TV Heads-up/Reminder - Guy Martin: Last Flight Of The Vulcan Bomber

[Rhino power]

Channel 4, 19:30-21:00, 29th November

If his previous programme about the Spitfire was anything to go by, this should be worth watching...

-RP

[JointShiteFighter]

Thanks RP.

[Rhino power]

Thanks RP.

No probs... :ok:

-RP

[Tankertrashnav]

Looking forward to this one. What a great bloke and such a contrast to the talentless "celebs" who fill our tv screens night after night.

Total nutter though ;)

[The Old Fat One]

^^

Recently read his book...best bit is not about him, it's about his uncle who escaped from the Russian Front

"when you dead, you dead"

Somewhat existentialist philosophy.

Guy Ritchie should remake "Vanishing Point" with Guy Martin in the lead role - he even looks like Barry Newman. Not sure who I'd have on the motorcycle though...Mila Kunis?

[NutLoose]

Thanks RP, box set :)

It says something about the draw the Vulcan had that a programme was produced to be shown on prime time TV

[Rhino power]

Thanks RP, box set :)

:ok:

-RP

[A and C]

You have hit the nail on the head most of the media so called celebs have no talent whatsoever outside the media bubble, in contrast Guy Martin has a talent for building machinery and is IMO the best motorcycle racer to never have won a TT his performance in last years senior race with a 132.398 MPH lap puts him in the top four fastest TT laps.

[octavian]

Great interview with Guy Martin in this week's Radio Times. He cycles to work at a truck company and gets paid £12 an hour. Unlike the so-called celebs, he has his feet firmly on the ground. What a man.

[The Old Fat One]

he has his feet firmly on the ground

Please tell me you are being ironic.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=guy+martin+crash+2015&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=979&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjov4v09rXJAhXCHA8KHYCYCloQ_AUICCgD#imgrc=HpfJB-VaxFf3nM%3A

[The Oberon]

Initially thought that the media were trying to manufacture another Fred Dibnah, but happy to eat my words. His soapbox run in France was terrific.
Watched some of the in flight filming over Scampton a couple of months ago, looked good.

[Shaft109]

What I like about GM is that he is real as in he's an actual fitter / mechanic so really knows what he's talking about.
Also owns a running Merlin which he had an accident with in the shed by removing the limiter and revving the nuts off it.

I rarely watch TV now as it's too dumbed down but this should be a good balance of entertainment and education - being perceived as intelligent or nerdy gets ridiculed.

[VMD+12]

Really looking forward to this as I recently watched GM do a travel around India on a motor bike - a Royal Enfield that he bought second hand. This programme showed some delightful parts of the real India including a visit to a HGV tyre changing yard as well as GM joining in a moto cross race in Goa which he won.


In addition to the video of him crashing out of the NW 200 race in Ireland, about 3 years ago he had a very spectacular off in the I of Man TT when he was somersaulted over a stone wall in the mountain section when he came off his bike doing at least 150mph. How he survived that I do not know. He is obviously a really tough bloke who also knows what he is doing with a spanner and can talk about it.

[flydive1]

about 3 years ago he had a very spectacular off in the I of Man TT when he was somersaulted over a stone wall in the mountain section when he came off his bike doing at least 150mph. How he survived that I do not know.

Wasn't that Conor Cummins?

[A and C]

You are correct that video is of Conner Cummins loosing the front end at the veranda. Guy crashed in the same race at Ballagaerey. It was a spectacular off with the bike bursting into flames and setting fire to a hedge, the race was stopped to allow the fire brigade to extinguish the fire before it spread to nearby houses.

[smujsmith]

Recording as I post, will watch it later with a decent single malt. Thanks for the heads up RP.

Smudge:ok:

[Arfur Dent]

Very limited escape potential for rear crew if the pilots ejected. Famous story of a near mutiny at a V Force Dining in Night after a crash where the pilots (very Senior Officers) survived and the rear crew were killed. Anyone know the details?

[Kitbag]

No idea about a mutiny, but this is probably what you're thinking of;
Vulcan crash (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1956_London_Heathrow_Avro_Vulcan_crash)

[sunnybunny]

just watched it

absolutely brilliant.

I drank Loch Lomond malt, seemed appropriate. I was never in the RAF, in RN instead but saw a Vulcan at Gaydon in my very young youth and then at various points in my life.

