An islander who has been looking after a piece of Jersey’s aviation history since he saved it from the scrapheap several years ago has revealed that plans to ensure the aircraft has a “sustainable future” are currently in the works.
Matt Palmer is the owner of the De Havilland Heron that was originally brought back to Jersey in 2018, following a campaign whose champions included the late Peter ‘Willy’ Weber, a former Jersey Airlines pilot and aviation enthusiast.
Mr Palmer bought the ‘Duchess of Brittany’ – which used to fly between the Channel Islands, the UK and continental Europe – a few years later for £1, after the company that previously owned it went into liquidation.
It currently sits in a secure area near the air traffic control tower, after Ports of Jersey allowed the former Jersey Airlines plane to be moved from its initial home on a section of open tarmac to a more suitable location.
When I took the aircraft on, it was always as a community heritage project
matt palmer
Mr Palmer has since continued his search for a suitable long-term strategy to protect the “truly unique” aircraft and make it accessible to the public.
He this week told Express that he was working with a “small team” to establish a not-for-profit organisation or charity to take over ownership of the Heron.
“That can then be used to access funding and develop plans for a sustainable future for her,” he explained.
“When I took the aircraft on, it was always as a community heritage project,” Mr Palmer added, stressing that he would “absolutely” still be involved.
“At the same time, I recognise that we need to have the right structure,” he said.