministry of the Interior. A condition of its donation to the museum is that it remains in Qartari Police markings, with the serial QP-31. By Jan McGeachie

17 April 2026

Luscombe P3 Rattler Strike G-BKPG NAHR – Noteworthy

This single-seat ultra-light general-purpose aircraft has always held a fascination for me during my many visits to the Museum, being a little unusual to the rest of the exhibits on display inside Hangar 2. By J McGeachie

12 April 2026

GAF Jindivik Mk 103B, A92-708 NAHR – Awaiting Classification

What is it visitors first see at the museum entrance when they arrive? The brightly coloured GAF Jindivik reusable radio-controlled target drone, which arrived at the museum in summer 2021. As well as fitting in with the themed training display at the museum, it also augmented the Hangar 2 UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) display. This display was established as a collaborative exercise with the Institute of Engineering and Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG) at the University of Nottingham and the RAF Museum, Hendon. By Jan McGeachie.