Any stories on vulcan xl426 crew or ground techs

[vulcanxl426]

Morning all

I am trying to put a book together of the life and times of vulcan xl426 .
So i would be very keen to hear from any crews who flew her with some stories of flying her any out of the blue happend whilst flying her .

Any ground crew or servicng personel who serviced her or overhaul anything out of the blue happen not expected .

I would be very greatfull for any help you can give me either by posting on here or by pm il leave that to you .

Thanks in advance for your help vulcan xl426

[spectre150]

The Pprune spelling police are going to love this :ok:

[C130 Techie]

XL426 was the last Vulcan to undergo Major Servicing at RAF St Athan in 1981. I was a young Jnr Tech on the team that carried out the servicing. The pictures below show the finished product. (I do have the full picture with the Sqn personnel and the Captain who flew the aircraft out but it is A3 and my home scanner is A4. I will take it to work tomorrow and try and get the whole picture scanned).

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/lloydr/scan0005-1-1.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/lloydr/scan0001-1.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/lloydr/scan0004.jpg

[vulcanxl426]

That is amazing i am a member of the restoration trust team who keep her in a ground taxiable condition at southend airport essex .

There is pencil messages in the bomb bay (ie) st athan damages your health public health warning . Also could you ask the red cross to drop off some food parcels please . which are still there and will stay there as this is her history and everytime i read them i have a giggle to myself . many many thanks for the pics again . Have a look at our website www.avrovulcan.com (http://www.avrovulcan.com)

vulcan xl426

[stbd beam]

I'm in constant touch with Tony Blackman, the chief test pilot at Avro's during the Vulcan's time and author of several books on the subject. He might have something to add - PM me...

[C130 Techie]

XL426

Please let me know if you can make use of the pictures. I will try and get the black an white one scanned tomorrow as it's A3 and at present you can only see half of the picture.

I have some great memories of 3 Sqn, Vulcan Major Servicing, St Athan where I spent my first 3 years out of training (XL392 was my first 'live' aircraft). Unfortunately time is taking it's toll on the memory and the detail is fading.

[RetiredSHRigger]

C130
I was on the missing part of the Sqn Photo as a JT Rigger on the Flying Controls Team but applied for Chinooks and was off like a shot.:ok:

[C130 Techie]

I'm back row 4 to the right of the Nose Leg

[vulcanxl426]

Yes these photos will be a help to me and would be really greatfull for any information on 426.

Also il speak to my team about the cheif test pilot and let you know and if i need some information il know were to come thanks again to you all

[peppermint_jam]

One of Tony Blackburn's books on the subject can be seen here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vulcan-Test-Pilot-Experiences-Cockpit/dp/1904943888/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1297844330&sr=8-2) and is a very good read!

Not that you'd ever be short of people to taxy her, but he might be a very useful contact to have!

[Evanelpus]

Think XL426 was one of the last Vulcans to receive the Bitteswell treatment.

If so, look on the back of the recuperator bay panels and you will find a special message from me and the boys.

[vulcanxl426]

Thanks evanelpus im gonna be working on 426 this weekend so il have a look also if i can il take a pic and put it on here thanks again xl426vulcan

[C130 Techie]

The complete picture of the handover of XL426 post it's final Major.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/lloydr/Picture001.jpg

[ArthurR]

XL426, I worked on her many times at Scampton (617 sqn), but can't remember anything memorable about her, now if you wrote a book on XL444, that would be a different story....




Known as trouble 4

[peppermint_jam]

Seem to remember reading somewhere that 444 was affectionately referred to as 'trembling whore' too!