Just a note on the 'rain hat'. It is not of course a new toy. The Vulcan came with the full range of ground protective covers and these were all on the aircraft inventory.
Intake blanks, tail pipe covers, all the usual covers for pitot/static, wheel covers and even a sleeve (possibly home made) for the AAR probe. However the size of the aircraft meant that all these extras were also on the large side.
By 1964 it was usual for aircraft to sit on the line without their engine covers and no canopy cover. After all, if it could sit on QRA for a month why did it need a cover. The canopy, unlike fighter aircraft, was not opened on a daily basis and the inflated canopy seals usually kept the cockpit dry. Occasionally a seal would fail and there would be water on the side consoles.
We flew overseas with blanks to places like El Adem but even that stopped. I don't know if there had been a study that showed they were unnecessary given the height of the intakes or the sheer inconvenience was the determining factor.
I know that when we delivered aircraft back to the factory they got might p1ssed off as we didn't bring all the covers.
Now however, as one of a kind, I guess they do wrap her in blankets.