An era closes...

[RedhillPhil]

SunnyBunny as we're the same age we probably saw the same Vulcan at Gaydon. Pa was stationed there 1963-67.

[Timelord]

Arfur, Certainly nothing like a mutiny but the VSO in question did get a very hard time at a Dining In Night. I am sure there must have been a thread on the subject of the 1 Gp Dining In Night

[Arfur Dent]

Thanks chaps. I was told the story a long time ago and it was about Harry Broadhurst standing up at a Dining In and being booed and pelted with bread rolls until he sat down and/or left. That's what I meant by 'mutiny'.

[Courtney Mil]

Love it. Some truly excellent photography and some really down-to-earth questions. No bull****, just a great tribute to a great aircraft.

I'm sure someone will find a way to criticise, but it was just a good, enjoyable, informative programme. With a little bit of sadness.

[Kitbag]

Jeez, that howl:D

[Tankertrashnav]

I'm sure someone will find a way to criticise,

I really hope not. I spotted a few minor errors but it would just be nitpicking over a great programme to bring them up. Loved the fast taxi run - I bet he was dying for the captain to do a Bob Prothero ;)

[Wander00]

Thought it was a good programme, and just a bit spooky as they showed it flying down Windemere, where Mrs W, W Junior and I watched it from the western shore

[Vector 7]

It was a good programme. It brought a tear to my eye. I knew Guy Martin would appreciate the Vulcan and the engineering.
The end of an era, and a big part of my (family's) life has finally come to an end.
Oh for a massive silly lottery win.

[Courtney Mil]

^^^Sadly nothing to do with money any more. The manufacturers won't support the engines. That's it. Sadly.

[Could be the last?]

The icing on the cake for this documentary would have been the 'alleged barrel roll' in the closing credits.............Otherwise it was 'proper' insight into the last few months of the old girl - awesome.

[DC10RealMan]

I seem to remember that the civilian GCA controller at LHR "took the rap" quite unfairly to protect Broadhurst and the RAF.

[Shaft109]

Something I noticed on the taxi run was the camera (s) start vibrating as they got to the top end of the RPM - to me it demonstrated the sheer power of the thing.

(yes I know it's powered by 301s so that bit more powerful)

Great program

[Courtney Mil]

the sheer power of the thing.

There you go. Sheer power. What a jet.

[smujsmith]

Great TV and hopefully of interest to more than us ex's ! No doubt the last Vulcan has given some great displays, and some fond memories for those who saw service, in whatever capacity, on the beast. Like the C130K, Lightning F6 and yes, the Chipmunk T10 another type becomes a museum exhibit. Not a matter for too much excitement chaps, Typhoon does a very nice display.

Smudge :ok:

[air pig]

The Chipmunk still serves in the RAF at Coningsby with BBMF.

[Vector 7]

Absolutely Courtney! The Vulcan is a fanastic aircraft. Those engines are one of the sounds of my childhood.

My silly lottery win would be training engineers, funding the manufacturing of spares and the paying the running costs- or maybe even building a brand new one (yes, it's a fantasy lottery win, not a snowball's chance of it happening!).

The cold War is an important part of our history. It does seem to be brushed under the carpet at times.
Still Guy did a good programme. Hopefully the esteemed Faither enjoyed it too, he spent a lot of time in them.

[flipflopman RB199]

And there was me hoping for a full 15 minutes of fame. I got 3 seconds, I'll take that!! :p:p:ok::ok:

I thought that was a great programme and that Guy Martin did it full justice. Horses for courses and while Guy may not be to everyone's taste, I believe that he is perfect for the target audience, hence the huge love that is currently forthcoming for him via most social media outlets... :ok::ok:


Flipflopman

[morton]

Just watched Guy Martin and the last Vulcan flight. Some great air-to-air filming but it was also good to see a bit more of the ‘tyre-kickers’ view of the Aircraft. Seeing him opening a Hangar door brought back memories. Normally opening the Hangar doors was just the warm up before dragging the jacks into place and the cry of ‘Up a penny’ umpty-ump times. But at least we were inside and not suffering another 90+ minutes start checks on the OCU trying to shelter from the wind and rain behind an undercarriage door. Or trying to get warm standing under the Rover exhaust and then not being allowed back into the Line office because the fumes had permeated through everything.

