Get out your checkbook

Classic Air Force 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldv_X_8dA0o
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Classic Air Force to Close, Planes to be Sold

Thu Aug 20, 2015

It has been announced that the Classic Air Force based at Coventry airport
will close and the aircraft will be sold, some ( the 'pleasure flyers')
possibly as soon as next month at Bonhams auction.

Press Release:

Historic Aircraft Collection to be Sold

International Buyers Looking to Acquire Classic British Machines

Europe’s largest collection of post-war classic aircraft is to be sold. The
Classic Air Force, which operates over thirty planes, including the world’s
oldest flyable jet, is actively inviting offers from interested
organizations and individuals. The move follows the announcement by CAF’s
founder, Mike Collett, that he intends to retire.

Now 72, Collett co-founded the Air Atlantique group in 1977, a freight and
pollution control company that at one time owned the world’s largest fleet
of WW2 Dakota freighters.

The Classic Air Force stable is unusual in that it focuses mainly on the
Cold War years, an era ignored by most other historic collections. Most of
its aircraft are either flyable or in the final stages of restoration to
flight. They are a frequent and popular sight at air shows, and are
regularly to be seen in the skies above the Flight’s headquarters at
Coventry Airport. Highlights include two Gloster Meteors – the T7, which is
now the world’s oldest flyable jet,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM2n49OY2XQ

and the NF-11 night-fighter, which is the world’s only example still flying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5-QjXtpiEM

The collection also boasts the actual Canberra that achieved a world
altitude record of 70,310 feet (21,469 metres) in 1957.

“The absolute essential is that they keep flying,� says Collett. “These are
living pieces of history, capable of teaching piloting and engineering
skills that could otherwise be lost. Our commitment has always been to keep
these aircraft alive and operational rather than let them become dead museum
pieces.

“All other considerations being second to that, I’m open to suggestions. If
a committed, well-funded organization puts a convincing proposition to me
then it may well be possible for the whole collection to pass into new
ownership. In many ways that’s my favorite scenario.�

So does that mean that the collection could be broken up?

“I’d prefer for them to remain a collection, of course, but if an offer came
in for an individual airframe, and I was satisfied that the buyer could
maintain it in airworthy condition, then of course I’d give it serious
consideration, but I’m more interested in each aeroplane's future as living,
flying history than I am in a tempting financial offer.�

Mike’s timing for his retirement and the potential sale or transfer of the
collection is relaxed. “I’m not looking for a quick result,� he says. “I’m
committed to finding the right owners or partners. A small selection of
aircraft will be auctioned by Bonham’s in September, but I’m quite happy if
it takes a year to find the right homes for the remainder. Once I’m sure
that these unique aeroplanes will keep on flying for future generations then
I’ll feel I’ve done my job.�

http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/foru...f=287&p=743760