Toronto Hesitant to Donate Lanc To BC Museum for Restoration
-
mcrit
If the guys in B.C. want to make it fly again, then give it to them.
[url=http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/to ... ocid=ientp]http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/to ... ocid=ientp[/url]
-
GoBoy
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:35 pm
The Economic Development Dept of the City of Toronto recommended the transfer of the aircraft to the BC Aviation Museum . It looked as if this airframe was to finally have a safe and stable future.
However, a small grass roots group of 4-5 individuals has come forward and is attempting to block the transfer and keep the aircraft in Toronto.
They are a small group that has no money , no facility or location to build a facility , no experience in aircraft restoration. They have contacted a couple of people that have Lanc Resto experience but nothing more than that. While I too would love to see the aircraft stay, its history in Toronto has been horrible its whole life . From sitting on a pedestal for years, to being scavenged for parts for other Lanc projects , to being loaned to the Toronto Aerospace Museum which could not keep themselves afloat , to sitting stored for several years at various location.
The City of Toronto did the right thing and accepted proposals from reputable Aviation Organizations that wished to take over ownership of the aircraft. It identified a suitable group that are supported by Victoria Air Maint, ( they just restored a Mosquito ). The City also place a parachute clause that would transfer ownership to another group if the BC Museum closed down. They did their due diligence
This new small inexperienced group has now come on the scene and is trying to block the entire proposal. While their intentions may be in some way understandable, giving ownership to such a group at this point in the negotiations would be adverse to the airframes future.
Toronto really does not have the market for another Lancaster Exhibit considering there is one flying example and 2 under restoration and one in the National Museum all within 5 hrs of each other. Each of these aircraft were built in Toronto , so Victory Aircraft Ltd is well represented.
The main concern should be for the airframe itself , NOT where is does or does not stay .
I really hope that the City sticks to the recommendation and finally does right by this aircraft.
However, a small grass roots group of 4-5 individuals has come forward and is attempting to block the transfer and keep the aircraft in Toronto.
They are a small group that has no money , no facility or location to build a facility , no experience in aircraft restoration. They have contacted a couple of people that have Lanc Resto experience but nothing more than that. While I too would love to see the aircraft stay, its history in Toronto has been horrible its whole life . From sitting on a pedestal for years, to being scavenged for parts for other Lanc projects , to being loaned to the Toronto Aerospace Museum which could not keep themselves afloat , to sitting stored for several years at various location.
The City of Toronto did the right thing and accepted proposals from reputable Aviation Organizations that wished to take over ownership of the aircraft. It identified a suitable group that are supported by Victoria Air Maint, ( they just restored a Mosquito ). The City also place a parachute clause that would transfer ownership to another group if the BC Museum closed down. They did their due diligence
This new small inexperienced group has now come on the scene and is trying to block the entire proposal. While their intentions may be in some way understandable, giving ownership to such a group at this point in the negotiations would be adverse to the airframes future.
Toronto really does not have the market for another Lancaster Exhibit considering there is one flying example and 2 under restoration and one in the National Museum all within 5 hrs of each other. Each of these aircraft were built in Toronto , so Victory Aircraft Ltd is well represented.
The main concern should be for the airframe itself , NOT where is does or does not stay .
I really hope that the City sticks to the recommendation and finally does right by this aircraft.
-
ScudRunner-d95
- Posts: 1349
- Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 5:08 pm
Get the dam thing in the air, not like its just going to fly over YYJ. Imagine two Canadian Lancs touring the country!
-
David MacRay
- Posts: 1259
- Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2015 3:00 pm
It certainly would be terrific if someone restores it to flying condition. The parachute clause might be the most important part these days.
It's tough times for aircraft restoration. Kermit Weeks and that guy with the mosquito that the Kiwis re-built had to scale back operations a few years ago.
How much money does this BC air museum have? What planes have they restored to flying condition before?
I hate being the guy that wrote that.
I want to write, "They're going to restore another Lancaster and fly it!"
It's tough times for aircraft restoration. Kermit Weeks and that guy with the mosquito that the Kiwis re-built had to scale back operations a few years ago.
How much money does this BC air museum have? What planes have they restored to flying condition before?
I hate being the guy that wrote that.
I want to write, "They're going to restore another Lancaster and fly it!"
-
GoBoy
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:35 pm
The British Columbia Aviation Museum has been around since the 70's so as far as I know is a stable Museum. They have restored countless vintage aircraft over the years. They are also backed and supported by Victoria Air Maint. , who are known world wide for vintage / warbird restorations
They have a surplus of over 200k that more than covers the transport of the airframe. There is also a solid plan to restore the aircraft that covers facility , expertise and funding requirements.
They have a surplus of over 200k that more than covers the transport of the airframe. There is also a solid plan to restore the aircraft that covers facility , expertise and funding requirements.
-
Colonel
- Posts: 3450
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:31 am
One Merlin engine sounds challenging enough. But four?!
Speaking of one Merlin engine - or was it a Griffen? - remember
the Spitfire that the people in BC tried to restore, and had to
bail on?
It's not easy to get the money, the parts and the skills all
together at the same time.
Speaking of one Merlin engine - or was it a Griffen? - remember
the Spitfire that the people in BC tried to restore, and had to
bail on?
It's not easy to get the money, the parts and the skills all
together at the same time.
-
Colonel
- Posts: 3450
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:31 am
I have observed that this warbird restoration thing sure works
a lot better when you have a billionaire writing cheques.
Funny that.
https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of- ... 180967709/
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-ar ... lanes.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vintage_Wings_of_Canada
https://www.fantasyofflight.com/kermit- ... rmits-bio/
Spot the pattern?
a lot better when you have a billionaire writing cheques.
Funny that.
https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of- ... 180967709/
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-ar ... lanes.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vintage_Wings_of_Canada
https://www.fantasyofflight.com/kermit- ... rmits-bio/
Spot the pattern?
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 2 Replies
- 5988 Views
-
Last post by Slick Goodlin
-
- 63 Replies
- 37384 Views
-
Last post by Nark
-
- 4 Replies
- 1679 Views
-
Last post by David MacRay
