Folland Gnat XR987/ZK-RAJ

[ZacYates]

I didn't realise Matt Wilcock's flying Folland Gnat project didn't have its own dedicated thread and had only been reported on via the Rumours thread. So I figured why not institute one?

The aircraft has been at Classic Flyers in Tauranga since February but that has now changed. An update shared today by Matt on Facebook (link):

Friends, it is nice to be able to share some positive news with you. As you can see, the Gnat is loaded up and being trucked to our engineers workshop [in Auckland - ZY] in order to push forward with the rebuild to flight status. With all the covid lockdown restrictions in New Zealand, this has meant further, ongoing delays so the decision was taken to move the Gnat to our engineer rather than the other way round! I am very excited about the move and the continuation of this project. Stay tuned!

ZK-RAJ Tauranga 161221 Matt Wilcock 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-RAJ Tauranga 161221 Matt Wilcock 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

I'm torn by this news - on the one hand it's a positive step toward a return to flight, on the other my wife and I are visiting Classic Flyers on Christmas Eve and I was really looking forward to seeing ZK-RAJ in person at last!

[ZacYates]

Less than four hours later (FB link):

Safe and sound, now let the games begin!!

ZK-RAJ Auckland 161221 Matt Wilcock 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-RAJ Auckland 161221 Matt Wilcock 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Who has a Gnat-sized shed? That’s brilliant!

[ZacYates]

I completely forgot to share a photo by Matt from the 19th - the wing's back on!
ZK-RAJ Auckland 190322 Matt Wilcock by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[ZacYates]

Apologies folks, I've really been slipping! Matt had earlier posted an update on Facebook too:

to date [11/03/22 - ZY] we have had the jacks stripped, cleaned, repainted, new fluid and seals installed etc. These are crucial to the forthcoming work which is to reattach the wings and connect fuel and hydraulic lines and electrical connections. Once this is done we can static test these systems, then the tail will come off to allow access to the engine to work on that. As for a timeline, it’s a bit hard to say but definitely wanting to get her flying this year.

[ZacYates]

April 4:

Had a chance to see the Gnat today, good progress being made with the wings reattached and the engine removed from the rear fuselage. The airplane is in very good condition and the engine, which had been overhauled about 7-8 years ago and then stored also appears to be in excellent condition. Next jobs are to remove any corrosion that is found, and there is a little bit here and there, pressure test the Hydraulic system to test for any leaks and then check the fuel system and tank condition. In the photos below you can see cockpit section looking quite good, the engine and how it fits into the forward fuselage and the rear part of the fuselage behind it. More updates to come as we move forward with the project.

ZK-RAJ Auckland 040422 Matt Wilcock 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-RAJ Auckland 040422 Matt Wilcock 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-RAJ Auckland 040422 Matt Wilcock 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[ZacYates]

A new update from Matt on the Gnat this morning! (FB link):

Quick update on the progress so far: most of the cockpit flooring and panels have been removed to check for corrosion, and as with most of the rest of the airplane there has been very little found. The airplane is in remarkably good shape considering her travels the last few years. These bladders are from the fuselage tanks and are of a flexible construction, they’re being removed and getting pressure checked to test their integrity. Interestingly, there are 10 fuel tanks, not including the slipper tanks on the wings!! Next steps will be to get the engine ready for starting and engine run tests.

ZK-RAJ Auckland 150622 Matt Wilcock 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-RAJ Auckland 150622 Matt Wilcock 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-RAJ Auckland 150622 Matt Wilcock 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-RAJ Auckland 150622 Matt Wilcock 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[ZacYates]

An update from Matt on Facebook (link):

A quick update and a blast from the past! To date the Gnat has had some specialised tooling built for her, seals and hoses have been made and will be fitted out in the coming weeks. Once fitted, static testing of various systems can begin, which is very exciting indeed as it’s always so good to see progress. I’m going to give a shameless plug for my engineer, Paul of AeroR Restorations who is doing the work on the Gnat. I have been very impressed with Paul and his team, their diligence, expertise and workmanship have been outstanding and when I eventually fly the Gnat, it will be with full confidence in the airplane.

To the Blast from the Past, a big thanks to John Oliver who sent me these photos he had showing XR987 when she flew with the Yellow Jacks, the forerunner of the Red Arrows. You can see her here on the far left side of the formation. The photo has been blown up a bit to show her registration markings. I love the red scheme but the yellow also looks fantastic!

Yellowjacks via John Oliver by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Yellowjacks via John Oliver crop by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[Dave Homewood]

Matt has a new YouTube channel to follow
www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ-ebcyFD70UO9HCzg3ioJw

[ZacYates]

Excellent news, thank you for sharing that Dave!

[ZacYates]

Matt and engineer Paul were kind enough to allow my friend Nick and I to visit the workshop on Thursday last week. It was great to meet Paul and chat about the project and to see my first Gnat in person. Such a neat wee machine!
XR987/ZK-RAJ Auckland 221310 Zac Yates by Zac Yates, on Flickr
XR987/ZK-RAJ Auckland 221310 Zac Yates by Zac Yates, on Flickr
XR987/ZK-RAJ Auckland 221310 Zac Yates by Zac Yates, on Flickr
XR987/ZK-RAJ Auckland 221310 Zac Yates by Zac Yates, on Flickr
XR987/ZK-RAJ Auckland 221310 Zac Yates by Zac Yates, on Flickr
XR987/ZK-RAJ Auckland 221310 Zac Yates by Zac Yates, on Flickr
XR987/ZK-RAJ Auckland 221310 Zac Yates by Zac Yates, on Flickr
XR987/ZK-RAJ Auckland 221310 Zac Yates by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[ZacYates]

Matt’s shared a video update of progress on the Gnat:

[ZacYates]

[ZacYates]

[ZacYates]

It was great to finally meet Matt at Omaka and have a couple of catch-ups over the weekend. I'm catching up on a lot of social media I've missed and here's an update on the Gnat from during this past week (FB link):

More excellent work from the engineers at Aero Restorations! The first 3 pictures show the left main gear leg with some minor work done to it and the final outcome after painting, which looks brand new. The 4th photo is the rear cockpit brake master cylinder and new hoses connected to the back of the rudder pedal. The braking in the Gnat is a conventional toe brake arrangement. The next photo is the brake unit itself, minus the ceramic brake pads, after it has been completely cleaned with new seals and bushes. The last photo is the front cockpit brake master cylinders and new hoses. The plan for the next stage is leak testing of the fuel bladders, final assembly of the Oleos and filling with nitrogen and then the nose and main legs can be refitted to the airframe.

20230417 ZK-RAJ via Matt Wilcock 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230417 ZK-RAJ via Matt Wilcock 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230417 ZK-RAJ via Matt Wilcock 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230417 ZK-RAJ via Matt Wilcock 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230417 ZK-RAJ via Matt Wilcock 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
20230417 ZK-RAJ via Matt Wilcock 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr