Newark Air Museum, based at former RAF Winthorpe, just off the A46, adds Short Tucano T1 RAF training aircraft to permanent collection, bought from Everett Aero of Sproughton, in Suffolk

Newark Air Museum has added a Short Tucano T1 to its permanent collection, helping to expand a unique display of training aircraft.

The opportunity to add the Short Tucano to the museum’s collection came after a short set of negotiations with Everett Aero of Sproughton, in Suffolk.

The aircraft was delivered to the museum’s site by the Everett Aero team, who assisted museum volunteers with positioning the fuselage and reattaching the wings.

While in service, Tucanos were a familiar sight in the skies above the museum, flying from bases in and around Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire in their role as a pilot trainer.

When they were retired from RAF service in late 2019, the museum tried to acquire one, but was unsuccessful.

This particular Tucano T1 — designated ZF372 — was one of several aircraft that had been in deep storage at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, before ending up at Sproughton earlier this month.

The museum then jumped at the opportunity to add the Tucano to its collection, which will now fill an important gap in the museum’s themed display of training aircraft.

The acquisition of the airframe was made possible thanks to a legacy left to the museum from former member and RAF Winthorpe veteran John Dove in his estate.

“By adding Short Tucano T1, ZF372 to its collection the museum has fulfilled the desire to add the type to its display,” said museum trustee, Dave Hibbert.

“It’s addition is in line with one part of the museum’s stated Collecting Policy, of acquiring ‘Aircraft used in a Training role.’

“We are extremely grateful to the Everett Aero team, who did an excellent job with the main reassembly work on the aircraft.”

Museum staff and volunteers will now complete its reassembly and start the process of sourcing missing instruments for the cockpit.

Based at the former RAF Winthorpe just off the A46, the museum boasts the largest independent collection of aircraft on public display in the country.

The public will be able to see the Tucano on display in Hangar 2, taking pride of place alongside several other training airframes, such as the Jetstream, Dominie, Bulldog, Gnat and Jet Provost.