Vulcans farewell flights this weekend, route is on line.

[NutLoose]

They are on line, routes are up, but times not showing yet, there is a free phone app "XH558" that will also give you times and updates during the flight, both and details including route maps here.


Vulcan To The Sky - Latest on National Tour (http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/710/82/Latest-on-National-Tour.html)

About the last ever chance to see it fly, it has one, possible two flights after that and then it's done.

[BEagle]

PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL TO DONCASTER.

Sage advice indeed! And not just for those rubbernecking at Robindoncastermaidmarianfinningleyhood International either!

Are we reliant on kiddyphone 'apps' and tw@tter, or will the VTTS website actually have some ETAs for once?

I'm due to have my own personal flypast, according to the map for Sunday!

[NutLoose]

They normally post up the times closer to the day, the last tour had a full timed itinerary.

They heard they were visiting you and are bombing up now ;)

[BEagle]

Withers has already proved that he couldn't hit a cow's ar$e with a banjo - or rather, a runway with 21 x 1000 lb bombs, so no worries!

PS - only joking, Martin! And I know that you can always blame the Nav Rad for missing, we always did! ;)

[CoffmanStarter]

Coffman Towers is ideally located on high ground to observe the most Southerly (Lat) waypoint plotted for Sunday. Just need the Met people to sort the Wx ...

[Just This Once...]

Look like they are planing 2 attempts on the Palace of JTO, so reasonably confident they will make it by the 2nd attempt.

:ok:

[MATELO]

Hopefully I will get to see her over Newcastle before I head off to the Rugby at St James Park.

[langleybaston]

Coffman Towers is ideally located on high ground to observe the most Southerly (Lat) waypoint plotted for Sunday. Just need the Met people to sort the Wx

Enlightened self-interest means that I will strain every sinew, such as are left.

Now, where did I put the box of tricks? Balls, crystal one;
weed, sea, slack handful;
cones, pine, one;
runes, mystic, set, one;
skin, thick, forecaster for use of .... ............

Yes, all present and correct

[CoffmanStarter]

Thanks Langley :D

The thing is (but don't tell him), BEagle almost got the most Southerly WP spot on when he mocked up this pic during a bit of good spirited Banter back in April 2013 ... He clearly has mystical talents ;)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/flypast_zps35aa150c.jpg

Best ...

Coff.

[Pontius Navigator]

Coff, that would do it for me.

We saw the Vulcan last weekend but as BEagle suggested, their navigation was off and they were half a mile out. Their Spitfire escort should have nudged them over a bit. Still the Lancaster s were spot on last year even if one almost collected our neighbours TV aerial

[MPN11]

I suppose it was a bit much to expect The Channel Islands to be included. :(

[Simplythebeast]

Would have thought a Luftwaffe flypast might be more appropriate for the Channel Islands....😀

[Shadowcaptain]

I see Eshott is actually listed on the route. I'm usually up there doing circuits at the weekend, I'll probably head up that way to see it although not flying myself this weekend sadly. I hope she gives the farmers something to think about, they love to complain about the noise.

[wub]

Could they not have extended the East Fortune/Dalkeith/Carlisle leg by a couple of minutes to take in Edinburgh? In all the time the Vulcan has been back in the air I've never seen it, since East Fortune isn't the easiest place to get to.

[NutLoose]

Wub ask them, such a large metropolis it does seem odd it's not getting a visit, the website says

Please be aware that due to various permissions and agreements, the routes vary from those originally published over 10 days ago. We have also listened to public opinion to arrive at what we believe will be the best possible solution in light of all the restrictions placed upon us in operating XH558.

Although flight paths may vary once announced and XH558 is airborne, the turning points we reveal will be our intended destinations given favourable weather conditions.

If you don't try, you don't get.

