XH558 outside again!

[Lancasterman]

Looks like en gine runs and tests are underway with the final tweaking of number three being completed. Hopefully a fast taxi is on the cards soon!:)

[The Helpful Stacker]

I do hope that doubting chap has his rose ready and gets his bottom waxed.

[BEagle]

You mean Tombstone....

Who, at 2308 on 7 Aug 2006, unwisely posted:

"I will walk around every into each Sqn crewroom at Marham, naked with a rose between my arse cheeks, singing a song of your choice if the Vulcan ever flies again."

See: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2764258&postcount=285

Not long now, eh Tombstone?

[The Helpful Stacker]

Thats the chap.:ok:

[High_lander]

:uhoh::uhoh::uhoh:

uh oh!

Could be awfully painful.

Perhaps a flyover as he starts his walk around would be suitable?:}

[Gainesy]

Well, InterFlora are on standby, (no thornless please, he has an allergy:E), but what is our song of choice?

[diginagain]

How about the one that starts "100,000 green bottles, standing on the wall"

[Tombstone]

Any chance of a delay until summer?

As one looks out of the window, one wonders just how small one's :mad: will look in the current climate...:{

Could be worse, I could be at Lossie. :sad:

[Airborne Aircrew]

Could be worse, I could be at Lossie.

That's the spirit... Stiff upper lip and all that... :D :D :D

[diginagain]

A good coating of Ralgex should keep you moving, Tombstone.

Or you could try Tiger Balm.

:ok:

PS. Try not to get too worked up about the rose. You're bound to feel a little p:mad:

[FATTER GATOR]

Use Sudocrem afterwards, does wonders for the inevitable chafing. As for your singing voice; I keep trying to tell the Mrs what the best tonic for that is....:yuk:

I'll get my coat.

[Archimedes]

Did Tombstone specify whether the rose in question was of the floral variety or made by Cadburys?

If the latter, which one? Country Fudge? Brazilian darkness?

[Double Zero]

With reference to the VULCAN, how about " Star Trekking " ?

The rose should handle any Kling-ons ( sorry I'll get me coat ).

[Green Flash]

Dunno about the tune but try here (http://www.rosebuddies.com/list.html) for the rose! :ok:

[The Helpful Stacker]

This (http://www.goldcoastrose.org/shared/tombstone.htm) should do. I'm sure he is man enough to lift it.;)

[Green Flash]

As long as it's bedded in well rotted compost and frequently watered, it shoud be fine. Might need pruning(!) and Tombstone should allways be on the lookout for greenfly, of course. Looks quite a bush .....

[VivaTheBeaver]

From the renowned - Leicester Mercury.....
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132384&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232710&home=yes&more_nodeId1=132393&contentPK=18509314
NEW BLOW TO VULCAN FLIGHT
10:30 - 27 September 2007
The first flight of a restored Cold War Vulcan bomber has been hit by a further setback.
A key component failed during engine testing at Bruntingthorpe proving ground airfield.
Members of the team behind the £5.5million project to get the XH558 airborne had hoped to get the delta wing giant flying by now.
A spokesman for the Vulcan to the Sky Trust said: "When a part fails on the project, it must be sent back to the original manufacturer for repair.
"These delays are common in engineering projects."
It is hoped the component will be back on site for a first flight next month.
Before the aircraft can fly, it needs clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority.

[flipflopman RB199]

Nope,

Get your roses back out!! :E

That's actually quite an old story they've picked up on, and refers beck to the blown Hyd pipe which we had to drop the #3 engine for. All refitted, functionally tested and serviceable now :ok:

Sorry Tombstone!!


Flipflopman

[Wycombe]

Just watched her being pushed out again this morning on the Vulcams :ok:

Surely it can't be long now?

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Near as dammit, 99 ft 11 in!

[Flying Signman]

Smiler reckoned on at least 500 jobcards to be signed off before the Airframe is even considered by the CAA as "airworthy", which also might prevent fast taxi runs till mid next week.

But then....it's update day today on the site, so lets all hope for some good news later.

Surely in the next few weeks........:)

[South Bound]

All

I genuinely applaud your ongoing interest, commitment and enthusiasm in this programme. No matter that I personally think it is barking, I cannot help but be impressed that it has not died a death. Well done to you all.

SB

[Flipper_T_Rox]

"I see the hangar doors have been shut whilst the aircraft is outside, this is a new one"

That's not at all unusual. Whenever she's been out to the engine testing pad the doors have been shut, only being opened again five or ten minutes before she returns.