From viewing this and other public displays the Aircraft was always immaculately presented. Not always the case during its operational life. The bane of any Squadron (or Centralised Servicing as it was when I started on them) erk was to have all Aircraft serviceable. Once the Line office had been tidied and cleaned what was there to do then? Knock off early and help NAAFI profits by supporting the Pigs bar? No chance!

Split into teams and assigned an Aircraft we were each issued a tub of Wadpol and the team bucket of rags to clean the underside of the Aircraft. Deep joy! And if you were really lucky you got to clean behind the R/H Undercarriage where the Rover blackened everything. I don’t think our hands ever washed clean – it was just the skin peeling and being replaced with new skin that made us look clean again.

But we could never get them as clean as the Aircraft presented to (I think) the Duke of Kent at Scampton back in 1972 or 73. One Aircraft from each of the Squadrons was parked on Echo dispersal (the OCU pans) The Aircraft went into the Hangar and had what looked like complete resprays. The undercarriages were also immaculate and were the tyres painted gloss black or did someone have to ‘Bull’ them up? Don’t know but they all looked brilliant. Even 1066 scrubbed up well!
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/itmade/Vulcan/BG%2040a%20Scampton_zpswn5apynb.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/itmade/media/Vulcan/BG%2040a%20Scampton_zpswn5apynb.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/itmade/Vulcan/BG%2036a%20Scampton_zpsdbj9zkgd.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/itmade/media/Vulcan/BG%2036a%20Scampton_zpsdbj9zkgd.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/itmade/Vulcan/BG%2032a%20Scampton_zpsqfqgkfrs.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/itmade/media/Vulcan/BG%2032a%20Scampton_zpsqfqgkfrs.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/itmade/Vulcan/BG%2031a%20Scampton_zpsv5lm0whw.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/itmade/media/Vulcan/BG%2031a%20Scampton_zpsv5lm0whw.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/itmade/Vulcan/BG%2038a%20Scampton_zpskrsrpdql.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/itmade/media/Vulcan/BG%2038a%20Scampton_zpskrsrpdql.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/itmade/Vulcan/BG%2039a%20Scampton_zpspknguywa.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/itmade/media/Vulcan/BG%2039a%20Scampton_zpspknguywa.jpg.html)
http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/y347/itmade/Vulcan/BG%2041a%20Scampton_zpsnpkqvgbj.jpg (http://s1028.photobucket.com/user/itmade/media/Vulcan/BG%2041a%20Scampton_zpsnpkqvgbj.jpg.html)

[oldmansquipper]

Great program. Many an hour working on them from 64-67 at Waddo. (Not my favourite posting) It was, and is, the most impressive of aeroplanes.

Thank you, Vulcan. You did well!:D

[lmgaylard]

Quite enjoyed the programme with some nice historic video.


I remember my Uncle telling me that when the Vulcans used to disperse to forward operating bases the locals around Yeovilton would know in advance when they were coming because the crews would pre-order their meat from the butcher in Ilchester.

[NutLoose]

Courtney
^^^Sadly nothing to do with money any more. The manufacturers won't support the engines. That's it. Sadly.

Quite right too, they have already extended the engine life once and when do you stop, when one chews itself out through the wing?

You have to remember that no Olympus aero engines are built anymore, there is no tooling, no spares, and possibly not even a full set of drawings, also engines have an overhaul life, even when in a wrv bag, not that there is any of those available either.

Sad as it is, it was always going to happen sooner or later, and better a safe sooner than a disastrous later. Don't forget a companies share price these days is tied to their reputation and the Vulcan going down at a show would be a disaster in both the loss of life and for any company that ignored the blatantly obvious.

Excellent show BTW.

[Tashengurt]

I love Guy Martins wide eyed almost child like enthusiasm for everything he does. Not concerned with looking cool but, I suspect, a very keen understanding of what engages an audience.

[MAINJAFAD]

Quite right too, they have already extended the engine life once and when do you stop, when one chews itself out through the wing?


Nutloose. The project only had 10 years of flying life in it from the start based on the running hours they had on what were almost 8 zero hour engines. Trashing 2 of them due to a totally avoidable incident in 2012 wasn't going to make them a safe bet in Rolls Royce's eyes. plus of course the FI on the airframe is in very uncharted territory for a Vulcan.

[The Old Fat One]

Massive thread drift, but I believe I flew in that there Hastings in 1975.

