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Just been reading that a company has bought Bruntingthorpe airfield, and given an eviction notice to the various historical aviation society’s based there, this means they have to remove the jets buy the end of the year!
there is a petition raised to try and stop this, would be worth signing.
I'll keep one in my yard if they would like.
Not just Cold War, there’s a Super Guppy there as well...
And a DH Comet 4C
‘Canopus’ formerly flew out of RAF Lyneham, then Boscombe Down.
I don't get it. I mean, OK, having enough runway to fly and fast taxi is massive but surely the planes can be stored in a relatively small space? In fact looking at google earth it seems like that's already what's happening, there's cars and planes all around some of them. Couldn't standings be added on the grass areas, or something?
It just seems really easily avoidable.
They cant fly again,they cant move them so just a pile of scrap from a bygone age, is what the new owners possibly think,and a huge site for redevelopment as a logistics base, housing or other uses in the next few decades all hampered by scrapper planes.
It just seems really easily avoidable.
Trouble is, anywhere a plane could be, dozens of cars, billed at 50p a day, could be put in their place.
It is a pity but (totally topsy turvy IMO) the historic aviation bit has always been the poor relation there. The last time I took the kids to one of the open days they had been relegated to the 'far' end of the runway so they couldn't fast taxi them properly. I was thinking that the writing was on the wall then.
Hopefully the exhibits will find a more appreciative home.
I can’t see that happening if the costs quoted for moving them are right. As much as £300,000 for one plane.
tomhoward
SubscriberTrouble is, anywhere a plane could be, dozens of cars, billed at 50p a day, could be put in their place.
Sure, but if they don't want to park on the grass, then the planes can be moved there and rearranged for compactness. And if they do want to park on the grass, then they have space for 50 kabillion cars and also a bunch of planes. It just doesn't seem that unsolvable, especially with there being undeveloped land next door.
It just doesn’t seem that unsolvable
I suspect that solving it would involve paying the land owners to store the aircraft. They're a company, not a charity.
The Lightning’s are safe, the Buccaneers are already being prepped for a move to their new home and the Shackleton is being taken apart as well. Mr Walton owns a number of the other aircraft so they will be staying as well.
Not sure about the remainder but there seems to be no chance of fast runs again.
There were some Tristars stored there last time I had a look around. Have they been flown out?
I would think that the Victor/Comet/VC10 will be pretty pricey to move.
No, the Tristars are still there awaiting a buyer. Google suggests they are airworthy but i suppose actually flying them out depends on the status of the runway and if it can be cleared of cars etc.
I "think" David Walton owns the Victor so its safe but unlikely to run again.
@Northwind - look at my photos, the Comet is on a hardstanding, the Superguppy is on grass, as are quite a few of the other planes. Some are airworthy, there’s a little jet trainer, Czech Republic I think, that’s owned by a consortium that could be flown out. I sat in the cockpit and went through the start-up routine, it only neede one switch to be pushed and it would have started up!
Lovely little jet, can’t remember what make it was though.
This one’s on hardstanding, as is the F-104, I’d have to look at my photos to see if the Sea Vixen and the Buccaneers are.
If you look in the background you can see stored cars lined up close to the Comet, that was in 2016, and I’ve just looked at the photos I took then, and most of the planes are on hardstanding, it’s only the Shackleton and the Superguppy that are on grass, or at least out of the ones I took photos of.
Isn't that trainer called an Iskra or Ikra?
Can't remember the name precisely.
It is a pity as the Fast Taxi day was a once every couple of years thing for me and the kids.
For all my son's feigned lack of interest a EE Lightning going past on full reheat certainly got his attention.
The Delphin hasn’t flown in many years. Possibly could be made airworthy but certainly isn’t at the moment.
@Danny it's an Iskra, the last time I saw it running the front wheel was off the ground, certainly looked like it wanted to fly.
Cox Automotive have stated they are working with the previous owner to find a "mutually beneficial outcome" so maybe there is still hope.
I once watched a secret Kasabian gig inside a disused 747 there, was absolutely bonkers.