The only times I can remember the doors remaining open when she was not in the hangar are when she was immediately outside being fuelled or defulled.

I can't imagine it is easy heating the hangar, especially with winter fast approaching. It would make no sense to leave the doors wide open.

Flip

[Flying Signman]

"No matter that I personally think it is barking"

South Bound,

Care to expand why you think that?

[Rocket2]

Flipper - I stand corrected & have deleted the message - whilst I watch the web site daily I had never noticed the doors being shut before while she was outside.
Cheers
R2

[WASALOADIE]

Flew over Bruntingthorpe earlier today and she was being towed out. A great sight to see, she looks good from above.

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Quote from wasaloadieski
Flew over Bruntingthorpe earlier today and she was being towed out.
You weren't in a Bear by any chance? Did you have your Zenit camera with you?:ooh:
Be lucky
David

[talk_shy_tall_knight]

I notice that just prior to the door's closing, one of the techies left half a pasty next to the 'extra large' spanner drawer. He's never done that before. Thoughts anyone?

[Flying Signman]

Yeah, that reminds me to have something to eat....it's Lunchtime!:)

Your monitor must be BIG to see that!

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

talk_shy_tall_knight. I hope it was a pasty and not a clanger. Something we don't want dropped anywhere near that wonderful aeroplane.

[320psi]

Hi all, as we have been spending the last couple of days up there painting the QRA shed, I took a few breaks and took these shots of 558, she certainly is coming alive, very nice, well done all of the crew

9am
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/DSC00277.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/DSC00283.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010034-2.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010037-1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010038.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010039.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010043-1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010047-4.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010064-1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010057-1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010055-1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010064-1.jpg
Thanks again to the lads that were doing their 'stuff' on her today and for making me welcome

[Green Flash]

I'm a million miles from the old girl at the moment but Bl00dy Hell she looks good! Almost got goose bumps. She can't fail now - she MUST NOT! Wow. Stay with it folks, your efforts will not be in vain!:ok:

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

This is blatant petty carping but I realy wish that those RWR fairings on the fin tip could be gashed. The assassinated XM603 would make a valuable contribution there and almost go some way towards mitigating a gross act of vandalism (thank you BAES).



http://www.edendale.co.uk/ANW/imagesSLICES/852.33_03.jpg

That's what a Vulcan looks like!

[The Helpful Stacker]

Great photos although I think the 5th from last one is a little sad, Buccaneer with its wings clipped looking on.

[Rakshasa]

Heck! All they're missing is a Vic, a Wessex and a Canberra and it'd almost be my spacey days all over again!

[forget]

I really wish that those RWR fairings on the fin tip could be gashed.

GBZ, Agreed. Spoils the whole back end. And while they're at it --- a proper paint job. ;) Apart from that - well done guys :D:D:D

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/610_darwin.jpg
RAAF Darwin. 1968/69.

[Gainesy]

Just wondering, if they can tow it with that li'l yellow tractor, why did the RAF need fleets of those bloody massive Antar(?) tugs?:confused:

[forget]

I doubt if that li'l yellow tractor would cope with full fuel, 21,000lbs of bombs, and six inches of snow.

PS. Built by Sentinel, apparently. And a posh one with a cab. Must've been Transport Command.:)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/60AN59.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/04205.jpg

PPS. I was curious to know where the lower photograph was taken. See The Old Bell pub? It's still there, Fleet Street. :ok:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/6d4221099710468641a005a7d5428266.jpg

[flipflopman RB199]

Later on that day, XH558 was actually towed back from the running pan with a 1965 vintage, Ford County Super 5 agricultural tractor, when the Aircraft Tug went U/S!!! :ok:


Flipflopman

[SirPeterHardingsLovechild]

Isn't the orange one a 'Douglas'?

The type I used to wheelie all the way from MT to 13 (PR) Sqn dispersal at Wyton every Monday morning. Hit a matchstick and still be bouncing for another 100yds. Oh boy, if we'd have had speed bumps in those days.

[windriver]

http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/vulc.jpg

The Avro Vulcan, the world's first 4-jet delta bomber, has entered the Royal Air Force for full squadron service. Behind the recent Air Ministry announcement lies a brilliant chapter of aeronautical progress that marks the beginning of a new era in Britain's air power. With its near sonic speed, its great range and altitude and its large carrying capacity, the Vulcan can deliver a bigger bomb load faster, higher and further than any other aircraft. Add to this its fighter-like manoeuvrability, exceptional safety and pleasant handling characteristics and you have the reasons why the Vulcan is the most effective bomber in service today.

