Did you read the petition? There is nothing in there about only public funds. It says they want the PM's office to assist in the location of private or public funds applicable to the project. None of this is asking for anything that wouldn't be offered a static museum. Why should the IWM be able to apply for and get government grants and loans for its operations but not XH558? This is the kind of double standard that the CAF and other flying museums in the US have been fighting for years in the US. Static museums get all sorts of public grants and loans for expansion and operation, but when we (a flying museum) apply for those same grants and loans, we're told that we can't have them, usually with a rediculous comment like "you guys ought to have enough money," an inference that all involved must be independently wealthy and thus able to support the aircraft ourselves, or that we can just sell rides in the plane (something most can't due to FAA rules).
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So could Elly Sallingboe do this then for B17 Sally-B then ? :think: Chris H & Dave I also love to see the Vulcan continue to fly (Not seen it fly yet )
and there are far more important things for public money to be spent on than this
Jab, I think anyone can petition the PM's office for help. I know that here in the US several operators have petitioned the President's office for help with matters in the past as well.
I think the thing here though is that all the occasions I know of, it's a museum or friends of a museum making the petition, so that may have something to do with it since they're incorporated as a "not for profit".
It was probably Chris Trott not ChrisH who clarified the situation ;-)
While it may be a good case to ask the government for assistance in raising private funding for XH558, having read CT's post again.. he quotes.. It says they want the PM's office to assist in the location of private or public funds applicable to the project. Under the present global financial climate (let alone what we're suffering here) I really don't think it appropriate to even suggest them asking for help locating 'Public' funds and I'd be disappointed if any more went their way. I sincerely hope they find a rich benefactor to fund the project as there are certainly enough ludicrously.. obscenely rich who have nothing better to do with their money ;-)
Obcenely rich? Like the people living on the opposite side of Brooklands Road from the museum Dave? A certain St George's Hill estate.
I was reading SAGA magazine, and they advertise a Round the World cruise for next year in one of their own ships, Saga Rose. There are a few Suites left at £52,000 per passenger, but the more expensive ones are sold out. The mind boggles!
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