The BAC 1-11 510ED is a British-built short-range jet airliner, which served on domestic and short haul routes around the world from the 1960s - 1990s.
In January 2026 a programme of work began to deaccession, dismantle and remove the aircraft from display. Over time the condition of this aircraft has deteriorated significantly. After much consideration, we are now removing the aircraft from our collection.
About BAC 1-11
This example of a BAC 1-11, registration G-AVMO, was used on the Edinburgh and Glasgow to London shuttles. Built by British Aircraft Corporation in 1968, it was delivered to British European Airways in November 1969. On 1 April 1974 it was transferred to British Airways European Division.
It flew its last commercial flight on 18 December 1992 from Paris Charles De Gaulle to Glasgow. Its last flight was on 22 March 1993 from Bournemouth to RAF Museum Cosford to form part of the British Airways Collection.
National Museums Scotland acquired this aircraft in 2006 for display at the National Museum of Flight.
BAC 1-11 when on display at the National Museum of Flight.
Condition of the BAC 1-11
With 23 years in service as a commercial passenger aircraft and more than 31 years on display at RAF Museum Cosford and the National Museum of Flight, the condition of the aircraft has deteriorated significantly.
From 2016 to 2020, plans were made to bring the aircraft under cover in a new hangar dedicated to telling the story of the jet age. In 2020, the project did not achieve planning permission on appeal. A programme of conservation began, in an effort to slow the effects of corrosion.
In early 2025, advancing corrosion in structural areas and increasing deterioration meant it was necessary to consider alternative options.
A working group made up of conservation, engineering, curatorial and registrar colleagues came together to review the condition of the aircraft. Several factors came into play when deciding to remove the BAC 1-11 from our collection:
- no option to bring the aircraft under cover
- existing corrosion
- potential safety risk
- ongoing resources required for continued preventive conservation.
The Board of Trustees of National Museums Scotland approved the decision to remove the aircraft from the collection.
Removal from the collection
Guided by National Museums Scotland’s Collections Disposal Procedure, and the Museums Association Code of Ethics, the aircraft was offered for transfer to another museum. This was done via the Museums Association ‘Find an Object’ website from May to October 2025.
Direct approaches were made to other aviation collections. Transfer did not prove to be a viable option because of the:
- size and complexity of the aircraft
- requirements associated with its removal from the site
- ongoing care required.
No suitable alternative for sale or re-use was found.
In January 2026 a programme of work began to deaccession, dismantle and remove the aircraft from display. This work will take place from January to March 2026.