Dominie coming to Newark Air Museum

[NAM Updater]

I was over there today for the book signing session and I had a good look at the airframe again and it looks great displayed alongside the other trainers.

See you soon.

[350biker]

Read on another thread that the Gannet has been displaced outside to keep the Dominie inside. Surely the Gannet being a rarity deserved to be better preserved than what is basically just a modern executive jet? Appreciate the work NAM does and the difficult decisions it has to make on occasions.
Discuss!

[jakdaw]

How many Gannets preserved/and undercover vs Dominies preserved/and undercover? Also, basically, but not actually a modern executive jet. In an ideal world both should be undercover but its rareity in preservation, plus Newark has a collecting policy of training aircraft which the Dominie is a great addition too.

[NAM Updater]

A valid question about Gannet v Dominie being inside was raised by 350biker, but where to start?

This was partially explained in the original NAM news release about the Dominie acquisition i.e.

“The acquisition of Dominie T1 XS726 is in line with one aim of the museum’s stated Collecting Policy of acquiring:

'Aircraft used in a training role.'

It also fills an important gap in the museum’s themed display of training aircraft. The type was used to teach the skills of systems management, air leadership, decision making and teamwork to various aircrew members including: weapon systems officers / operators, air engineers and air loadmasters."

Having been involved in making the decision I can explain the rationale even further.

It was viewed form a national perspective, using the NAHR (National Aviation Heritage Register) listings; this scheme is detailed and can be searched via this weblink http://www.bapc.org.uk/html/nah_register.html

Even displayed inside NAM’s Gannet was only listed as Significant; mainly due to at least one AEW3 being displayed inside at a national collection. (There are 4 AEW.3’s listed).

At the time of the decision, there were no Dominies displayed undercover and the only one listed in a national museum is a later version of the Dominie. This move undercover will not only help preserve the type, but it should hopefully see XS726, which will retain its original configuration awarded National Benchmark status (the top listing possible).

A similar logic was used back in 2003 to help secure a major HLF (Heritage Lottery Fund) Grant, when designing Hangar 2 around moving the Varsity inside.

I have been looking round Hangar 2 this morning with a colleague, as NAM is looking at a major redevelopment of the area by the front of Hangar 2 to develop the training theme even further – watch for news about this in the New Year!

[IanOlder]

Found this tonight, 726 arriving at Fairford 1996

XS726 by IanOlder, on Flickr

[NAM Updater]

Very nicely captured Ian!

Is there any chance that we might scrounge a copy for the museum archive and perhaps for publication in the member's newsletter? If you feel that might be possible please PM me an email address and we can discuss this off board.