Vulcan XH 558 Threads (merged)

[flipflopman RB199]

It has been this way for many months now LP

The aircraft has now been up on jacks for around a month. This was to allow us to fully complete the functional testing aspects of various systems, such as the U/C retraction and Blow-down tests, and the like. The Ejection seats were fitted on Tuesday, and the rear crew seats were fitted today, with the canopy due to be fitted early next week, now that the cockpit is fully complete, along with the new avionics suite and layout.

Engine testing was indeed due to begin today, however, due to the fact that the long awaited PFCU motors have finally arrived, we have now chopped the schedule around, to allow us to complete the flying control set up, prior to ground running. This will then allow us to fully operate all aircraft systems on the ground runs, and test the electrical generation system out fully. The lack of PFCU motors was hampering us quite badly, however, now that they have arrived, we can hopefully make some of that time back.

The additional time in the hangar has also now allowed us to remove the radome, in order to let us to make some final adjustments to the mountings of the 790lb Nose Ballast. Upon weighing the aircraft, it was found that the CG was massively beyond the 'Aft Limit', so various avenues were explored to bring the CG back into limits. Part of this has been to increase the H2S ballast up to its maximum weight of 810lbs, so metal plates have been installed in the nose, where the H2S used to reside, which weigh 790lbs. The rest of the solution involves re-installing many of the heavier 'Black Boxes'. This serves a dual purpose, and also helps us raise the aircraft's AUW, which is quite considerably below the Minimum Allowable Weight for a Vulcan B2 at the moment!!

A final point, Rusty Drewett is the Administration Manager for the project, not, as stated in the article, the 'Project Co-ordinator'.

Hope this explains a few things. If this post appears a little rushed, IT IS!!! I had just typed a full reply, and upon submitting, lost the post in its entirety. Cue profanities, and a hastily submitted reply!!!!


Flipflopman

[greycoat]

Taken from the latest RAF Club Newsletter:

Dining Society Lunch – with Dr Robert Pleming MBCS CITP ARAeS
Monday 15th October - 12.00 for 12.30hrs - Lounge Suit
Our Guest Speaker on 15th October will be Dr Robert Pleming. Dr Pleming is the Chief Executive of the ‘Vulcan to the Skies’ project which is seeking to restore an Avro Vulcan to flying condition. He will explain the genesis of the project, its progress to date and plans for the future. It will also be a great chance to reminisce about the beautiful Vulcan aircraft!
£18.00 per Member/£20.00 per guest.

So if you want to get an answer from the man ....

[Squadgy]

From the AIS :

NAVW: Q)EGTT/QRTCA/IV/BO/W/000/030/5229N00108W003
FROM 07/08/20 09:00 TO 07/09/07 15:00 J3816/07
D)AUG 20-24, 28-31, SEP 03-07 0900-1500
E)RESTRICTED AREA(TEMPORARY) FOR VULCAN TEST FLYING AT
BRUNTINGTHORPE. RESTRICTION OF FLYING REGULATIONS MADE UNDER ARTICLE
96 OF THE ANO 2005 (MIL ACFT SHOULD COMPLY WITH JSP552 201.135.9). NO
ACFT IS TO FLY WI AREA BOUNDED BY CIRCLE RAD 3NM CENTRED AT 522913N
0010750W EXCEPT ACFT FLYING WITH PERMISSION OF OPERATOR OF
BRUNTINGTHORPE AERODROME OR IN THE SERVICE OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE
POLICE. AUS 07-08-0518/3429/AS7
F)SFC G)3000FT AMSL

[G-KEST]

I think they will have quite a problem keeping below 3,000 feet amsl and within 3 NM of Bruntingthorpe with an aircraft like the Vulcan on flight test. Wonder if the RA(T) will be increased in size when they realise?

Cheers,

Trapper 69

[spekesoftly]

Promolgating the RA(T) to cover the whole flight test profile is hardly practical. Allowing the Vulcan to depart relatively unmolested by light aircraft and helos etc will be the main aim; thereafter it will probably disappear into the blue yonder.

[cornish-stormrider]

probably straight up

[gareth herts]

Forgive my "potential" ignorance but isn't the 3m radius to keep other aircraft away - not to keep her in?

[c-bert]

Forgive my ignorance but is that Notam not valid from:

07/08/20 09:00 TO 07/09/07 15:00

is that not 2020 until 2007...?

[spekesoftly]

NOTAMs do dates "backwards":-

Year/Month/Day

[BEagle]

Best you find some Vaseline sharpish, Tombstone!

Florist and video team are on hot standby!!

[forget]

Full kit available. NATO Stock No. 4581-49625-1554

[Green Flash]

Will there be a NOTAM for Tombstones, ahem, 'display'?

[wonderboysteve]

There seems to be a large Vulcan-shaped space in the hanger, according to the webcams....

[iank]

It would seem that TVOC are making a 'contribution' to Tombstones performance - they've cleared some space in the Hangar to rehearse

[c-bert]

http://www.lutterworthmail.co.uk/news?articleid=3114410

Engine test due to start tomorrow.

[threeputt]

I hope Tombstone remembers to do his "flypast" in daylight hours.

For his sake I hope that it's not raining next week!

3P

[harrogate]

BBC Regions reporting tonight that the project is on hold, but not for technical reasons.

Anyone?

[Flipper_T_Rox]

I don't know about tomorrow, but the engines were running today. The aircraft looks wonderful and sounded likewise. It surely can't be long now . . .

[G-KEST]

Sure looks purty - as our trans Atlantic cousins would say.

Just a thought. Why not paint the Vulcan day-glo yellow and then the horde of onlookers could wear camouflage clothing? After all better visibility increases the potential to avoid.

My bike is at the door..........................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

Cheers,

Trapper 69

[XL319]

Nice to see them finally doing flight tests just as the airshow season is finishing