Great programme except not enough AEOs. :p

[Krystal n chips]

A very entertaining and well balanced programme.

Interesting to watch the de-jacking process however.....one ? ring at a time seemed a little too cautious though...still, for anybody not familiar with the process, a fascinating insight as to engineering / engineers and how we operate.

Although you would have thought they could have invested in some pneumatically operated jacks, rather than the good old "heave and grunt" versions....:D

Given Mr Martin's natural affinity as a presenter, and for all things mechanical, it would be nice if somebody let him loose on the Shack now being restored...that would probably make an even more interesting programme.

[CoffmanStarter]

Throughly enjoyed the programme ... Well done Guy Martin :ok:

If I'm not mistaken ... A few excerpts from the 'Delta 8-3' 1960's film to add context :8

Best ...

Coff.

Delta 8-3 Part 1

Delta 8-3 Part 2

PS. I noticed that one of the Delta 8-3 'Technical Advisors' was a F/L J Sewell ... Does anyone know if that was the same John Sewell who was ULAS CFI in the early 70's ?

[Arclite01]

Morton

Great pictures !!

Arc

[NutLoose]

Nutloose. The project only had 10 years of flying life in it from the start based on the running hours they had on what were almost 8 zero hour engines. Trashing 2 of them due to a totally avoidable incident in 2012 wasn't going to make them a safe bet in Rolls Royce's eyes. plus of course the FI on the airframe is in very uncharted territory for a Vulcan.

Yes, I bet there were some Corporate sighs of relief all around when the decision was made to pull the plug on it, and I noticed everyone else was quick to follow suit.
I did feel like there were some sour grapes coming from certain parties involved in it all though.

BTW.. you can buy bits of the wrecked engines, but at that price you would think they'd throw in a bag of Silica Gel...... ohh hang on, they already did. :E

http://www.vulcantotheskystore.co.uk/the-connoisseur-collection-12-c.asp

[Downwind.Maddl-Land]

The inevitable mention of the rear crew escape ‘difficulties’, but no mention that an effective ejection system was designed by mssrs MB as shown at http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/111797-did-you-fly-vulcan-merged-23.html

Abandoned due cost as always. Always wanted to put the appropriate bean stealer who made that decision in the same position and see how he felt about it then…..

[AndoniP]

I can't stand Guy Martin and couldn't understand him half the time, but the aerial photography was superb and it was extremely informative :ok:

[AR1]

Along with the footage of the underbody escape trial - Yikes!

and couldn't understand him half the time - Typical southerner ;-)

[742-xx]

Great programme, very well made - informative and entertaining.
A wonderful insight into the Wellesbourne Vulcan particularly, and the story of the Vulcan in general.

As far as presenters go, you really can't beat Guy Martin.

I was surprised though that given the title it didn't actually feature the last flight of XH558.
We all know how modern day tv loves nothing more than seeing people in floods of tears, surely there was more chance of this on that day ?
That's not a critisism, just an observation.

[kintyred]

you really can't beat Guy Martin

Much though I'd like to

[JFZ90]

They probably avoided the last flight as they didn't want incriminating footage of barrel roll :E

Must admit I was not convinced the VTTS effort was worth it all those years ago, but it has been quite a remarkable achievement and great to see back in the air.

The programme was a treat and the aerial shots were very well done, nice old footage too.

Interesting blue steel footage - the blokes sitting on the nose of the blue steel to balance it were brave - elf and safety would have a fit! I assume this not the done thing when they were fuelled with peroxide!

[Darvan]

The C4 commentator made a bit of a controversial statement regarding the Black Buck missions. In his words he said "there were a further 6 Black Buck missions but only the first was ever considered to be a success". I know a few BB crew members who might disagree with him, some vehemently! Yes, there was only one successful bombing mission out of 3 but there were a further 3 missions that were tasked as SEAD against Argentinian air defence systems, 2 of which were successful resulting in damage to a TPS-43 search radar and the total destruction of a Skyguard fire control radar and its crew.

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

I thought Guy Martin was superb. Just what you needed to draw in the layman and the children. Very high quality television befitting a magnificent topic.

WWW

[Pontius Navigator]

OoohVery limited escape potential for rear crew if the pilots ejected. Famous story of a near mutiny at a V Force Dining in Night after a crash where the pilots (very Senior Officers) survived and the rear crew were killed. Anyone know the details?