[Wander00]

I know I have cribbed about the Vulcan and its effect on the aircraft preservation movement as a whole, but this weekend we are with MiniW in Kendal - we shall probably find somewhere where we can see it fly down Lake Windemere, with misty eyes like everyone else. Even SWMBO (and who does not like watching aeroplanes) is coming too

[Chris Scott]

Excuse the intrusion and thread drift but - re the plea from wub about extending from East Fortune to Dalkeith to Edinburgh - it seems a pity also to miss Glasgow. And a circle over the Forth Bridges would be great PR. Is fuel a big issue on this occasion?

Having lived abroad, my first-ever sighting of a Vulcan was from above, as one slid north-westwards across Fife in 1966/7. I was flying at about 2000 ft...

[wub]

Thanks Nutloose, I'll drop them a request and keep my fingers crossed.

[Linedog]

Pity they didn't include the location of design and construction of the Lancaster, Shackleton and Vulcan at Greengate, Chadderton.
Yes final assembly was at Woodford but that was not the birthplace.

[NDW]

Gutted that she won't fly over Norwich this weekend! or anywhere in Norfolk for that matter.......

[CoffmanStarter]

OK ...

I'm sure the Falkland Islanders would love to have had a final Vulcan 'Fly Past' ... but that won't be happening ...

It's Friday ... back of the envelope type stuff ...

It took 11 Victors to get 1 Vulcan to Stanley and back in 82. So I wonder what the Refuelling Plan would look like if the RAF Voyager fleet were tasked to get XH558 (assuming a Black Buck fit) down south and back ?

[Vector 7]

It would be nice to see the Vulcan flypast going North of Edinburgh, up the East Coast of Scotland and round the top of the country and to some of the Northern and Western Dispersal sites too. I'm in Dundee, and would love to see and hear it again, it was large part of my childhood. They never seem to fly North of East Fortune on these routes.

Getting it down to the Falklands would be an 'interesting' challenge. The funding would be the first one :\


(Don't get me started on why don't we keep the Vulcan flying:()

[pasta]

Wouldn't be *that* hard if it was still equipped for in flight refuelling (which seems unlikely) and the aircrew were current (which is obviously not the case). Question is, would landing at Mount Pleasant, and using the Voyager that's normally stationed there, be regarded as cheating?

[barnstormer1968]

Coffmanstarter.

What a wonderful idea.
Your post set my mind wandering into dreams of XH558 as a gate guard at Stanley.

I do realise it wouldn't last long in the open there but then I thought about a 1:1 fibreglass replica.
I'm sure the locals would welcome the idea, even if the not quite so locals got a bit wound up over it :)
I know it's a pipe dream but it did make me smile.

[Tourist]

The locals really don't get quite as excited about Vulcan's contribution as the RAF.

In fact I don't think many would even know what you are talking about.

RN
RM
Paras
Harriers

[NutLoose]

http://youtu.be/63Htlsbmd00

[NutLoose]

Timings are on the maps now.

[Wander00]

NL - no timings on map I am getting on website. What time at Bo'ness on Windemere please


W

[NutLoose]

Says plus 85 mins from take off, was told it would be at East Mids 1500-1530 but they will post a departure time

[sittingstress]

Morning all,

The link has crashed, does anybody know if the Vulcan will be flying near the glorious fenland metropolis that is Peterborough? Obviously a man of my calibre and social standing does not live anywhere near such a place but should I happen to be in the vicinity where might a good viewing point be?

Also my daughter is blind but loved attending airshows with me when she could see. Is the aircraft flying anywhere near Liverpool where she might be able to hear it?

Thanks.

[spekesoftly]

The link seems OK at the moment.

Nearest to Peterborough is probably Rutland Water on Sunday, at about 15 minutes after departure from Donc.

Nearest to Liverpool is probably Barton City Airport, today at about 125 minutes after depature.

[swp53]

Not near Peterborough today and nearest to Liverpool today at 2 hours 10 mins affter takeoff will be a turning point just East of Warrington at the point the ship canal passes under the M6. Tomorrow will be turning point Rutland water at 15 mins after takeoff then passing over Oundle on it's way to North Weald.
Of course we need to know the takeoff time to start with.

