Historic jets to auction at Bonhams

Five historic jets come to auction next month.

The Classic Air Force charity, based in Britain, will sell the rare machines at Bonhams' Goodwood Revival sale in Sussex on September 12.

De Havilland plane
The de Havilland Vampire is the most striking of the five planes on offer

The most visually striking of the five is a 1958 de Havilland Vampire T55. The jets were introduced just after the second world war. Although 3,300 were built, it's thought less than 10 remain airworthy - making them hugely desirable.

It is expected to make up to £90,000 ($141,845).

A 1950 Avro Anson patrol plane has a £120,000 estimate, a valuation shared by a 1946 de Havilland Rapide, used as a passenger plane in the post-war years.

A 1950 RAF de Havilland Chipmunk training aircraft could achieve up to £40,000, while a 1948 RAF Percival Proctor employed as a communication plane is anticipated to make around £80,000 valuation.

A stipulation of the sale is that the new owners continue to fly the planes, which are all on display at the charity's museum in Coventry.

The charity's founder, Mike Collett, explained: "These are living pieces of history, capable of teaching piloting and engineering skills that could otherwise be lost.

"Our commitment has always been to keep these aircraft alive and operational rather than let them become dead museum pieces.

"So it is absolute essential that they keep flying them."

The charity is also selling 31 other rare aircraft privately. Among the pick of the bunch are two Gloster Metors - an NF-11 night fighter and an example of the world's oldest flyable jet, 1949's T7 WA591.  Both are available for around £500,000.

The charity's Jem Shaw told the Gloucestershire Echo newspaper: "I would say that the collection is going altogether for about £3million."

"Individually, we are looking at up to £500,000 for some aircraft."

Rare aircraft are infrequent visitors to auction. A rare Fouga Magister auctioned for $116,600 in 2012.

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about aviation auctions.

Register to receive more indepth articles from our dedicated team.

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock