This is not a gang of well-meaning enthusiasts patching up an old aeroplane to get it flying again
Despite my own jaundiced Maintenance Manager's view of the costs of heavy maintenance, aging aircraft programmes and supply chain difficulties, my own "doom and gloom" view isn't simply based upon the cost of getting the aircraft airworthy. A grant from the lottery and a very generous gift from a wealthy benefactor have kept the restoration moving. But what next?
Having got it flying again, keeping it airborne becomes a straight forward commercial business. People must pay money to see it fly.
Is the potential market large enough to support such a business? What did the market research say? As "due diligence" requires, market research was presumably done prior to signing the contracts with Marshalls and commencing work, but so far we have heard only about the engineering side of things and nothing on the project's long term viability. The Vulcan is certainly an impressive sight and sound in the air, but is it so impressive that sufficient air show organisers will pay a premium rate to cover the cost of having it fly at their show? I doubt if either the BBMF or the Red Arrows could continue in operation if they weren't RAF units and were obliged to earn sufficient income to directly and fully support their operations.
About the only significant threat to the programme is from the purveyors of doom who have little idea of the whole project.
Enthusiastic supporters and wealthy benefactors have dug deep into their pockets to fund the restoration. Will they also be expected to keep XH558 airborne too? If so, it isn't a professionally administered commercial organization at all, but simply a
"gang of well-meaning enthusiasts" getting people to dig into their pockets to realize their own personal dream.
I'll dig into my pocket and even my own spare time to support a worthy restoration project, but all my cash and effort is reserved for such deserving organizations as the De Havilland Heritage Trust. (As a Hatfield council tax payer I'm biased of course) I'm perfectly happy to see a Wooden Wonder in perfect condition and even capable of being retored to airworthiness, but its far too valuable an historical artifact to risk putting it into the air.