[spekesoftly]

a turning point just East of Warrington at the point the ship canal passes under the M6.Yes, should be a good view from the Thelwall Viaduct, but parking on the M6 might be tricky! ;)
Although it's often a multi-lane car park anyway!

[sittingstress]

Thank you for the info.

[MATELO]

Not sure the web site is working.. here is a direct link to google.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zJoGZd3-Qg5U.k9_QAWQWnmes

[dctyke]

Does anyone know approx take off time, site crashing, Google don't say.

[Dan Gerous]

Just seen a take off time of 13.00, on the web for Saturday. No shooting the messenger.

[sadhatmo]

Shame but I'll miss this one last opportunity to see her fly - she had a good run.

[Bernoulli]

Anybody know if XH558 carries ADS-B? Can it's progress be tracked on FlightRadar24, Planefinder etc? I'm at Carlisle vs Morecambe this afternoon and if I can tear my eyes away from the action on the pitch I may be able to get a glimpse of this wonderful machine.

I grew up just south of RAF Spadeadam and they were a feature of my life until I left home in 1981 for the joys of Cranwell and Finningley.

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12115965_938911042855163_7898789078289674904_n.jpg?oh=495b06 93ab8df3e5350c2a66842dda59&oe=568E27EC

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

Vulcan does track on Flight Radar. G-VLCN has worked for me in the past. :ok:

[Bernoulli]

Thanks SWB.

[Wander00]

Now just gone 1200. No updates on FB for an hour, and no timings on the map on the VTTS website. So hope my guesswork on my part, and a timetable on FB then removed will give us a chance of being around Windemere at the right time!

[Speedywheels]

Unfortunately not showing on FR24

[BASys]

Now showing on
http://www.flightradar24.com/VLCN/7a9ca21
or
https://planefinder.net/flight/VLCN

[FantomZorbin]

Nothing on either of the above ...:{

[dragartist]

FR 24 is showing it over Woodford at 13.20 ish on the Northern route


Looks Like I shall be at Grafham Water tomorrow.


I noted last week did several circuits of Rutland Water with chase plane in formation. looking forward to seeing the pics.

[Old and Horrified]

Just watched it going over Ironbridge!

[SATCOS WHIPPING BOY]

Showing as overhead Derby on Planefinder but not showing at all on flightradar24.

[Take That]

Waving and flag flying as it passed over Azerley at 1327. Thanks Bill and crew!

[spekesoftly]

Superb timing and navigation! Just back from a short trip to Snugburys where the Vulcan crossed the A51 on track and on time at 15:24 local.

[ETOPS]

Was at the Woodford airfield site just now - huge crowds and a very dignified flypast.

The 5 seconds of near full power with accompanying "sound of freedom" will be remembered for a long time...........

[CoffmanStarter]

For tomorrow ... The XH558 Twitter feed might be a good 'Plan B' in terms of receiving Track Updates if other Web Tracking Apps fall over ...

https://twitter.com/XH558

[dctyke]

Nice view near breighton, just the four of us in a field watching as it did a 360 around the airfield perimeter, lovely.

[NutLoose]

Tens of thousands around EGNX, roads blocked with abandoned cars, jets holding for it, Vulcan hoves into view in far distance, banks left and disappears leaving thousands of disappointed people, just as well it's grounded at the end of the season as a lot of donators appeared to be saying never again.. Total no show.

[Archimedes]

Tens of thousands around EGNX, roads blocked with abandoned cars, jets holding for it, Vulcan hoves into view in far distance, banks left and disappears leaving thousands of disappointed people, just as well it's grounded at the end of the season as a lot of donators appeared to be saying never again.. Total no show.

Twitter feed suggests 'Looks like departing traffic prevented approach to East Mids...'

