Named Duchess of Brittany, the de Havilland Heron (G-AORG) became subject to insolvency after restoration work took longer than expected.
After hearing this, Mr Palmer submitted a personal bid of £1 to the liquidator, Grant Thornton, to save her for the CI community.
‘It certainly wasn’t an easy decision but it felt wrong to leave an important part of our local history to rot given how many people clearly care about her,’ Jersey Aero Club treasurer Mr Palmer said.
‘I discussed it with my family and in the end we felt that if no one else was going to then I had to try. I’m pleased to say my bid has been accepted by the liquidator and I am now looking to save her as a community asset.’
Before spending several years flying with the Royal Navy, the Duchess flew across the Channel Islands and beyond for Jersey Airlines from the 1950s.
As a regular visitor, her history is closely tied to the Bailiwicks, he said.
‘She is a remarkably beautiful aircraft and a true symbol of her time.’
Mr Palmer aims to return her to the skies as a historic flag-carrying aircraft in airshows, or protect her as a static historical exhibit.
‘The former is not impossible but the latter is more likely – either would be a much better outcome for the island than her being lost to scrap.’
Additionally, he hopes the project will complement wider efforts to protect and share aviation heritage, and inspire children to be interested in technology and engineering.
‘Ours is a tremendously rich history that is of interest to tourists and local residents as well as the aviation community.’
Several people have already come forward to offer help, to the gratitude of Mr Palmer, since without support he could not have bid in the first place.
‘I’d love to hear from anyone else with an interest in saving this important piece of our aviation and island history.’
Cross-bailiwick involvement would be great, he said.
‘It will need to be as a community initiative, as it will require public support, some significant effort, and of course funding. I will be looking to work closely with Ports of Jersey as well as other interested parties, but first and foremost we need to raise some funds to cover the costs involved.’
Mr Palmer’s 11-year old son and history fan, David, set up a fundraising page.
‘All donations will help ensure this important part of our local heritage is protected and preserved for posterity.’
David said: ‘I hope everyone will support our fundraising so we can save an amazing plane and an important part of our local history.’
Visit gofundme.com/duchessofbrittany for more information.
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