Just to develop the idea a bit further, what are the problems in actually running up some of the aircraft currently at Duxford. For example it would be nice to hear the 4 Darts on the Viscount at take-off power now that none are flying in the UK. Better still I'd pay some money to be taxiied up the runway and back as indeed many enthusiasts would. It would of course give the CAA palpitations but would it be an insuperable maintenance task?
I know Brooklands have run up the Vanguard and Air Atlantique run the Shackleton so it can't be impossible. I just think doing this kind of thing plus getting fuel companies (?) to sponsor this kind of activity would be better than letting the airframes just gently decay. (I have my Kate Adie flameproof jacket to hand)