[nacluv]

Missed it, as it traversed north of Derby over half an hour ahead of the posted transit times... :*

[Herod]

Has anyone got a departure time for tomorrow? I can't seem to find it anywhere, and knowing that it will transit North Weald at +25 is not a lot of help.

[spekesoftly]

From what I can gather, tomorrow's departure time won't be released until after crew briefing on the day, but they hope to give at least two hours notice of ETD.

[JointShiteFighter]

As we get closer and closer to the 31st, I am beginning to get more bitter towards the technical authorities. Bolleaux to them, this isn't about capability, it's about politics and power.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Watched it near Woodford today. I presume the fuel consumption at low level is pretty horrendous, and doesn't allow it to be stood on its tail to shake the earth at each location. How tight would it be on fuel endurance on a flight like today's?

[NutLoose]

Twitter feed suggests 'Looks like departing traffic prevented approach to East Mids...'

That's a load of bollards, there was a Jet 2 holding and continued to for over 5 mins after it bogged off. The other jets had left before it ever appeared.

[kaitakbowler]

I was at Woodford today, (well Adlington golf centre) one short 4-5 sec burst of something approaching full power and two tame orbits left everyone I spoke too feeling let down. Not even close to the last Woodford visit.

Poor show.

Anyone know who the crew were?

PM

[Wander00]

Don't think anyone will tell you after that comment

[Pontius Navigator]

Just seen a picture of 558 at Woodford. So clear it could have been a model against a backdrop.

[salad-dodger]

What are you on about JSF
31st, I am beginning to get more bitter towards the technical authorities. Bolleaux to them, this isn't about capability, it's about politics and power
You clearly haven't got a clue. Dry your eyes and grow up.

S-D

[JointShiteFighter]

S-D,

I, along with many others, feel affection for this aircraft, other airframes of her Type, her crews and the role she played. The V-Force contributed to allowing you to have the freedom to be abrasive and obnoxious!

[ShotOne]

That's not a reasonable position, JSF. The technical position has been thoroughly explained elsewhere and isnt down to "politics and power"

[Tashengurt]

Happy to see it fly over Newcastle although we didn't manage to get into position to really appreciate its size and planform.
First and last glimpse for my lads which is a shame. I'd have loved them to have seen a full display.

[Biggus]

Any confirmation of today's take off time yet?

[barnstormer1968]

Biggus
I thought it was planned for 13.00 like yesterday. That's not cast iron, but the website did say both days flights were in the afternoon.
Luckily I don't need to leave home until after take off.

[1in1]

Best guess is 13:00 based on yesterday but I feel sorry for folk planning a journey to get a sighting as the updates on the site are pretty dire and the site failed yesterday when it got swamped by requests. Could do better.

[FantomZorbin]

ETD confirmed as 13:00 Local 20mins ago

[nacluv]

They're diverting over EMA today apparently, to make up for yesterday's disappointment there.

[Al R]

She flies overhead, regularly, so I wasn't going to make a trip out. But given she's going to be over Rutland Water in about half and hour, I can't resist it.

[CoffmanStarter]

Track WP Times ...

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/CRCDJ5uWIAEePLA.jpg-large_zpsrglx0b2r.jpeg

From https://twitter.com/XH558

[Always a Sapper]

Funny old thing, the gardens going to get a good doing over this afternoon. That it's just down the road from Brize back gate has nothing to do with it... :rolleyes:

[SilsoeSid]

https://www.facebook.com/VulcanXH558/timeline/?ref=name
Please note: today is not the planned final flight.

Do we know when that flight will actually be?

[CoffmanStarter]

Airborne 13:00 Local. Currently visible on FlightRadar24

Improved latency from PlaneFinder ...

https://planefinder.net

[Union Jack]

Try Flightradar24.com - Live flight tracker! (http://www.flightradar24.com/7abda65) - "No callsign".

Flying at c1000 feet and 200 knots heading towards Kent.....

