Just wondering if anyone knows are tours still available? I’m in the area next Saturday, it would be great to have a look round

Just catching up here, my question is, How on earth does it cost £200,000 to put XH558 into storage? The releases from VTTS state the new hangar will be funded by the developers then leased by VTTS, so the 200k isn’t going there is it! Personally, and I may get slated for saying this, I think Dr Pleming needs to stop drawing a wage, he’s had a hell of a cut over the years, but he did make it happen, however, if he us now drawing a substantial wage from a static aircraft that is to be locked away he seriously needs a reality check! If the aircraft’s interest are in his heart he needs to seriously rethink his current status!

Scotavia, I’ll second that, a bit of clarity and honesty goes a long way!!

Thanks Rich,
Just a thing, you may or may not be able to answer this, talking to a good friend last night regarding the project, he donated money to SPT, and the hanger appeal through the website, he was wondering if this money gets transferred over to yourselves or if it stays with SPT until its fate is decided? Hes not on here hence the question.
Thanks.

Thanks for the reply, however, some things here don’t seem to tally up, perhaps you can help.
Before I make a donation no matter how big or small, I always do a bit of background research on the project so I can assure myself my hard earned money is going to a worthy cause, as I have donated fairly substantial sums to various aviation projects in the past.
What I see from the public information available, is of some concern to me as a donor.
Firstly, you say the Shackleton Preservation Trust is dormant, upon a check on the Charities Commission website it appears to still be operating, no mention of it being dormant. Moreso, the link on your website to donate is live and appears to direct money to the trust.
Secondly I see you claim the Trust don’t own the aircraft or the spares stock, however G-SKTN is registered to the Trust, not a single person, and declared as owned, not chartered. I am aware the CAA see misrepresentation as a serious offence. Furthermore there are documents relating to the sale of an engine, by the trust and declared through the trust, if the spares package doesn’t belong to the trust how can this be? the documents also state that the spares belong to the trust but the aircraft doesn’t.

http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends51/0001020951_ac_20110331_e_c.pdf
https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?catid=1&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=reg&fullregmark=SKTN

I also see that you had a kickstarter appeal for NDT work to be carried out, and an appeal for hangerage, although the hanger appeal was last stated at around £10k, half of the target. I see the NDT was to take place in the winter of 2015/2016, then 2016/2017, is this still happening? Funds raised publicly for a specific stated goal must only be used for that goal otherwise must be refunded less any incentives given.

Unfortunatly the above shows a poorly run project, with what seems to be poor administration over a period of time if the posts i read from the summer regarding ownership of WR963 and spares etc are anything to go by. I feel you need to much more clear cut regarding exactly whats what with your project, as for example if you rely on the Trust spares (which seem clear to belong to the trust) to operate but you have severed the aircraft from the trust how will you continue? also the kickstarter was billed as the trust, but you claim the aircraft doesn’t belong to the trust, what happens to that money now?
Any project like this needs to be clear to the public, yours, doesn’t appear that way. There are many success stories out there from similar projects, but to succeed you need the publics donations, as im sure your aware.

Merry Christmas

Ok great stuff, will these taxy runs be available to the public as just Jane? I presume this means you’ve got your problems sorted out, I’ve read through this thread and you do seem to have had some ups and downs.

Another stunning restoration by ARC! Well done!!