TriangleP wrote:
Great update, thanks for posting. Warbird1, my understanding is that VR796 will retain it's Spartan scheme, anybody to confirm that? IIRC both VR796 and Calgary's RS700 are ex-Spartan. There seems to be quite a bit on controversy about Calgary's airframe, and everything seems to be in slow motion there. I guess the City is broke (like most now). Anybody have an opinion about if selling RS700 to Mr. Potter would expedite it's restoration?
I hope Calgary does sell it to someone who has the resources (money) to do a proper, authentic, first-class restoration. I doubt they are going to find many volunteers with the skill levels and dedication necessary to do a proper restoration on VR796 that will have it done in our lifetimes! Mr. Potter certainly fits the bill as a person with the resources for this task as well as several other individuals. In this case, you have to do what's best for the airplane and it's future preservation. Why not sell it to Mr. Potter, use the money to restore the Hurricane and then have some kind of agreement, where the new owner (Mr. Potter) is required to visit (fly) to Calgary for an airshow for it's citizens once a year or so and make a big public spectacle about it's "living" history. Yes, I know, she's a "National Treasure", but I would say exactly the same thing if an American warbird were rotting away in some American museum and they lacked the resources to restore it properly, even if it meant leaving the country. I have no problem with warbirds leaving their indigenous countries if it secures a long-term preservation for the aircraft for future generations to see. JM2C !