Chinook ZA717 to join collection

[NAM Updater]

Confirmation just added to the museum website that we’ve been successful in securing a Chinook fuselage for the collection; confirmed as ZA717 from RAF Cranwell; more info here http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/latest-news

#EveryNAMvisitCounts

[Tiger 1]

Hi NAM Updater

Wow.... great edition to the collection... the helicopter inventory has certainly had a boost in recent weeks.

So when is the Merlin arriving

See you soon.

Best rgds

T1

[POL]

Harrier nose next surely?

[NAM Updater]

Rotary exhibits certainly seem to be flavour of the month & we do have precedents for 'helicopter hat-tricks'!

Summer 1980: Whirlwind, Sycamore & Skeeter - all arrived within a month of each other!

We're quite happy with the Sea Harrier for our local VTOL story.

#NAMdeveloping

[Cessna954]

A unique edition to the collection. It and the Puma will require their share of man hours over the coming years.

Hope you don't mind adding this picture of it at Fleetlands back in '94.
19940420-Fleetlands-3 by Neil D. Brant, on Flickr

Great to see NAM go from strength to strength.

Neil

[NAM Updater]

It is recognised that both bring with them a great deal of work - that said there's an additional benefit of new museum members joining thanks to the new exhibit; e.g. the Puma has already seen a new member join, with excellent helicopter skills (he even went to help move it from Cranwell)!

We hope that a similar situation will evolve with ZA717, which has strong & poignant connections for people heavily involved with the museum e.g. on the day that it crashed, our groundsman opted to fly in a Sea King rather than ZA717!

The education role for ZA717 is rather exciting and will eventually give a great opportunity to engage with visiting youngsters (and a few oldsters), plus it has great accessibility opportunities for wheelchair users.

The photo is great and thank you for posting; any leads on the undercarriage would be appreciated!!

[slogen51]

Great frame to have

According to wiki ZA717 was involved in Operation Corporate.

https://www.helis.com/database/cn/11011/

[NAM Updater]

Thank you for the feedback and the weblink - we're building up a lot of fascinating information on ZA717 and we appreciate your input!

We'd already identified the US link, but not the extent of 'Corporate'!

[NAM Updater]

ZA717 has been viewed today by the museum's preferred haulage contractor for this size of load and work is now in hand to arrange the move.

To this end I have just created Just Giving page to help generate the funds to move ZA717 from RAF Cranwell to the museum!

Details here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/howard-heeley3

#ChinookZA717move

[NAM Updater]

Positive news emanating slowly out of Cranwell to the effect that Chinook ZA717 is now outside – hopefully clearance will be given soon so that the final arrangements can be put in place for the planned move.

Any contributions towards the four figure move costs would still be greatly appreciated!

https://www.justgiving.com/Howard-Heeley3

#ChinookZA717move

[NAM Updater]

Chinook ZA717 has now arrived at the museum - a few more details in here!

[phila]

Here it is in the basement at Cranwell in 2007 ;

ZA717 by Phil Adkin, on Flickr

ZA717 by Phil Adkin, on Flickr

[NAM Updater]

Fascinating photos - thank you for posting!

Now a quick question - does anyone know where the undercarriage went and perhaps even the rotor-heads?