Hi all,
As I’m sure most of you are probably aware by now, the Former European Aviation BAC 1-11 G-AZMF will be “homeless” after Sunday 16th December when the Bournemouth Aviation Museum is forced to close it doors for the last time thanks to the totally “ruthless” approach by the airport management to demolish the hangars and turn the site into a car park!!!
As the museum have been given such short notice of the eviction it gives them very little time indeed to find new homes for the exhibits. As I have tried very hard to look after the 1-11 since it arrived in November 2004 I am keener than most to see that it finds a suitable new home at the earliest opportunity as I fear for its continued existence otherwise! Forget any “heart felt sentiments”, as the airport management have been totally unsympathetic to the whole situation, which is why I fear the worst for the aircraft.
PLAN A
The best we can hope for “REALISTICALLY” is that it is towed back to European and they find a space for it to become a gate guard, possibly at the Chapel Gate entrance on the North West Sector of the airport. Is this what we really want??? More importantly is this likely to happen? NO is the simple answer!!! I, for one, would dearly love to see the 1-11 stay on site at Hurn as this is where it belongs but I’ve got to realistically say “it ain’t gonna happen”!!!
PLAN B
I have just been in touch with Neil Lomax of the Trident Preservation Society. http://www.zulukilo.org.uk/
For those that don’t know, he looks after Trident Three G-AWZK and all the other aircraft at the Manchester Aviation Park at Manchester Airport. Neil has been in touch with the current Manchester Airport Management with a view to the 1-11 being located at the viewing park. The initial feedback looks very promising compared to any plans any of us might have for its future at Hurn. Space is available for it on the existing site and there is a distinct possibility that it would be re-sprayed back into its original British Caledonian livery!!! Neil is an “expert” with regards to disassembling and re-assembling these aircraft and has an excellent relationship with the company that transported the Trident from Heathrow to Manchester. The only spanner in the works at this stage would be the cost of transporting the airframe up to Manchester. An initial estimate is that it could be done for £25,000. It has therefore been suggested that a website be set up in an attempt to raise the required funds to enable this move to take place.
My overall thoughts are that this is by far the best opportunity that exists to ensure the long term preservation of this historic airframe. If it can’t be located at Hurn then Manchester is an ideal choice as it was a 1-11 hub for many years.
I would therefore welcome as much feedback on this unique opportunity so that it can be decided as soon as possible whether or not it is a viable plan.
Please spread the word round to “everyone”, especially those that might be able to influence the outcome and be able to dig deep into their pockets!!!
If we all pull together on this we might just “save our 1-11”!!! And to see it in its BCAL livery??? Only we can make it happen!!!
Regards
Peter
http://www.bac1-11jet.co.uk
BAC 1-11 Forum at Yahoo Groups
G-AZMF Volunteer at Bournemouth Aviation Museum
By: Manston Airport - 24th December 2007 at 23:44
Quite correct sir, got this from the horse’s mouth last week. What has got to be remembered with the airworthy machines is that they are there under the care of deHavilland Aviation, not BAM.
Oh yeah so they going near FRA? Thanks for information. Oh and lets hope the AVP don’t move and that they have roof’s over there head by next Christmas 😀
James
By: JetBlast - 24th December 2007 at 21:02
Ref airworthy aircraft they will stay at Bournemouth and relocated to the north side of the airfield so im told.
Quite correct sir, got this from the horse’s mouth last week. What has got to be remembered with the airworthy machines is that they are there under the care of deHavilland Aviation, not BAM.
By: TRIDENT MAN - 24th December 2007 at 20:38
The AVP may well move in 5 or so years, the old AVP site is earmarked to move to, when and “if”needed.Ref airworthy aircraft they will stay at Bournemouth and relocated to the north side of the airfield so im told.
By: David Burke - 24th December 2007 at 19:12
The Gnat is airworthy and the Sea Vixen is kept live .The history of aircraft preservation at Manchester airport is something we have yet to establish.
Whilst moving an aircraft to Manchester might seem wonderful – do they have any long term plans to house any aircraft? Bearing in mind that Manchester and Bournemouth seem to belong to the same company – are they never going to expand Manchester??
By: Manston Airport - 24th December 2007 at 19:08
Whats happing to the aircraft that fly from the museum like G-NATY Red Arrow Gnat and the Sea Vixen etc? I guess if she cant stay around site at BOH then MAN could be the place.
James
By: Jayviator - 24th December 2007 at 01:02
Wouldn’t the BAC 1-11 be appropriate to Solent Sky as it’s a local product?
Surely parking could be sorted on the airfield for her until the summer rather than try and dismantle her in the depths of winter?
I have read on the southampton airport mailing group that solent sky is going to be rebuilt and made larger, maybe large enough to take a certain 1-11
By: Mrshu - 16th December 2007 at 07:37
New Home for BAC 1-11 G-AZMF
16 Dec 2007
Today is a very sad day for the Bournemouth Aviation Museum as all the exhibits will need new homes! For one aircraft this is a particularly sad day. The aircraft in question is BAC 1-11 G-AZMF. The 1-11 is without doubt the most important aircraft in Bournemouth Airport’s history. First flown from the British Aircraft Corporation site on the 20 th August 1963, it has graced the skies over “Hurn” ever since and will celebrate its 45 th anniversary next year. G-AZMF was the last 1-11 to fly commercially in the UK on the 31 st March 2002 and in recognition of its historic status was loaned to the museum on the 17 th November 2004.
