I agree it's a shame to see this magnificent bird deteriorate, but on the other hand Duxford already has more large airframes than they can easily keep maintained, and nicely restored aircraft go back out on the ramp, gradually deteriorate and need repainting again. The revised super hangar already appears to be fully subscribed...
There is a 707 preserved at Cosford (and an ex-BOAC machine at that), so it seems to me that there would be little prospect of getting 123 preserved in the UK.
Sorry to be down on this, but sadly I think we have to be realistic...
On the other hand, now that Branson's got his licence (I assume, else how is he going to be backup pilot for Global Virgin or whatever it's called), wouldn't he like a nice vintage jetliner to ferry his mates about in, a la Travolta... Even if he painted it in Virgin house colours (preferably the old ones)...
