Bruntingthorpe pulling the plug on the aviation side.

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Member for

17 years 5 months

Posts: 8,980

It appears to be true, quote

 

Learning tonight that Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome owners want the aircraft out to boost profits to store cars not only infuriates me but saddens me.

As an aviation enthusiast I created my first ever aviation group after my first Bruntingthorpe visit in 2013 and my love for Cold War jets grew from there and I feel this was a bad decision on the owners.

The UK were once feared, once powerful, we had British quality engineering at its best, let’s name a few, The Avro Vulcan, The Handley-Page Victor, The Lightning and Buccaneer.

Bruntingthorpe is the heart of keeping these unique bits of kit serviced and running. The history lives on.

Now we face the threat of those airframes being scrapped! Disgusting.

Why does profit have to dominate everything these days ?

Original post

Member for

17 years 5 months

Posts: 8,980

Thats a kick in the teeth, for those who have put time and effort into the fleets,  I believe Buccs do not know what will happen with their jets, whether they can move them, where too and whether they will simply be scrapped.

 

Museum shut and no fast jet days listed

 

We regret to inform that our Museum is currently closed to the Public, we do not currently have an estimation as to when it will reopen, please check back to this page for updates. 

A unique jet collection celebrating aeroplane history

 

 

 

Member for

14 years 10 months

Posts: 480

The lose of so many airframes would be a huge waste, the large aircraft in particular. Brunty seemed a refuge where you could run a large jet, such as the Comet. Hope they get a stay of execution. 

Member for

20 years 6 months

Posts: 7,025

?  Oh what a waste ,another part of our heritage going.

Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 716

Oh dear, another bites the dust, god knows how they will be able to move the aircraft to another venue.

Very sad times ahead

Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 22

Sad news indeed, I have no connection to Bruntinghthorpe other than attending a couple of the open days.

Well at least the people who owned the airfield gave the space for these jets to be alive for a few years, affording us the opportunity to step back in time. I do hope that all airframes can be saved.

Another public aviation show bites the dust, symphony to those who have jets stationed there. 

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 434

Attended a couple of airshows at Bruntingthorpe, we took the Harvard up both times must of been 1993 94 time so it was just getting going up there with the big jets. Such a shame with now the public not being able to have access to the museum, it's going to happen more and more.

Good luck to all up there.

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 718

I'm utterly horrified by this. My eldest son and I have been to the last two May events and had a great time. My son is in the Air Cadets and I took him along as part of his education into the aviation world.  He was impressed by what he saw and appreciates a lot more what he has learnt about the Cold War. 

It's a sad day when it's all about maximising profit everywhere. It's the same mentality that makes new build housing estates look like they do with no space etc.

Best I stop there.

P.S. Are we totally sure this is as bad as it is being made out to be. I seem to recall reading that the airfield owner was an aircraft enthusiast himself or have his offspring taken over?

 

Member for

15 years 2 months

Posts: 674

Being realistic that would see the Victor, Comet, 747, Nimrod, Shackleton, VC10 and Guppy scrapped. They are just not easily/at all to be moved by road. The Buccs', Lightings, and canberra are more likely to be able to be moved with the others, but where?? St Athan seems to be building a good collection but how many more could they take? Crazy thing is there is so much room at Brunty that the aircraft probably only take up 10% of the room. Ok close the runway and park cars on it but don't close the place to aircraft completely.

Member for

19 years 11 months

Posts: 1,988

Feel sorry for the LPG who put in that massive effort to relocate their QRA shed.

 

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

Being mischievous, I suppose that they could 'take off accidentally' and 'discover' that the nearest place that they can then touch down safely is receptive to the long term storage of big jets! ?

Being realistic, I suppose this demonstrates that nothing is certain unless you own it - and even then local or central government can put a spanner in your works.

Member for

13 years 1 month

Posts: 145

Shame this appears to be true but as Scampton which was once earmarked to become a flying museum site is about to close in the near future would this be a contender for a new base for the cold war jets? 

Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 373

Perhaps worth noting the following information that was posted on the Classic British Jets Collection Facebook page on 07.02.20

"There is a lot of speculation about the future of Bruntingthorpe proving ground. The Classic British Jets Collection Team are extremely thankful for the support we have been given by the Walton family.

At this time we have no information on the future of aviation activities at Bruntingthorpe.

We would like to ask all of our supporters and fans of all the aviation groups/aircraft that call Bruntingthorpe home, to refrain from speculation about the future.

It must be remembered that Bruntingthorpe proving ground is first and foremost a business premises owned by the Walton family.

Once we have information about future of the Classic British Jets Collection we will let you know.

