Another one bites the dust – or is there now one less Caravelle survivor?

For ages Caravelle F-BHRI has served as part of a nightclub on the outskirts of Coulonges-sur-l’Autize in the Deux-Sèvres département of Western France. With its nose and forward fuselage within the nightclub, the wings, rear fuselage and tail section are outside. Its been no more than a shell for many years. But it has survived. Until today.

Every time I’m driving south down the D744 I cast a glance left, as I pass out of Coulonges-sur-l’Autize heading toward Niort, to take a look at the Caravelle. I did so on Sunday, when coming back from Angoulême. It was there. I did so this morning, en route for Niort. Where the Caravelle had been, there was a mangled metallic section, a scrappie’s mechanical trasher and several scrap wagons. On my return from Niort I could no longer see a mangled metallic section. Thus I fear that F-BHRI is no more.

The Coulonges-sur-l’Autize nightclub appears to have been closed for some time. I suspect that what I witnessed today was the start of its demolition prior to the site acquiring some new use. I’d like to think that, at some time between Sunday and this morning, some kind spirited soul had whisked F-BHRI away to save it from the trasher. But I fear that will prove to be a thought in vain.

Attached is a photograph of how it used to appear. I hadn’t the heart to photograph it as it appeared today.