I do not have the information from the horse's mouth but 3rd hand. It has been suggested that recent use and age has meant a number of important parts have reached the end of their working life. There are no spares for these parts as all have been used.

I believe that the various owners are working on the solution to the problem they all face and it is a question of time and money before they are seen in anger again, other than the odd static display or one off special appearance.

Thanks for the info. I suppose that makes sense (makes me think of the Battle of Britain flight Lancaster that has only a certain number of flying hours left on its airframe). Lets hope that the parts can be made and financed so that we can see them again and they don't end up as museum pieces.

Was about what I was told by someone who should know when I asked them why they had no big cats to play with over a bottle of Saumur a couple of weeks back.