Viggen Airing - Newark

[NAM Updater]

Details have been uploaded on the museum website this morning confirming that the only Saab Viggen that is displayed in a UK museum will shortly be receiving some fresh air!

If everything goes according to plan the Saab AJSH 37 Viggen will be moved out of Display Hangar 2 at Newark Air Museum in preparation to welcome the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight to the Waddington International Airshow.

As yet a firm time frame for the move outside has not been finalised, outline details can be found here and further updates will be added as and when details firm up!

‘Splinter-Fest’ will soon be with us!!

[blakey]

I'd say you was a couple of years late to try and tap into the fact you have the only Viggen in the UK, I think the museum should if done this awhile back when it was unique.

Was there a reason it was shoved at the back and crammed in, could the museum not of placed it near the front to be rolled out for events and good weather days/nights?

[NAM Updater]

Lee, the Viggen’s innovative design partially explains its undercover display location.

Hangar 2 was designed to primarily get the Varsity inside and at the time (2004) WF369 was the only example of the type undercover in the UK. If you look at Hangar 2 it has doors at both ends, again this was a design feature that recognised that once the Varsity was tucked up inside, movements around it would be difficult.

At the western end the door has a large cut out / penthouse section that allows high tails to go through. As the Viggen has a folding tail it was OK to position it in the eastern end of the hangar (which has a lower height doorway) and lower the tail if and when it need to come out.

Why not bring it out before? Up until last autumn the museum didn’t have a tug that was big enough to handle the Viggen and other large aircraft; we always relied on a local farmer to provide the ‘wheels’. Last autumn (when we had sufficient funds) such a suitable vehicle was purchased.

Now the biggest logistical challenge for this move is going to be getting the Viggen back inside – this is due to the long towing arm on the Viggen and the lack of an obvious exit route for the towing vehicle once the Viggen is back inside. That said we do have a plan, but that may require something else coming out at the other end to allow the tractor to escape!

If this morning’s web-traffic to the museum site is anything to go by I don’t think that NAM’s Viggen time has quite yet passed!!

[blakey]

I think you maybe right, once peeps see one fly they will want to get up close to one and have a good look for one

Lets hope this happens for you guys at Newark, I Would love to see yours out in the open again

[NAM Updater]

Thanks Lee – of course you have the advantage over lots of us about these parts as you were one of the last people to see a Viggen land on the British mainland!

I’m surprised that you’ve not aired your ‘touchdown’ shots from Cranwell!!

[blakey]

That will all change in July

I once watched 3 old chaps push the Sea Harrier into place at Newark, im assuming the Viggen is a tad heavier to push back into place

[NAM Updater]

There’s only one word to describe the difference – ‘Engine!’

The Viggen has one but the Sea Harrier doesn’t!!

A Viggen photograph album from 2006 has been added in here – in one of the photos you can get an idea about the length of the Viggen towing arm!

[NAM Updater]

The topic of a possible Night Shoot involving the Viggen was discussed briefly today and the debate is whether it can be left out long enough to get night-time at an early enough hour to allow for such an event.

Other possible new inclusions for a Night Shoot i.e. Jaguar T2A, Lightning T5 and Meteor NF14 were also being debated.

Any thoughts?

[POL]

DO IT! Not sure I fancy being stood there until 3am though :\

[Zymurgy661]

A night shoot with it would definatley be worthwhile, if of course it gets dark early enough for it to be worthwhile

[Dunk]

Nifght shoot would be great, but this time of year it would be a very late night!

[POL]

Nifght shoot would be great, but this time of year it would be a very late night!

Later than Cosford, I dare say?

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[NAM Updater]

Any Night Shoot is unlikely to be within the next few weeks – hence the comment in the earlier post tonight of – “the debate is whether it can be left out long enough to get night-time at an early enough hour to allow for such an event.”

[blakey]

Mmmmm a Moon lit harvest night

[NAM Updater]

I suppose that could help save on the ’leccy!

Only kidding – the suggestion will be added to the list!!

[Zymurgy661]

Well, if it can be left outside long enough to bring a nightshoot back to a realistic finishing/sunset time i really think there would be a good turn out, hope this can be made to happen!

[NAM Updater]

The hot news today is that the ‘Viggen has broken cover’ and is now temporarily displayed outside on the museum’s Southfield Site – the move went really well as can be seen in the album of pictures in here!

[blakey]

Cracking news

[NAM Updater]

The weather went rather overcast as the pull-out started, but by the time the Viggen was being manoeuvred between Hangar 2 and the MiG-23 the welcoming sunshine returned to greet the Viggen emerging into the sunshine for the first time in just-under 7 years.

I must say it looks rather impressive stood near to the Meteor NF14 and we are now looking at what additional activities we can arrange to make use of its time outside!

[NAM Updater]

As it advises on the NAM website the Viggen is staying outside until at least 8th July (after Waddington Airshow) and perhaps longer – that will depend on what other ‘activities’ can be arranged. As soon as I know anything for certain I will post the details.

If this proves popular other ideas are currently being mooted!!