The Restoration of Trident 1C G-ARPO in Sunderland

[Cityflyer]

On 12-12-1983 Trident 1C G-ARPO made its last flight from Heathrow to Teesside and with a total of 26,472 Hours and 24,908 landings it started a new life as a training aid with the CAA Fire Training School.

Other tridents at the school came and went in the name of training, but after the scrapping of G-ARPH at Cosford (although the cockpit survives at East Fortune) G-ARPO was the only surviving Trident 1C.

On 31-7-2011 the fuselage was moved by road to the North East Aircraft Museum at Sunderland and it entered preservation and after a great deal of work on the aircraft’s interior and a repainting of the fuselage into Northeast Colours, although it never carried those colours, it was a fitting tribute to the tridents that operated out of Newcastle in the early 1970’s.

Saturday 11th July marked a significant milestone in the Save The Trident project to restore Trident 1C G-ARPO.

Following five years of work on the fuselage, an event was held at the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums (NELSAM) “Yes they have had a change in name!” in Sunderland to unveil the aircraft to the public.




Attending the event were over 40 former pilots and flight attendants who flew G-ARPO and other Tridents during their careers, who had been invited to come and celebrate with us.




The former cabin crew


The opening was performed around midday. Museum Chairman Dr Hugh Newell and Save The Trident leader Tony Jarrett made a short speech about how we got to this stage, and then Captain Richard Boas was invited to cut the ribbon at the door to mark the official opening of the aircraft.
Capt Boas was the last pilot to fly G-ARPO when he and his crew delivered it to Teesside Airport in December 1983 for its future life with the Civil Aviation Authority Fire Training School.


He commented shortly before cutting the ribbon that he “could never have imagined when he flew the aircraft that day that he would be here again to see it restored all these years later.” He went on to commend Tony and his team’s efforts in completing this work.
In the old Office



The Engineers Panel

Forward Galley









For further information

www.savethetrident.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/pages/Save-The-Trident/400424790009308?fref=ts

[ian531]

It looks very smart in the Northeast colour scheme

Thanks for the update David

Ian

[Beemer]

We were there on the day it arrived more by chance than any thing. It has certainly come a long way since then. Regards Beemer.

G-ARPO by tommoxxx, on Flickr

G ARPO by tommoxxx, on Flickr

[davecalveley]

Great restoration job and looks like a good day had by all...what a brilliant idea to trace ex crewmembers and make it a special event for them...

[Cityflyer]

Thanks for the "before" shots Beemer, I didn't have mine to hand. Fund rasing is well underway for the funding to add the Tail & Wings. The removal of the tail has uncovered a problem that will require fixing on the other preserved Tridents in around 20-30 years time

[ronturner]

Very nice photos of a job well done. Excellent work on the interior often neglected on such projects. I see the sun shines in Sunderland too.
Well done.

[bulldog]

Is the tail problem related to as my uncle always used to call them ( MD of field aircraft services) the De Havilland Ground Gripper.

My uncle who flew international regularly, I once asked him why he never flew in small aircraft to their various sites in UK. His answer was simple, we know how they are held together!!!!!!!  Gives you confidence that!!!!