But that's not all, the Vulcan has a great development potential it has been engineered to allow for new operational requirements which ca n be met without major alteration to the basic design. In the tough testing ground of the R.A.F. on routine exercises and on long-range training flights: the Vulcan is already showing its paces.

Like its illustrious predecessors from the Avro stable - the Lincoln , the Lancaster, the Anson, the 504 and many others - the Vulcan is destined to become one of the world's really great aircraft.

http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/aviation/airfields/acads/1957/AvroVulcan.html

[modelman]

I was was at Hus Bos yesterday and could hear some jet engine(s) being run up from the general direction of Brunt (wind was from north so it probably carried the sound a bit)
Was it the Vulcan?
MM

[RichieD]

"Great photos although I think the 5th from last one is a little sad, Buccaneer with its wings clipped looking on."

Buccaneer? := ... Lightning surely?

[The Real Slim Shady]

Does anyone have a feel for the requirements / qualifications the CAA will lay down for the crew who fly it?

Are they likely to insist that they are in current flying practice, ATPL etc with an airline and have previously flown the Vulcan?

[Al R]

See? Engineers can look smart. :D


http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/vulc.jpg

[insty66]

That's not an engineer!

It's some sod with a clipboard skiving off

[flipflopman RB199]

Real Slim Shady,

All in place, my friend.

Do you still seriously think that this would be an oversight, or that the CAA has not been working hand in hand with the Vulcan Operating Company for the last few years???

The crew have been in place for many years now, and more than meet the CAA requirements. As an example Martin Withers, he of Black Buck 1 fame, had to go and privately pass his PPL, in order to be eligible to fly the Vulcan. This is despite the fact that he is a current 767 pilot for Zoom Airlines, notwithstanding his RAF track record.

modelman,

No, it was not the Vulcan, but may have been one of the many other aircraft currently at Bruntingthorpe.


Flipflopman

[Al R]

Insty said:

That's not an engineer!

It's some sod with a clipboard skiving off


:E

He's still in RAF uniform.. and he's still looking smart. Out of small acorns..

[insty66]

To look smart you need a smart uniform!

To drift back on thread............

I can't wait!

[The Helpful Stacker]

Buccaneer? ... Lightning surely?

No, Buccaneer. As in the one in this picture to the left of the Vulcan, clicky (http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a273/320psi/P1010047-4.jpg)

I know my aircraft and that is definitely a BANA jet.:ok:

[BEagle]

flipflopman RB199, it wasn't Martin Withers, it was one of the other pilots.

How do I know? I did his PPL Skill Test.

I presume the pilots will either be given an ANO waiver "Licence privileges are extended to include operating as Pilot in Command or Co-Pilot of Vulcan aeroplane XH558 in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Aircraft Operators Certificate and the Permit to Fly whilst the licence does not include a Type Rating" or something similar?

Good to see that old advert! But weren't the oily-fingered ones termed 'technicians' in those days, rather than 'engineers'?

[Al R]

Insty said:


To look smart you need a smart uniform!

To drift back on thread............

I can't wait!


I liked the old battle dress, ok, I never had to wear it, but it looked smart and to an extent, you're right.. but I've worked with blokes who could make themselves look smart dressed in old sandbags. Being taught how to use an iron and press a uniform would be a start for 3 of the lads I saw in Cottesmore village the other day at the chippy. At first glance, I thought they were space cadets, but they were airmen.. who allows them to attend work like that?

CS 95 is badly tailored, which doesn't help and cobbled together in some Euro sweat shop so it falls to pieces (well, it did a few years back). It is a compromise,, it has to allow a certain commodious space in the seat to allow for the female form, and the legs are all wrong on it. I appreciate it needs to be substance over style, but its not very practical either.

The Americans have a bizarre attitude to uniform, each of the current arms has its own design, I couldn't find a reference for the Navy one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MARPAT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airman_Battle_Uniform
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Combat_Uniform

Back on topic, neither can I. :E

[South Bound]

Flying Signman

just a personal opinion that I think all the effort and money to get the thing flying is barking - we are still allowed opinions! Please don't detract from the spirit of my positive message.

I will take my hat off to all who have contributed in whatever way, even if only through support on here, when it gets into the air!

I am amazed at the human spirit that enables something like this to continue.

