GrumpyGramps,
Saving face was the same reason the 'scrap' hastings was recovered from Egypt or the 'cat 4 or 5' Victor 1 was recovered from Butterworth.
In the latter case it was grounded and unflyable when the Victor 1 Det handed over to the Vulcan. There had been some problem and they had bodge taped the aircraft seals and left it. Some time later they opened the organ loft and found it full of fungus. A voluteer crew eventually flew it home. No idea if it was converted to a K1.