Historic BAC 1-11 Aircraft Takes Unusual Journey Through Southampton Streets

In a remarkable spectacle, the last British-built airliner, a BAC 1-11, defied its fate in the scrapyard and embarked on an unconventional journey through the streets of Southampton. The aircraft, constructed in Christchurch, Dorset, during the 1960s, faced the prospect of being scrapped until the Solent Sky Museum stepped in to salvage what they could.

The logistical challenge was apparent as only the front of the aircraft could be saved due to its size. Witnessed by onlookers, the BAC 1-11 navigated the bends of Canute Road yesterday morning, Saturday, 25 November, making its way to the aviation museum where it would find its new home.

Retired from service in 2000, the BAC 1-11 had spent years in storage in Cornwall before its unexpected resurrection. The Solent Sky Museum has ambitious plans for its newest exhibit – the transformation of the aircraft into a cafe, blending aviation history with a contemporary twist.

The journey of the BAC 1-11 serves not only as a testament to British engineering but also as a creative preservation effort, ensuring that a piece of aviation history finds a new purpose in the heart of Southampton.