Regards to all and good luck

SB

[Blacksheep]

Standard winter uniform for Vulcan Line Maintenance personnel was scuffed "Troglodite" boots, sea boot socks rolled down over the boot tops, battledress trousers tucked into the sea boot socks, RAF issue shirt with your own choice of jersey, in cold weather add a cast-off aircrew beaver-tail parka liberally patched with black bodge tape and the tail hanging down in the trail, a woolly balaclava (usually knitted by your Grandma) finished off with a football scarf in the colours of your chosen team.

SNCOs wore the standard Technical Branch SNCO's uniform of battledress, brown dustcoat and "fly-away" beret with the surplus adjusting tape hanging out of the back. When working outside, add Trog boots a cast-off beaver tail parka and a well thumbed dog-eared copy of the Vol One. One was led to believe that a true blue time-served Chiefy was required to wear his brown dustcoat over his pyjamas at night. Crew Chiefs slept with their aircraft. Naturally.

[Al R]

Blacksheep,

I enjoyed that! Its the little details that are so important and that so many photos fail to convey and that time eventually passes over.

I do actually remember an old ex V Force CT turning up for one to one SMG training with a knitted scarf. Now, I applaud it as a gesture of tribal identity and pride as much as anything.. then, I was freshly promoted don't forget. :}

[forget]

Blacksheep's right on with his description of 'uniform'. Keep 'em 'S' and no one minded - at all! My last four years on the line, Cottesmore and Waddington, I had the luxury of wearing (acquired) aircrew thick cotton shirts, collar attached, a rather nice thick knitted tie with a squared off end, and a 'proper' King's cap badge - uncle Arthur's I think, from his time sitting on top of Lancasters.

I've posted this before, but overseas Khaki Drill uniform was no better. See Chiefy on the right. His almost white KD says he's 'been around'. The Australian bush hat, second left back row, I think is still upstairs.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/KD.jpg

[Al R]

Aaah, the old sweat KD shirts. They changed the collars in 84 or so, and the pockets too and because the new ones were crap, everyone would go to the surplus place in Limassol harbour to get the gear which had been already thrown out, and wear that :O. The shop keeper would wonder what the hell was going on.. all these Brits, coming in to pay for uniform which had been thrown out. Recycling ahead of its time.

OG trousers too, suffered a similar affection.. and don't get me started about the merits of a decently worn in set of lightweight DPM. Aircrew socks were the dogs knob.

What does 'S' mean? As long as they were kept on the sqn and out of sight and no one took the piss by going in them to SHQ?

[forget]

'S' = Serviceable. Scratched on the Line Status Board with a half inch thick chinagraph. Preferably by Flt Sgt Godfrey. I've never met anyone who enjoyed his job so much. Top man. :ok:

[Al R]

Gotcha, cheers. :ok:

[Wader2]

CS 95 is badly tailored, which doesn't help

Serious thread drift I know but when we were first issued with the Mk 2 Zuit suit jacket and trousers it was the norm to get them tailored to fit and the AVS slot in the trousers sewn up.

In those days officers had to go to a military tailor for any uniform items. As we were in the habit of actually spending money on the uniform we would dress smartly.

IMHO the rot set in when we started to get free issues of each new uniform as it came in. A new shirt, a new woolly pully, DMS shoes etc. Once we got in the habit of not paying so everything became cheap and nasty.

Still I hope the Vulcan stiffens a few backs.

[BEagle]

I still reckon that the Mk2 'zoot suit' (sadly just before my time) was one of the best and potentially smartest uniforms aircrew officers ever had.

Whereas that god-awful Thunderbird jacket and any variety of the stupid woolly pully thing.....:yuk:

[Green Flash]

Are there any plans to have the ground crews in 'period costume' or will the dead hand of H&S have everybody trussed up in dayglo everything?

[Al R]

Good idea, add some realism :D. After reading forget's post.. here's one I dug from archives.

http://www.scotsindependent.org/2005/050304/steptoe%20and%20son.jpg

[forget]

Thems not us! Thems aircrew. :)

[Al R]

Indeed. :D

[LowObservable]

forget

How'd they get all those blokes in one Vulcan?

and in general

Stay off that aviation ad site. It's addictive...

http://content-delivery.co.uk/aviation/airfields/acads/1941/YFronts.html

[forget]

See - :) Defenders of this royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars ........ against the Red Hordes from the East. Worked. :ok:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/Untitled-2-11.jpg

[Gainesy]

Wot? No Bondu boots? Must be on det.

[Green Flash]

Good idea, add some realism . After reading forget's post.. here's one I dug from archives

Ah, No1 HD!:}

[Wader2]

Ah, the easy fit panel for the HP Airs. :}