BRISTOL BRITANNIA
XM496 PRESERVATION SOCIETY
The XM496 Society
was formed out of the framework of the same named society
but which did not have XM496 in its name. It is important
to note that the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust (BAPT)
is a separate organization and has no direct connection
in the operation of the aircraft XM496 or the Bristol
Britannia XM496 Preservation Society.
The original
Preservation Society was founded on November 01 2001 by
Britannia experienced ground crew and aircrew out of
basic concern that XM496, which was parked at Kemble
airfield, was deteriorating severely. Thus, the aim was
to principally take care of XM496 but also at that time
it included sharing expertise to benefit other Britannia
airframes. With these intentions it was hoped to work
alongside the Britannia Preservation Trust whilst
primarily maximizing the effort to the good of XM496.
However, it
unfortunately became more and more apparent that in
practice the arrangement was not working, with major
differences existing over co-ordination of efforts. Thus,
after losing several valuable support workers, remaining
Preservation Society members questioned the controlling
authority for XM496 and the outcome of these
investigations revealed that everything was still vested
absolutely with the original airline aircraft owner and
partners.
These aircraft
owners believed that XM496 was being historically
maintained and restored by interested individuals but
when the condition of the airframe was revealed to them
in late 2004 the owner’s representatives entered
into discussions with the existing Preservation Society
and BAPT. The conclusion of these discussions resulted in
an agreement to specify a re-badged original Preservation
Society as an autonomous and dedicated XM496 Preservation
Society, with this XM496 Society having sole control over
all aspects and interests of XM496.
During the time
period of discussions involving the implementation of XM496
Society control and efforts, a program of re-painting was
put in place. Supported by the Britannia Association who
funded the very expensive special paint, a nucleus of
five Society members repainted the port side in the
original Royal Air Force colour scheme that the aircraft
was in when as REGULUS she served with Royal Air Force
Transport Command. At the same time a lot of interior
work was carried out including the obtaining of original
fit triple seats and fittings and installing them to a
typical RAF role configuration.
This phase was all
completed in time for the Kemble Air Day on June 19 2005
and XM496 was towed to a prominent show position by a
recently acquired ex RAF Sentinel Tug personally owned by
founder members of the XM496 Society.
The Bristol
Britannia XM496 Preservation Society has established a
good working relationship with the Kemble airfield owners,
Kemble Air Services, and is especially grateful for their
continued support of XM496’s residence.
Additionally
there are many other areas of support for XM496 and
gratitude is due to:
Chevron Technical
Services Kemble - For support on XM496 maintainence
Britannia
Association - For providing paint for RAF colour scheme
Royal Air Force -
For donation of redundant equipment
Rolls Royce - For
donation of Proteus spares & equipment
BMI - For wash of
XM496 pre painting
Duxford
Aviation Society - For donation of cabin windows
DAS Air Cargo -
For support during repainting
HarmbridgeLtd -
For general engineering services
Britannia Aircraft
Preservation Trust - For support & assistance
Delta Jets - For
assistance in many technical tasks
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