VC10’s at Brunty moved onto the scrapping base next to the guppy.

Might the cockpit sections of the Guppy and VC-10s be saved? It’s not like they are going to be RTP’ed for other in service aircraft.

It is a very sad time but we do not know the full circumstances behind the various decisions made with regard to Bruntingthorpe’s future. My eldest son and I had two wonderful trips to the Cold War Jets Days and we are thankful for those.

So for clarity, the VC10s at Bruntingthorpe are not owned by DWalton or have ever been part of the Cold War Jets collection, they are owned by a commercial company who had the contract to scrap the RAF tanker fleet on site at Bruntingthorpe,the fact that they have lasted this long is more to do with the goodwill of the land owner than anything else.

D Walton has done more to save and encourage jet preservation for private aircraft owners and teams than probably anyone with storage,maintaining and running facilities available largely at his own financial and commercial cost.

Yes things have changed, but we’ve all had a pretty good run over the years and with the current massive investment to secure a future home for the remaining Cold War Jet Collection things look very positive.

I was always worried about the long term future for the preserved aircraft at Bruntingthorpe. It isn’t the first time that a change in circumstances for a landowner has meant that preserved aircraft have been shown the door. There was little chance that the cost of moving a VC10 would ever be raised by crowdfunding so the scrapmans axe was inevitable. 

At least those who attended them over the years had the spectacle of the fast taxy runs and hopefully these will continue elsewhere.  

I agree 100% Bruce. David did alot for Historic aircraft preservation second to none. Where else could you see such a collection active in the UK? It is not his fault the new owners are destorying the place. I mean how many acres of parked vehicles do you need?? Surely the VC10 could sit on one of the  presently empty pans but sadly it doesn’t appear that is even possible.. As for the tristars there is no way they can leave now other than in a skip.

Sorry Tony, I disagree – this is about the lack of foresight of the owners of the aircraft, not of David Walton himself.

Security of tenure is everything – and this is something that regrettably was always going to happen at Bruntingthorpe as soon as the wind changed. Walton was one voice in the business, and had done his best over many years to assist in the preservation of vintage aircraft – the vast majority of which remain preserved today. He didnt own the VC10’s – they were owned by private entities – indeed I think one of them was always likely to be chopped. I think he will be remembered for what he did achieve; not for the fate of a couple of airliners that are well represented in the UK, and a commercial transport that actually had little relevance to this country – and was pretty rotten anyway.

Then there are the 747’s and Tristars – also owned by private entities. I cant see a future for them either. But blame their owners; not the guy who allowed them somewhere to stay;

Bruce

Regardless, he will still be remembered for this act of historical vandalism, far more than the good of the past he has done.

I think the barbs directed at David Walton are extremely unfair.

You have to bear in mind that it is/was a family business and despite his interest and enthusiasm, not all of the principals may feel the same.

I’ve no idea and don’t suppose we’ll ever know the ins and outs – and why should we, it’s a private company – but it’s quite possible that he had no choice in the matter.

This is so sad