Update Canberra PR.7 WH791
Issued on 10.12.23
Earlier this year we provided updates about the situation regarding Canberra PR.7 WH791. At that time the museum trustees sought expressions of interest from external groups and / or individuals who felt they had the resources to safely dismantle and move the airframe.
Some viewing sessions were hosted in late June 2023, however since that time the museum has not received any firm offers to acquire the airframe.
Given these challenging circumstances the museum trustees have taken the difficult decision that they will now be taking active steps to dispose the airframe. 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; plus, any excess items may also be sold to allow some costs to be recovered to help fund the disposal of the airframe.
In more than sixty years this is the first time that the museum has taken such a difficult decision, and 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.
The previous background information about how we have come to this point in time with regards to WH791 will remain live on our website and can be accessed Via this Weblink OR this Weblink