Jack

[salad-dodger]

JSF

Fully understand your affection, however, if you had read anything on the Vulcan ending flying, and understood what it meant, then you would know that it is not about politics and power. It is about a tired old aircraft that no longer has the support of the Design Organisations - essential to be allowed to continue flying. The reasons for the Design Organisations positions have been made very clear and discussed at length on this forum.
The V-Force contributed to allowing you to have the freedom to be abrasive and obnoxious!
As for that last bit of your post, pathetic.

Hope the weather has been as good as it has been over Cambridgeshire for today's flight.

S-D

[Flying Wild]

That's a load of bollards, there was a Jet 2 holding and continued to for over 5 mins after it bogged off. The other jets had left before it ever appeared.

I was travelling on that aircraft and we were told that Vulcan was heading back to Doncaster due to it's fuel state. Fair one really as EMA was the last point on yesterdays trip. Gutted I can't be there today.

[CoffmanStarter]

Well I got a pic of sorts ... Wellshurst Golf Club (Southern most WP) 14:01 Local.

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/IMG_0002_zps8b6xzyy8.jpg

Image Credit : Self

[Stitchbitch]

Just approaching Brizzol...14:40, hope to catch her at East Mids after yesterday's stealth fly past of Derbvegas. :ok:

[Union Jack]

Just sighted from a hilltop just south of Bath, very much the same aspect as in Coff's photo - now if only our friends, the S****s had asked to lunch, we would have had a ringside seat!:ok:

Farewell, My Lovely......:sad::sad:

Jack

[rhoose]

Goodbye Vulcan....from St.Athan Camp. :(

[dragartist]

So Dragartist, No 1 Son and No2 daughter head off to Grafham. Car park brimming. We make our way to the vantage point. It turned into a bit of an impromptu reunion with colleagues from years past. I took a few pics on my Kodak instamatic not worthy of posting. but the memories will live on for a while. I did not imagine this machine would have such a national following. I hope they can put her safely to bed and wrapped up in the warm and dry for all to see in the years to come. Well done to all those involved in showing her off this past few weeks.

[BEagle]

....although I only heard the sound and caught a fleeting glimpse of a wing tip as '558 departed to the east about 20 min ahead of the original TOT here. :( I'd just got off the phone and was walking to the Stanton Harcourt Road bridge over the A40, so that's the only glimpse I managed.

Judging by the number of people standing on the bridge, people from all walks of life came to see the Farewell Tour here in British West Oxfordshire - '558 has a LOT of followers!

[OldNavigator]

Great sight and sound- a couple of minutes early but the approx 2000 watching greatly enjoyed it. Shame it is for the last time!!

[SilsoeSid]

XH 558 - Wellsbourne @ 15:45
Unfortunately road works on the way only allowed me the view as CoffmanStarter's photo :(

Next time :ok:

[Wander00]

Good job it is not a war mission - 15 minutes early at Wellesbourne (OK, hat, coat)

[snippy]

Over the big base in Oxon 20 minutes ago.............

Followed by a C130J landing with an engine shut down.....is that a crazy metaphor for the state of today's Air Force?:ugh:

[Biggus]

A post full of thank yous!!


First of all thank you for everyone who answered my query about the take off time today.

I was at North Weald this afternoon, along with at least another 1,000 car loads of people, to watch the fly past. We weren't disappointed!! If any of the crew read this, or anyone who can pass a message on to them, many thanks for their efforts today - it was greatly appreciated by everyone there, young and old.

Secondly a big thank you to North Weald airport. Plenty of marshallers on site to direct traffic, good car parking arrangements, and all free of charge!

[Sky Sports]

A bit gutted they missed Oundle by a good 5 miles! :(

[Ken Scott]

Followed by a C130J landing with an engine shut down.....is that a crazy metaphor for the state of today's Air Force?


No. That was a training sortie doing a practice asymmetric landing. Normal stuff. No metaphor.

