Restoration (to flight) Projects

Having witnessed the Vulcan back in the skies at the Sunderland Air Show last weekend, I was wondering if any other such projects are underway at the moment to bring a classic aircraft (military or civil) back to life?

I know Le Caravelle Club in Sweden are working on their aircraft, and I know the Qantas 707 was restored to fly back to Australia a couple of years ago (is this grounded now?)

Are there any more we can expect?

the 707 is still as far as i know kept airworthy however it hasnt flown since flying into the QANTAS museum at Longreach

PO-2 and a Prentice (although the Prentice is on hold) at Old Warden.

Ta daaaah

http://www.beechrestorations.com

Doesn’t that depend on your definition of classic?-looking forward to the Paul Allen’s Me-262 and He-111, Comet ‘Black Magic’ the Planes of Fame Airacomet and Jerry Yeagen’s Mosquito, Tupolev R-6 and Ki-61, myself

I seem to recall that the Meteor is still progressing and that the Comet project had been abandoned. HHA’s boss told me that the Buccaneer was still potentially airworthy but that it wouldn’t be completed unless/until a contract appeared that required a Buccaneer. Presumably the same applies to their Su-22. Not heard anything about the Shackleton for ages. Hopefully the Canberras will fly again – eventually.

I remember some talk over the idea of getting a Concorde flying again but I assume that was more a hope than a practical idea. Likewise I remember some talk of trying to get Elvington’s Victor flying again – seems Bruntingthorpe achieved that much more easily! The Lightnings (in the UK) will never fly again – the beloved CAA will see to that, although the AALO’s machine still looks hopeful over in the US. Somebody was planning to restore a Jaguar T2/4 and claimed that the CAA had sounded fairly positive about it, but having heard nothing more for a long time, I assume that idea died too. Then there was Mark Hanna & co. and the Phantom FGR2 at Duxford – it was even listed in their brochure as available for air shows at one stage – some hopes! Wonder how the Gannet is getting along down at Exeter?

Given the sponsorship of this forum, I’m prompted to ask why Flypast doesn’t keep us appraised of all these projects more often?

I haven’t heard of any new or significant restoration plans for some time so I get the feeling that most of the hopes and ambitions have dried-up. Oh well, if I ever get that Lottery win I’ll get a Varsity back into the air!

Meteor T.7 at Kemble?

Roger Smith.

I think it would be great to see more classics back in the air but guess it all boils down to cost and design support. There was talk of the DH Comet 4 getting into the air a few years back at Bruntingthorpe but I have heard no more on that….. The Lightnings are still a no go and I haven’t got a clue about the Buccaneer at RAF Scampton. Any news on the Coventry Shackleton anyone???