Hi folks,
Just too clear a few things up as a lot of stuff been posted on numerous forums. Yes the test flight was cancelled due too the weather and there where a couple of snags this morning that have now been rectified one with the number 2 tank that was reading incorrectly and the other with some bolts in the undercarrige which were done under an SI but unfortunately put back in slightly bent (you cant get better than a kwik fit fitter lol).
There is no way that 558 would of been allowed too perform at Cosford on Sunday even if she had completed the TEST FLIGHT snag free and then done a couple of DA flights for Mr CAA.
As for Waddington I know some people seem too think the CAA permit too fly will take a week too sort out but it will take MA about that long if not longer too get the paperwork too the CAA and then at least 3 weeks for CAA to give permit too display. And she still needs her (maybe the last) test flight done yet which I believe they are looking at next week but with our wonderful summer living up too expectations dont count on it.
Hope thats cleared up a few rumours.
Any questions
Apart from QRA, I never heard of a Vulcan 'Crew-In' that didn't involve a snag or two. As for returning from a flight without any defects - come on guys, get real! This is a Vulcan we're talking about...
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 66
Posts: 5,335
BS,
We often had flights were there were no post-flight snags - like in Tehran, Nairobi, Ohakia, El Adem, Ankara, Gardemoen
Mind you we often seemed to need engine changes in Offut, don't know why.
Folklore had it that Eng Wg always put a bag o'nails up for the Rangers so that the crew and one crew chief could sort it out, do the work of 30 groundcrew, and get the chinagraph line ever upwards at no cost to Eng Wg, apart from the crew chief.
Sometimes the plan went tits up. I still remember one rather bemused sgt flown out to Offut to assist with an engine change - mere sgts never got that opportunity normally. Wonderful name for a sooty - Hammer
I noted somewhere that the likely three displays this year (assuming no other hitches) are Farnborough, Fairford (RIAT) and Waddington.
Is it likely that any of these displays will involve a take-off?* I would love to hear the howl again!
If, for example, she was to perform at RIAT over both days, would more fuel be saved by parking-up overnight, and doing a take-off, display on the sunday, then RTB?
* Obviously there will be a take-off from the home base, so no witty comments thanks!
From what I understand she is due down in Jersey for there Air Display in September.
She has a strong connection with the Island from what I understan,d so this could be one of only a few places to see not only the take off, the display and the landing back on.
Jersey was one of the last places she displayed years ago before her long rest and restoration to get back in the air.
We all await the day when the Permit is handed over then the Display Authorisation being given.
All the best to the team when this happens what a party to look forward to with the quest of honour one VULCAN XH558.
Jersey I am led to believe will be OK.
Take off and landing are based on the amount of retractions left on one of the main U/C units. It will have to be changed out around August time, as long as there are not many more extra flights needed.
There is a window between air shows in August when this change out can be done and the team are geared up to do it.
Just to set some expectations: The display will be similar to the RAF one, as the display pattern was included in the lottery grant application. However I do expect it to be tame compared to last couple of RAF seasons in the 90's.
I hope to be proved wrong!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 66
Posts: 5,335
Jersey is a tadge short at 5100 feet. Normal short minima was 6000 feet. I suppose at her lighter weight it would be OK but would certainly need to stream which, in turn, would impose cross-wind limits, 20k IIRC.
Yes sure. You know if you are passing Bruntingthorpe on a Sunday you can go in and see 558, and ask as many questions as you like - I did!
They have a lovely refurbished main U/C leg coming back from the OEM, and yes, you jack the a/c up and swap it over. Conduct some tests and it's business as usual. I hope we have a viewer who could detail a bit more a leg replacment? Smiler...... please?
Everything on this aircraft like all the others have a end of life date, and this work along with engine drops will all be scheduled in. What dictates, is in the operating manual which I do not see.
Spares are good generally and anything on the aircraft can be replaced with a refurbished/boxed brand new spare. From memory the Trust has options on using internal parts from other museum Vulcan's but it's a like for like swap otherwise the Museum & Galleries Commission frown on it and may not award future grants to museum Vulcan's unless they are complete as de commissioned Vulcan's.
Future servicing etc will be reported in the Club's magazine - in my opinion just don't donate, get something back for your hard earned cash. Join the supporters club and get the newsletters/magazines etc.
Smiler provides a detailed engineering report monthly for the entire world to read. I'm sure we will get an excellent report on the leg change.
Not Long Now?
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