[bridgets boy]

1435 or so At Old Sarum. Old Sarum Castle was heaving on all the earth walls facing the airfield with the Great British Public (plus anyone else who could appreciate it) bidding farewell. Made it more special as the Old Girl put on the coals as she approached from Middle Wallop (wot no rotor blades?!?) banked to the right over the airfield and shot off towards Warminster. Topped off by seeing so many people waiting patiently for the fleeting moments of grace, thunder and the sound of freedom.

[Exnomad]

There was a famous tale about a Vulcan visiting the US and approaching US airspace at some height way above what B52s could manage, and asked for FL53 or something. Air trafic said you can have FL53 if you can get up there.
Vulcan replied decending from FL55.

[barnstormer1968]

NDW
At least you knew you wouldn't be getting a flypast.

I on the other hand expected to see XH558 twice today. I was reassured by looking at and studying the flight plan this morning from the Vulcan to the sky team. Once in my 'plane spotter' spot near the second Severn bridge I settled down for the 45 minutes until the aircraft arrived, and all the time was following the flight route on the official Twitter.

In the end I didn't get to really see the aircraft as it decided to orbit the northern part of Bristol and then instead of following the published flight path up the Severn estuary and flying over the second Severn bridge it turned left and the only view was at least 3.5-4 miles away. It's a fair comment to say that the several hundred spotters near me were very unimpressed. Many of these people had donated their £5 just for today's flight only to be told the aircraft was now going to Cardiff.......a town not on today's flight route.

Following the Twitter account it seemed that lots of people were voicing their opinions (far worse than could be put online were other comments in my earshot). The official Twitter account then said that the aircraft was coming back to the Severn Bridges. There were signs of relief, which soon changed to anger again when the aircraft was spotted around a mile to the north of the bridge and only visible for four to five seconds.

I wonder how many of the 300-400 pekoe around me thought that they had paid £5 to help to see a point point accurate Cold War bomber, and not the Severn estuary with the tide out.

[barnstormer1968]

Sky sports

That was bad, they only missed me by four miles.

[OldNavigator]

Great view from 80ft beneath the tin triangle on the overshoot @ Staverton

[thing]

Did a wide orbit of Waddo a few minutes late by my reckoning. Stunningly clear day, saw it through the binos virtually as it departed Donny. There was an ouburst of applause from the public who had gathered on the A15 as it departed.

[izod tester]

Took Grandson to Jet Age Museum at Staverton. Got good view of the fly past, but took 75 minutes to get out of the car park afterwards.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/bn07/xh5582_800x600.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg64/bn07/xh5581_800x600.jpg

[nevillestyke]

From a field near Burgess Hill. 14:07http://www.shgc.org.uk/files/Last%20View.JPG

[barnstormer1968]

Izod

Did your grandson get to go in the Vulcan cockpit there.
I really like the jet age museum and was surprised at just how long I stayed in such a small museum. :)

[izod tester]

There was too long a queue for the Vulcan cockpit today, we have been there before on a quiet day and had a long time in it. The in-cockpit staff member was surprised when I pulled the centre console back to show my grandson the autopilot controls - he didn't know there was a centre console there.

Today, Grandson had to be content with the Gnat and Hunter cockpits. Personally, my favorite exhibit is the Gamecock.

[glad rag]

"my favourite exhibit is the Gamecock."

:ok:

[CoffmanStarter]

Nice pics Izod :ok:

[barnstormer1968]

There s something very very magical or special when standing between the gamecock and meteor IMHO

Just turning from one to the other and observing the differences such as: the gamecocks external fuel taps mounted inline in external rubber tubing; the meteors fully enclosed blow mounded canopy etc. What I find it odd that there had to be at least a few long service personnel who worked on or served with both types in operational service.

[thing]

What I find it odd that there had to be at least a few long service personnel who worked on or served with both types in operational service.

Dickie Haine started off flying Furys in the thirties and flew F4's at Edwards.

In my own service career I knew Arthur Vine who was a Mustang pilot during the war and finished up as an instructor on the Phantom. (his son amusingly being a Shackleton pilot at the same time...)