A bid was therefore launched earlier this month to find a new home for the aircraft. In an ideal world it should remain on public display at Hurn, but having looked at all the viable options, it has become apparent that a suitable location regrettably doesn’t exist and that the best that could have been hoped for is that the airframe became a “gate guard” with no public access whatsoever! However, I am very pleased to confirm that an offer has been received from the team at the Manchester Airport Aviation Viewing Park (AVP). They would like to display the aircraft with their growing collection of famous British Airliners which include the former British Airways Concorde G-BOAC and Trident 3 G-AWZK, as well as the last British Airliner Built in the UK, Avro RJX G-IRJX. As you read this, negotiations are ongoing to secure the long term future of this historic airframe. Subject to final approval by the Manchester Airport Board of Directors, it is hoped that a fund raising appeal can be launched at the earliest opportunity. The estimated cost of the move is currently still under discussion as the airframe will need to be dismantled, transported and re-assembled at Manchester. A fundraising website will go live today. You’ll be able to make contributions as soon as final approval is received that the project can go ahead. Please be prepared to “dig deep” and support the move of “OUR 1-11” to ensure that it goes to an excellent home where it will be displayed in all its glory for many more years to come. Please visit www.mikefoxtrot.org.uk for further information.
Peter Clark
www.bac1-11jet.co.uk
BAC 1-11 Forum at Yahoo Groups http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BAC1-11/
BAC 1-11 G-AZMF discussion Forum at http://www.classicbritishaviation.org/
By: Jon H - 14th December 2007 at 00:34
Jon H wrote:
I know there are a few locations that could take G-AZMF tomorrow but its whether the money would be in place to move it…Once funding is in place,dismantle,movement and rebuild is academic…………..Look what was done with G-AWZK,We did it.:D
Oops!
Sorry I meant funding – original post amended.
As for G-AWZK got nothing but admiration for what you guys achieved! My only gripe is that you didnt bring her to Speke 😉
Jon
By: TRIDENT MAN - 13th December 2007 at 20:52
Lindy’s lad, i have no idea to be honest,im just helping out the chaps that care for the 1-11.
By: Lindy's Lad - 13th December 2007 at 20:50
What about the other static exhibits? What of their future?
By: TRIDENT MAN - 13th December 2007 at 20:02
Jon H wrote:
I know there are a few locations that could take G-AZMF tomorrow but its whether the money would be in place to move it…
Once funding is in place,dismantle,movement and rebuild is academic…………..Look what was done with G-AWZK,We did it.:D
By: David Burke - 13th December 2007 at 19:41
Did the museum have no idea that the site was due for redevelopment?
By: Jon H - 13th December 2007 at 17:39
I think the bigger issue is funding.
I know there are a few locations that could take G-AZMF tomorrow but its whether the money would be in place to move it…..
That said hope it all comes together and if she does end up in the North West will happily lend my help and support. I mean it cant be any harder to put back together than a Britannia can it!? :diablo:
Jon
By: Buster The Bear - 13th December 2007 at 17:16
New Home for BAC 1-11 G-AZMF
Due to the ruthless decision to close the museum. Ironically, Bournemouth is part of the Manchester Airports Group and the airfame could end up at Manchester! Anyway…
Click on the News section.
By: cypherus - 9th December 2007 at 20:03
Nashio, discussion at length was given too the idea of dismantling and transporting 607 some months ago on the TVOC website, and the general consensus of opinion including my own is that this idea would never get off the ground without a significant impetus to do it and only then if the authorities could be persuaded too allow such a large piece of machinery to roam the countries road system too whatever location was chosen for her, however since this discussion took place there has been the usual rumor mill in action underlain by indication that a large corporation ‘Might’ have taken an interest in her now that a structured organization with some credibility has taken her on charge.
It must have been noted by all that after the panic of the original announcement that she was too be scrapped had died away, no one seems keen to take an axe to her currently or even too move her too a better site for dismantling, my best guess is watch that space and the TVOC website for information on her future.
As for the 1-11, lets hope that means can be found to move her once more before the site managers start getting tetchy about her being there, they do seem determined too extract every last penny in revenue from the site, no matter what damage they do too others in the process.
By: David Burke - 9th December 2007 at 17:14
Wouldn’t the BAC 1-11 be appropriate to Solent Sky as it’s a local product?
Surely parking could be sorted on the airfield for her until the summer rather than try and dismantle her in the depths of winter?
By: Lindy's Lad - 9th December 2007 at 16:25
Anything else which needs a new home? PM me. I have two outlets which may be interested. Shame about the 1-11. We would have had it. Good luch with the move
By: Nashio966 - 9th December 2007 at 16:19
*sigh* i really hope that the 1-11 mrshu is involved with finds a new home, its a crying shame to see any aircraft needlessly scrapped because of unfortunate events. Good luck!
By: Mostlyharmless - 9th December 2007 at 16:09
would the cost of moving the woodford vulcan be a load more then???
all the best with your project 🙂
With my almost zero knowledge of these things I’d guess its a lot easier to remove the wings and put a 1-11 on a truck, difficult with the vulcan due to its shape. I think tvoc own it now anyway.
MH
By: Ren Frew - 9th December 2007 at 14:58
It’s a great idea to get the 1-11 up to MAN, Neil is a great guy and really passionate about preservation as well as having amazing technical skills in the field too. To see the plane in B-Cal livery would be brilliant too…
All the best and I’ll spread the word.
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December 9, 2007 at 1:08 pm