Iclo, I'm speaking in generalities because I have no direct information about this group and it is my own opinion based upon my observations and limited powers of logic.
Sounds like they already had a spare engine which is good. Crowdfunding probably is viable for problems due to a single event, but like I said, that is not a "plan," it is a reaction to the event. The plan was having a spare engine which they apparently had in place.
For a long-term restoration, I would think there are multiple campaigns to raise funds and crowdfunding is only one aspect of that effort. But I have no information about that either.
Iclo wrote:
bdk wrote:
If they did not have a spare engine last year, they certainly wouldn't this year!
If this organization were run as a business might, you would expect them to have some spare parts so they could continue their money-making operations. If they merely fly when they can to honor who they can, it probably doesn't matter. As Mick G states however, that doesn't give one confidence that the organization has the means to keep the aircraft airworthy in the long-term. They may be only one engine failure away from the aircraft going derelict or sinking into the abyss.
Some museums do operate like this however, and rely on wealthy donors or crowd-funding schemes to step in during a time of critical need. That really isn't a plan though and the funding could take 5 days or 5 years to materialize. I do wish them luck though. Having the aircraft sit exposed for the winter may incur additional maintenance expenses beyond the engine.
With all the respect needed, what are you speaking for ?
They lost almost all their revenues this year with all airshows cancelled in the UK and I think a single airshow in France few weeks ago, but succeed to keep the plane flying and were practising crew recurency training when this failure happened. They have a spare engine ready, they just asked for a bit of help for the extra cost caused by having to crane the plane on the dry. How do they have to operate this plane to make you happy ?
I guess you have similar criticism about the Liberty Bell Foundation and they crowfunding for part of the restoration ?