Thank you for your ongoing support

CBJC Team"

Member for

18 years

Posts: 1,227

https://www.bruntingthorpe.com/aviation

Important New Information re the Aviation services at Bruntingthorpe

Please note that, following an acquisition of C.Walton Ltd by Cox Automotive, the Aviation business and Cold War Jets Museum at the Bruntingthorpe site are now closed and will not re-open.

It is recognised that this may be concerning news to some aviation enthusiasts. Cox Automotive is an automotive services business who do not work within the aerospace sector. One of the previous owners of C.Walton Ltd, Mr David Walton, is currently investigating the construction of new buildings adjacent to the LPG ‘Q Shed’ to house some of the collection and safeguard their future on land excluded from the Cox Automotive lease. News of any progress on this front will be released by Mr Walton as and when available.

Subject to the COVID-19 situation at the time, it remains the intention of Cox Automotive to hold the planned Cold War Jets Fast Taxi Day in August. Further information on this will be released much closer to the date.

Please note that due to the COVID-19 situation there is no access to the site currently.

...and indeed:

https://www.am-online.com/news/supplier-news/2020/03/05/cox-automotive-…

Cox Automotive UK acquires Bruntingthorpe operator C Walton Ltd

05/03/2020

The deal sees Cox acquire 100% of the share capital of C Walton Ltd (CWL), including its three locations in Bruntingthorpe (Leicestershire), Wyton (Cambridgeshire) and Long Bennington (Lincolnshire).

A statement issued by the automotive service s and remarketing specialist today (March 5) revealed that the deal also includes CWL’s proving ground and events businesses.

Member for

17 years 5 months

Posts: 8,980

Not looking good for the VC-10s...

The following message was posted on the 'ZA147 The Last VC10 To Fly.' facebook group-

"Sad news for all the VC10 fans around the world. ZA147 & ZD241 have been given notice to leave Bruntingthorpe by the end of October 2020.
As you can imagine all the guys and girls who have looked after these aircraft at Brunty over the past 6 years are very sad with this news and just don’t know what we can do.
If the jets aren’t moved before this date the only thing the owner can do is scrap the airframes and move the fuselages.

What can we do..... The only option we have for the survival of at least one of the aircraft is if we can find a new airfield and road move ZD241 in a sympathetic way so she can power up and possibly taxi once again. This is a huge undertaking and it can be done but it’s going to cost £300,000!!!

Does the VC10 have the public backing around the world to raise this amount of money??? I just don’t know! It’s a huge amount of money to find.
If the fans are interested in preserving one of the last fully working examples in the world I need to know your thoughts. Time is against us and we need to see what public support there is before we could consider a possible crowdfunding project.
Over to you now. Thanks."

posted on pprune

Member for

17 years 5 months

Posts: 8,980

Plus 2 of the Buccs are having to move to Kemble, talk about shafting our aviation history, shame on this US company.

Member for

20 years 4 months

Posts: 1,713

The company is in the automotive business and they bought another automotive business and its premises/facilities. We can't really blame them for wanting to use those facilities.

I understand that David Walton owns the Comet, Nimrod and Victor and he is looking into putting buildings up to house aircraft next to the 'Q' shed, but outside of the airfield. The VC10s and Buccaneers are not owned by him and will have to leave, most likely others too (I haven't heard about the LPG yet). This is a lousy moment for this as museums are struggling and in danger of financial collapse as it is.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 8,464

The knock on effect of these strange times is going to be enormous - I strongly suspect that the heritage aviation sector will be decimated over the next five years or so - museums, operators and restoration companies. This is the tip of a very large iceberg.

Lets hope I'm wrong eh?

 

 

Bruce

Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 22

Oh well, look on the bright side the days are going to get shorter in 5 days (21 June 2020).

On a serious note Bruce, I think you are absolutely right, this is just the tip of the iceberg and the impending economic situation that the U.K. (as well as other countries) face will mean that there wil be other casualties.

I for one thank the management of Bruntingthorpe for giving us so much aviation pleasure throughout the years. It's just a pity that it couldn't go on, but qudos to them for making it happen in the first place.

 

Member for

20 years 4 months

Posts: 1,713

Have a look at Ben Dunnell's editorial in Aeroplane Monthly, he recounts how Aviation Heritage UK (previously BAPC) have stated that large, established institutions such as Brooklands Museum, Bristol Heritage and Stow Maries are in urgent need of financial support and will otherwise run out of money in the near future. There are loads of demands for financial support from many different corners, but if you can spare it, consider donating if you would like to see UK's aviation heritage preserved.

https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/about/support-us/lovebrooklands