actually ex ZF594

NEAM, as it was known back then, acquired WL181 in 1975 after nearby RAF Acklington closed in 1974. It had languished there since being SoC in 1971, used for lifting practice by the resident rescue Whirlwinds. I'd last seen the aircraft there, a mere 48 years earlier. Its flying career saw service with Tangmere Station Flight, 34 Sqdn, CAW and Advanced Jet Refresher Squadron (Strubby) until going to 5MU in 1965, but it is now exhibited in 92 Sqdn colours.

This F-86D came off the line at Inglewood, CA in 1953 and was assigned to Air Defence Command, initially with the 37th FIS, Burlington, VA and then in late 1954 to the 325th FIS, Hamilton, CA. It was with this unit in 1955 that it flew in the short-lived 'Sabre Knights' aerobatic team, in whose colours it is now displayed. The rest of its career was in Europe, with the 512nd FIS Bentwaters and later Sembach in W Germany. In late 1959 it was prepared by Fiat at Turin under the MAP programme for the Greek AF with whom it operated as 6171, eventually reaching the museum in 1987.

Acquired by the museum from BAe in 1988, WJ639 was built by Handley Page at Radlett as a B.2, flying with 57 Sqdn Coningsby until conversion to TT.18. Used by BAC, the A&AEE and Flight Refuelling for a series of trails before joining 7 Sqdn at St Mawgan, where it finished its service on the squadron's closure at the end of 1981 and was sold back to BAe. Initially displayed in its final camouflage colours with the target towing yellow/black undersides.

Looking smart after a very lengthy repaint that began in 2011, XL319 was flown into retirement at Usworth in January 1983 after just over 21 years of service with 617, 44 and 83 Sqdns at Waddington and Scampton.

Recently given a new livery making it closer to how she looked in the 1970's.

The helicopter was withdrawn from service in 1973 and was part of the Cornwall Aero Park collection before being acquired by what was then the North East Aircraft Museum in 1993.

Built with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in association with Sunderland College and local Air Cadets.

Nose only preserved.

Preserved at this museum, which has officially become NELSAM (as of early 2019).