Historic Jersey Airlines Plane Saved

An iconic plane has been saved from certain doom by a local aviation enthusiast.

Matt Palmer has agreed to buy the historic de Havilland Heron 'The Duchess of Brittany',  to save her as a piece of Jersey's heritage.

Islanders will be familiar with the sight of her Jersey Airlines livery at the airport.

Matt submitted a bid of just one pound.

He's now crowdfunding to restore the plane  - either to a working aircraft that can take part in airshows, or as a static exhibit.

“After hearing that the Duchess of Brittany was subject to insolvency I submitted a personal bid of £1 to the liquidator, Grant Thornton, with a view to saving her for the Jersey 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.

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."

Duchess of Brittany flew for Jersey Airlines from the 1950s, before spending several years flying with the Royal Navy.

A group of locals then completed a restoration in the UK but unfortunately this took much more time than expected resulting in her being handed to Grant Thornton last year.

Matt says 'her history is closely tied to Jersey’s, and she is a remarkably beautiful aircraft and a true symbol of her time'.

The goal of getting the plane back flying again is 'not impossible', according to Matt but the static display option is 'more likely'.

“My aim is that this will go alongside wider efforts to protect and share our island's aviation heritage and also encourage boys and girls to take an interest 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."

People have already offered help, and anyone interested in saving the plane is encouraged to come forward.

“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 the Jersey Aero Club and other interested parties, but first and foremost we need to raise some funds to cover the costs involved."

Matt's 11 year old son David has set up a crowdfunding page and donations will be used to protect preserve the plane.

History fan David said “I hope everyone will support our fundraising so we can do something for the Island, and save an amazing plane and an important part of our local history”.