[Pontius Navigator]

Izod, I am sure the cockpit is a sub-scale replica. There are lots of small Vulcans around the place :)

I would love to strap on the life jacket, parachute and dinghy pack and see how long it would take me to get from the radar seat down the nose or out the door.

[Darvan]

It is not a sub-scale replica but the original front end of XM569. It has not weathered particularly well inside but has recently had a new lick of exterior paint to smarten her up.

[Pontius Navigator]

Darvan, your sense of humour switch needs adjusting.

[thing]

I would love to strap on the life jacket, parachute and dinghy pack and see how long it would take me to get from the radar seat down the nose or out the door.

I'd love to see how long it took for you to strap on a life jacket, parachute and dinghy pack...:)

[NutLoose]

Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Quote:
Please note: today is not the planned final flight.
Do we know when that flight will actually be?


Well they have 2 slots down for it, but one wonders if the second is there to make the potential crowds miss it and get around that problem by retiring her after the first ?


Saw her today but didn't bother fighting the traffic nor taking pictures after the farce of yesterday.

[Above The Clouds]

I had the pleasure of seeing her with the Reds at the Southport airshow, yesterday or today was not going beat that display so for me that was the last flight.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

The displays back when the aeroplane was still in RAF service were the best. No need to worry about engine or airframe life as VTTS have had to; the Vulcan, free of such limits, and exuberantly flown, was just something else!

And of course rules about displaying aeroplanes were less onerous back than as well.

We live a few miles south of Woodford, the birthplace of all Vulcans, so these iconic aeroplanes have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It will be a sad day when 558 flies for the last time.

BTW, considering the public interest in these last flights, TV news seems to have given it scant coverage. Bluddy arti farty media types probably strive to deliberately ignore a cold war icon, and probably eschew what is today simply a lovely flying machine as well.

[izod tester]

None of the crews involved at the time were concerned with the effect they were making on the ground, but my abiding memory of the Vulcans was seeing (and feeling) the Waddington wing doing a survival scramble. I was at Cranwell at the time and on my way to Lincoln and driving past Waddington. There were several aircraft taxiing towards the runway, as one started to roll, the previous one was halfway down the runway and the one before that was just lifting off. Previous aircraft were climbing steeply on divergent tracks. Magnificent.

[thing]

When I was in short trousers they used to start the Finningley open day like that. I can still feel it now.

When seeing that as a youngster how can you not want to be involved in aviation in some way or another? It's almost sledgehammered into your soul.

[Zeus]

She is back in the air again!

Airborne from Doncaster at 10:59L

[Fluffy Bunny]

IIRC, She still has a sortie with the Blades and a two seat Spitfire or two (VTTS Raffle prizes). Then there is the "TBN Final ever flight"...

[Pontius Navigator]

Thing, me too.

I still remember the crew drill trainer. I would be outside, packing up the parachute harness and dinghy before the two old men in the back (mid-thirties) struggled down the chute in slow time.

[nacluv]

izod tester
None of the crews involved at the time were concerned with the effect they were making on the ground, but my abiding memory of the Vulcans was seeing (and feeling) the Waddington wing doing a survival scramble. I was at Cranwell at the time and on my way to Lincoln and driving past Waddington. There were several aircraft taxiing towards the runway, as one started to roll, the previous one was halfway down the runway and the one before that was just lifting off. Previous aircraft were climbing steeply on divergent tracks. Magnificent.

thing
When I was in short trousers they used to start the Finningley open day like that. I can still feel it now.

When seeing that as a youngster how can you not want to be involved in aviation in some way or another? It's almost sledgehammered into your soul.

And how long afterwards until VMCs were restored? :}

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Making a change from Tweet of the Day, there was a recording of the Vulcan mating call on the Today Programme yesterday. It's around point 2:39:15 BBC Radio 4 - Today, 13/10/2015 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06gqx6b). Dr Pleming was also interviewed, earning his meager crust.