Sea King XV661 For Sale

Well its standing at 24,100 not only that they have 38 more it makes me so angry that they think these prices are accepted as the normal not the unusual I mean 38 more then the rest beyond that such as pumas and the remainder of the lynx and not to mention the jags when they are finally phased out. Its strange that no one has tried to get one flying or at least bruntyfied if you know what I mean :dev2:

Is there a market…at either 24 or 65,000… for a non-flying helicopter?
Seems too much for museums or groups…and more than a helicopter fan could pay to have his very own in the garden. I’d love one to look after and sit in to make helicopter noises…but that’s a lot of money.

Unlike spending the money on a vintage auto, at least when you’re done with it you can sell it, perhaps making a profit…I don’t see that happening with a Sea King…unless it becomes the Spitfire of the 22nd Century. 🙂

I so agree jag636. Withams are looking for £65,000 min for this a/c yet MoD sold one direct for £5,000 less than 2 years ago in similar if not better condition, then changed the rules and now only sell via this agent..

How much?:highly_amused:

That is a ridiculous price, I can’t see it going much beyond the current £24k +VAT – unless that woman wants to gut it, spray it silver and hang it from the ceiling.

You are so right I have first hand experience of this, we noticed a change when they stopped sending tenders to the museum thus denying us a fair crack of the whip to save something for the greater good. We don’t, that is the museums aim to make much out of the purchase other than growing the collections to save for future generations to marvel at. The only other monies we spend is on staff and maintenance of our charges, this is why we do what we do. I refer to all of the museums across the UK who are all registered charities so are bound by tight rules on cash being soent on their day to day running. I have been in this theatre of a hobby for 35 years and it still is unfair towards the people who matter the most, and thats the public. Not every one can get to the few big museums in the country and thats why museums like midland and Norfolk and Suffolk and north east and newark are so important. Each of those museums have in many cases rare and special airframes in their collection, and in many cases the big ones used to turn their noses up at those types. Well not anymore as its the smaller concerns are starting to lead the way in displaying and saving rare types, love the thread guys.

I so agree jag636. Withams are looking for £65,000 min for this a/c yet MoD sold one direct for £5,000 less than 2 years ago in similar if not better condition, then changed the rules and now only sell via this agent..

You are so right I have first hand experience of this, we noticed a change when they stopped sending tenders to the museum thus denying us a fair crack of the whip to save something for the greater good. We don’t, that is the museums aim to make much out of the purchase other than growing the collections to save for future generations to marvel at. The only other monies we spend is on staff and maintenance of our charges, this is why we do what we do. I refer to all of the museums across the UK who are all registered charities so are bound by tight rules on cash being soent on their day to day running. I have been in this theatre of a hobby for 35 years and it still is unfair towards the people who matter the most, and thats the public. Not every one can get to the few big museums in the country and thats why museums like midland and Norfolk and Suffolk and north east and newark are so important. Each of those museums have in many cases rare and special airframes in their collection, and in many cases the big ones used to turn their noses up at those types. Well not anymore as its the smaller concerns are starting to lead the way in displaying and saving rare types, love the thread guys.

I frequently see airframes and parts for sale with silly prices. Some vendors seem to think if it cost the taxpayers XXXX amount new, it MUST still be worth xxx, despite having no use.
I particularly see this for parts pricing when there are no flyable examples remaining. The parts are totally useless, yet they ask many multiples of scrap value. So a piece that might find a home with enthusiasts eventually goes in the bin.

Ignorant, greedy vendors.

Its a lot of money for a garden ornament or office, no museum will touch this sort of airframe at the bid that it stands at, which is £23,000 ish so far, so I then ask the question if the reserve is not met and it isn’t sold what then. Will they just scrap it or lower the limit, knowing how greedy they are at trying to get”tax payers” the best deal who knows. Wait a minute we in museums are tax payers and so are the people that support us, it seems a bit skewed if you ask me asking high prices for an airframe we “all” technically own and yet the likes of the big museums get free, its wrong I think.

XV661 would have originally been a Sea King Mk1.

It was then most probably modified to Mk2 standard before ending up as a Mk5

How much is a complete un-airworthy Sea King worth. I know its what someone is prepared to pay for it, but is there a current market value?

Very interesting and really hope the helicopter goes to an appropriate home.
My initial interest was sparked by the fact that XV661 actually sailed for the Falklands on HMS Illustrious on 2nd August 1982, so missed the action.
The link tells an interesting story about a rescue undertaken on the MV Lovat but the Lovat story is a confusing because http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=103085 reports XV661 inherited parts from ZA167. Link https://twitter.com/royalnavy/status/559470748306534400 shows photo of ZA167 with “MV Lovat” markings. So which airframe was so honoured, sadly the rescue of the 25/01/75 was not a total success.
As always Caveat Emptor

Lets hope that whoever buys it, can keep it undercover.

Main gearbox and rotors are supplied, just dismounted. There are cardboard boxes full of docs as well.