The world's only 'serviceable' CL44 survivor: RP-C-8023 (ex N447T, cn.16) stored at Bournemouth,UK

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1 MAY 2008 The Guppy has returned to its original position
and the BAC 1-11 has taken its place on the European apron.
That was at 12:00hrs

1 MAY 2008 The engines were run and now all have been taken
off - not a good sign as it looks like they just used the aircraft as an
engine stand and now all engines are gone.The CAA won't allow it to even fly away on a ferry permit so the future
looks very bleak

30 APRIL 2008 Mike Phipp send me the following picture, techical crew is clearly preparing the engines for removal

29 APRIL 2008 ALARMING MASSAGE: At 11.00 Local time The aircraft was relocated to the European tarmac and removal of the propeller of engine #1 was started. By 16.00 all four mighty 12 ft. DeHavilland props were removed and placed on pallets next to the Guppy. Please see the following link: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5s_Jf_qZIGM
A very sad sight isn't it...

28 APRIL 2008 An engine run was performed on all 4 engines.

FEB 2008 Latest info rumors go Heavylift has rejected the mission and a sale to an Afican party did not materialize but given the money they already spend, it would surprise me if they just would walk away and leave her to the elements.

JAN 2008 The future of the mighty Guppy is very unsure since there has been not any movement on the aircraft since januari 2007.

Our logs reveal the following timeline in events since her long time storage in the USA:

After storage by ALG-First International AL at Smyrna Nashville TN (see the production list of #16 at www.swingtail.com) the Guppy was brought back to life early 2002. Test Flight from Smyrna was conducted at 23-05-2002. Delivery of 9G-LCA took place at 26-09-2002 and was done in daylight hours only. A landing and night stop was made in YQX, with final delivery to Teesside,UK the next day. The CL44 did some hours of flying for crew training 28-09-2002. 9G-LCA was repositioned to Bournemouth BOH. 9G-LCA arrived at Hurn from Teesside as JON03F on 31-12-2002. An extensive engine run took place on 17-04-2003, at a spot close to the perimeter road at BOH, next day a test flight was performed, during this flight engine #1 was shut down. (If any of you has photo's and /or Video Footage of these events, Please contact me !). Aircraft was put in open storage in front of the BASCO hangar.

01-10-2006 Aircraft sold to Heavylift Cairns. 31-10-2006 Aircraft into BASCO hangar performed a Landing Gear swing Test. 02-11-2006 Aircraft outside BASCO again, following day 03-11-2006 performed an underpower engine test. 04-11-2006 into BASCO again. 06-11-2006 9G-LCA performed another outside engine test with malfunctions occurring on #1 and #2 engine. Next day in BASCO hangar again. Two weeks later, engine #2 was replaced and 30-11-2006 saw a full power 1 hr engine test in front of BASCO's - facing south, no problems occurred. At 10-12-2006 the Guppy was Re-registered RP-C8023. Roll-out with new reg on 12-12-2006 performing another 1hr full power engine run at the old 17/35 runway just north of RWY 26. Into BASCO's again same day. 15-12-2006 pushed outside BASCO's again for the last time, BASCO closed 22-12-2006. Preperations were made for delivery flight. Around 10-01-2007 a flying ban on the CL44 was re-issued by the CAA. 16-02-2007 the machine was re-located from the BASCO platform to the taxiway near European. During November 2007, the CL44 was up for sale again. She performed another engine run at 28-11-2007.

These accurate sightings provided by the local friends at Bournemouth, Many Thanks!