Are we going to lose another Britannia too the scrap man?? G-AOVT

I believe OVT was sold for the sum of £1

Such a shame that Monarch Engineering has now ceased operating too.

It was a valid concern, borne of rumour but now, seemingly happily, put to bed – and we are all the wiser.

Forum’s working, if you ask me.

Anon.

Just too explain my initial posting which was of genuine concern, the information was passed onto me by a very dependable friend who had been told this by a worried person with connections with Duxford and particularly DAS, for what ever reason he had this belief and from what formulates have said here it seems we have nothing too worry about which is great news.
I would like to say that I feel there is nothing wrong with early speculation in situations like this, if it turns out too be fact then it can often give any interested parties an early advantage in helping save something before too late. How many times have we all thought “if someone had only said earlier I could/would have………”. On the other hand I would never speculate on say the cause of an accident, that is for those with skill and knowledge in authority to determine.

Maybe the OP “Sicobra”, would like to make a comment ?

So, on more detailed inspection can we now conclude –

G-AOVT is NOT owned by Monarch or the receivers thereof.

The scrap metal merchants are NOT circling

There has been NO credible indication whatsoever that location or status are due to change.

Phew.

No this is not the case.

VT was officially owned by Monarch for many years after arrival at Duxford but once it was realised this was the case (everyone had forgotten with the passing of time, retirements etc.) ownership was transferred to DAS.

Don’t misunderstand me, FiltonFlyer, I am as concerned for the Brit at Speke as much as the other airframes there.

I wouldn’t want us to lose any of them – whatever the reason.

Anon.

Its an unfortunate fact of life that the climate at Speke is best described as ‘marine’ -so yes concerns about the Britannia go with the territory!

‘Anon’ spends much of his time at Speke, hence, I suspect, his concern…

“Additionally… the Brit at Liverpool (Speke) doesn’t look like it has much prospect of ever being completed – especially following the recent passing of its owner.”

Anon,

G-ANCF is owned by a trust, and has been for a very long time. Restoration work is continuing apace as before.

I also recall the AEL engineering manager at that time Bill Borrowman had a Framed old style Pound note on his wall and was marked SOLD 1 Bristol Britannia G-AOVT for a £1

That was indeed the case. (You must know my brother in law, Ted Williams ? )

Monarch Engineering are still going. Perhaps they could “acquire” it for “training purposes”?

There seems to be a lot of speculation here.

Is there a source for these rumours?

The DAS website merely says their Britannia was donated.

I recall back in 1980 when I worked for AEL (Aircraft Engineering Ltd) at Luton AEL were the maintenance arm for monarch and in 1981 rebranded to MAEL (Monarch Aircraft Engineering Ltd)

At the time I made a few visits to Duxford and G-AOVT to remove some engine Pipes and swap some panels to repair the Cubana Brit that had recently ferried over the Atlantic from Cuba on 3 engines !

I also recall the AEL engineering manager at that time Bill Borrowman had a Framed old style Pound note on his wall and was marked SOLD 1 Bristol Britannia G-AOVT for a £1

So I suspect it is no longer on the Monarch List of Assets

Regards to Corrosion the Brit was built like a brick Sh*thouse so should last a few more years yet 🙂

For me, if G-AOVT were to go it would be an especially sad day as this particular aeroplane provided me with my first experience of flying with a civilian carrier.

This was in June 1968 on a charter flight to Spain when the Britannia was operated by British Eagle, just a few weeks before the airline went into liquidation.

I retained this Marvel sachet as a keepsake of that day. This was reunited with the aeroplane at Duxford last year and can be seen with the other artefacts and memorabilia at the rear of the cabin

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As we all know aircraft ‘conserved’ outdoors in the UK are never safe, it is really just a question of delaying the call to the scrapman.

That said, I would be sad to see the Britannia go, even though I am not a great fan of civilian aircraft displayed at the IWM, mostly for losing the Monarch livery which will become a rarity in itself over the years to come.

Moggy

Additionally… the Brit at Liverpool (Speke) doesn’t look like it has much prospect of ever being completed – especially following the recent passing of its owner.

Anon.

No doubting its versatility:

https://youtu.be/6VLYpKGVBUg

Hopefully an agreement of some sort can be reached to save this airframe. It would be such a pity to lose another rare aircraft 🙁

Take a look at the RAF Cosford example -that has issues