Google is your friend.
The 1 Gp Dining In Night at Waddington [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums (http://www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-48124.html)

Not had time to read it myself as it predates my joining pprune.

PS

Having read it I can confirm that what was said was true and could add many more details including the name of the fireman and the name of the sqn ldr that tried to control it, but I will just comment on that crash.

He was an ACM 4* and his nickname was Bang Bang. When invited to speak tables were thumped his nickname shouted. This was then followed by "We want Gus, we want Gus" a hugely popular ex-AOC, international rugby referee, and wartime station commander who lost an arm trying to rescue the crew of a crashed Lancaster.

[Arfur Dent]

Yes, I've read it and it's entertainingly written and set up by the poster. Obviously, the underlying tragedy is awful but the evening sounds like an absolute nightmare for those in charge. Some wonderful tales in further posts including the young man explaining to the Doctors in A&E that his leg was broken when he was leaning against the mantlepiece in the Officers' Mess, chatting to a friend over a beer when he was hit by a motorbike!! (Lucky it wasn't the Staish's Mini but that's another story).
Thanks for the link - highly recommended.;)

[Pontius Navigator]

AD, the wheels were very autocratic and Waddington' s staish in particular. He upset all the living in officers by having their room carpets removed to carpet the tent. He upset all the officers by placing a power plinth in the middle of the OM football pitch (now a car park).

No officer from one station sat near another from the same station. It certainly stopped inter-sqn table matches but did nothing aid discipline. I had my wings clipped when my sqn cdr caught my eye.

The band didn't help by playing the Dambusters early on (a different sqn suggested that tune). 617 also got the blame for the Maltese fireworks justifiably as they had just returned from a Malta Sunspot, but actually it were 83 return on from a Malta Ranger.

[Union Jack]

Although I have recorded, but not yet seen the programme, can anyone confirm whether any mention was made of Tombstone's promise at http://www.pprune.org/2764258-post285.html regarding the "thorny" subject of the Vulcan's first flight, further commented on at http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/293800-xh558-outside-again.html? :ouch: If not, does anyone know if the rose did indeed ever enter the hallowed gates, and did Tombstone come up to scratch and "fulfil" his :mad: , sorry, promise....?:ooh:

Jack

[Arfur Dent]

PN - Thanks very much. Not a good night for the 'Wheels' or indeed anyone else really.

[sooty655]

XM655

Something I noticed on the taxi run was the camera (s) start vibrating as they got to the top end of the RPM - to me it demonstrated the sheer power of the thing.

(yes I know it's powered by 301s so that bit more powerful)

Great program
XM655 is only operated up to the Cruise setting on the engine governors (~97%N1), so probably roughly comparable with the Take off setting on 201s.

Great programme, very well made - informative and entertaining.
A wonderful insight into the Wellesbourne Vulcan particularly, and the story of the Vulcan in general.

As far as presenters go, you really can't beat Guy Martin.
We had a great time working with them at Wellesbourne. Not the first film crew we have experienced, but certainly the best (so far). GM in real life is exactly the same as GM on TV.

[BEagle]

Union Jack, back on 29 Oct 2007, I advised:

Tombstone, being a chap who keeps his promises, has given me an update.

Firstly, he has been off the forum recently as he was on compassionate leave. I'm sure everyone will wish him well.

Now, you will all be interested to learn that the deed has been done and I will have the DVD in a few days' time.

However, a tip-off to Tombstone revealed that the RAF fun-detectors were not very happy about the idea of a 'public' performance, so quite understandably the DVD was shot not in a crewroom, but next to a jet.

However, he never did send the DVD proof, neither did he respond to further queries - just went deep and silent after he failed to provide the evidence.....:hmm:

Mind you, after I rang the crew immediately following Flight 1, they wimped out of telling the press about his promise!

[Union Jack]

However, he never did send the DVD proof, neither did he respond to further queries - just went deep and silent after he failed to provide the evidence.....

VMT for the "update", BEagle!:ok:

Sounds like Tombstone would have made a good submariner - "deep and silent" indeed, or was that after the insertion of the rose stem?:eek:

Jack

[JointShiteFighter]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I miss that old girl. :(

[Lyneham Lad]

Repeated tonight (Friday) at 19.30 on 4Seven (channel 47).