Grant Thornton Limited has been appointed, as Liquidators, to sell the historic De Havilland Heron aircraft The ‘Duchess of Brittany’.
The aircraft will be remembered for its well-known position at the roundabout just outside Jersey Airport’s perimeter for many years. It was originally operated as part of the Jersey Airlines fleet from 1956.
When it ceased flying commercially, it was purchased from the UK Ministry of Defence by a company owned by a group of local aviation enthusiasts. The aircraft was then maintained in Jersey through revenue generated from annual membership subscriptions, corporate and private air trips and sponsored events such as air shows.
Due to a lack of adequate funds to meet ongoing costs, in February 2020, the Directors of the owning company approached Grant Thornton’s recovery and reorganisation experts, Alan Roberts and Ben Rhodes, to assist them. . The Company was placed into liquidation on 3 April 2020.
Alan Roberts, Director of Recovery & Reorganisation for Grant Thornton Limited said of the sale: “This is a lovely aircraft of truly historic importance to the Channel Islands. Any purchaser will be preserving this asset for the current generation of islanders who rarely see such interesting classic aeroplanes.”
The joint liquidators have advertised the aircraft for sale in Jersey in the hope that, due to its historical links with the Island, it might be purchased by a local aircraft enthusiast.
The aircraft is currently unable to fly due to outstanding repair work, but prospective purchasers wishing to restore it to flying condition would be welcome to come forward. No asking price has been set by the Joint Liquidators at this time.
