Airliners.net

I received this message from a friend and thought it might be of interest to others on A.net. It concerns saving a Convair 880 for future generations to enjoy.

Art

I thought some of you might want an update on ship #13 that's in danger of being scrapped.
As far as we know its the only complete CV-880 left!
2 private collectors are teaming up to attempt to relocate ship 13 to northern NJ, to be on display as a museum piece.
As of now we are attempting to make this happen. However we need some volunteers in assistance to dismantle and reassemble the wings, engines and tail. We have professionals that know how to do this but we could use some helping hands.
Donations are welcome of course as we could really use them.
We have transportation issues in which we are working with several riggers.
Anyone with the equipment to move this plane is more then welcome to contact the collectors.
Media coverage is assured for the rigger in exchange for reduced fee services, thanks to a relationship with a NY news reporter.
Were not offering any 100% guarantees that we can save this plane. However we are going to give this our very best shot!
Any serious inquiries offering help are welcome.

Contact: gabe21@optonline.net

Is there any further development on this?

For those interested here is a reply I received:

"Hello there, we are doing everything we can. I was working on the plane one day last week and it's really something how complete the plane is. There are TWA ticket stubs in the seat pouches. I took about 100 photos of the entire plane, inside and out. If someone does not move in within the next week with some funding, we will have to take the plane apart. The plane must be moved. A company in China put in a solid offer. Email me back if you want to get involved. The nose section of ship 3 is going to be saved. It is going to a museum. At least I saved something so far. We may have someone interested in making the plane into a bar/club. We will know soon. Thank you for your interest. If you would like to post this on one of your airplane sites, that would be fine. We want to keep the word going...."

I had posted previously when there was attention made to the types final demise. Apparently the group who were working on the restoration have run out of money, and the airport where the aircraft are stored has asked for the balance of back rent.... which could not be raised. The aircraft went up for auction on eBay for $95,000 USD for two aircraft plus whatever spares were available.

I relaize this was a niche plane, but I think it is important that such aviation history is preserved...especially as the one aircraft in question is in remarkably intact condition!


...add me to the list of interested people!