English Electric Canberra PR.7 WH791, which currently resides at the Newark Air Museum in Nottinghamshire, is to be disposed of
The jet, which was offered to any external groups and/or individuals who felt they had the resources to safely dismantle and move it this year, has been at the museum since 1998 – first on long-term loan and then from May 15, 2023, as part of NAM’s extensive collection.
As part of WH791’s original loan agreement, it was stipulated that the owner(s) were responsible for its upkeep while displayed at the museum. While some viewing sessions were hosted in late June 2023, the museum has not received any firm offers to acquire the airframe – a survey of which in 2021 “identified many issues” with it.
A December 10 statement from NAM revealed that “active steps to dispose the airframe [are being taken]. This will not happen until the museum has recovered a limited number of useable items from the airframe, which will assist the museum’s other Canberra airframes. Wherever possible some external requests for panels and parts will also be fulfilled. Any excess items may also be sold to allow some costs to be recovered to help fund the disposal of the airframe.”
This is the first time in more than 60 years that NAM has taken the decision to dispose of an airframe in such a way. It added: “We are aware that this will cause some consternation from aviation enthusiasts. That said, the museum trustees and engineering staff retain the unwavering view that we do not have the facilities and/or the skill sets needed to undertake the major work that would be needed to try and save the airframe.”
