It is perhaps difficult for relative new comers to aviation heritage preservation to appreciate the progress made in the last 50 years ,I suggest they have alook at the link and aspects of the BAPC.
The gains in museums in UK aviation far outweigh the losses. Saving an airframe from scrapping at the end of its use by military or civil is the first stage.
W/Cdr flap said..”All the aircraft that found themselves left behind are remaining … including the Varsity.”
Good news…as long as you have the ownership issue settled and legally binding…otherwise I suggest you work with caution.
Nothing has been stated by CAF that the Varsity will be staying at St Mawgan. Therefore it is possible that when time and manpower permits it is likely to be moved to Coventry.Plans are made and changed behind closed doors and keeping enthusiasts informed about changes and potential moves is not something that CAF has an interest in judging by the track record.
As fan of High Ground Wrecks(by Atcham Tower of course) I recall the great whoops of delight when finding a stencilled panel at a crash site,the Beaufighter on Arran was LX 946, it was a bad night for the OTU as they lost 2 crews and aircraft.
I might be saying what you have already considered……the marking of the aircraft serial inside removable panels became common,I have photographed this on a Beuafighter wreck on Arran and a Wellington BK347 in Yorkshire. However it was not a part of the factory finish as the 2 I have seen were made using stencils. So is it possible that the panel had already been swopped from another Wellington before the idea of marking panels spread?
The point of storage is to preserve them! You only have to consider some Uk aircraft in private hands which sit outside and rot with zero effort to conserve them.
When time and money permit it will be possible to exhibit items,meanwhile they are safe.
Really enjoyed the article about Peter Holloway.It is refreshing to see that he arrived into aviation as a hobby and gradually gained the skills to be trusted with such amazing aircraft.
These items are safely stored undercover and as such preserved until money permits public viewing.In contrast there are many historical airframes which are outside in the Uk with no such protection.Several of the aircraft were saved from an uncertain fate when Southend closed its museum.So I see it as a positive aspect of preservation rather than a place demanding more access.
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