Live for today and be optimistic for tomorrow. XH558 IS UP WHERE SHE BELONGS thanks to TVOC and millions of generous donors - thanks to them all and thanks to Hashdef for the great pictures. Everyone else give the whingeing a rest and enjoy while you can!
I have many fond memories of changing various antenna on Vulcans. Changing the bomb aimers blister UHF blade was a fairly regular occurrence for a variety of reasons, careless heads, bashed by ground equipment and the favourite, failure to release the drain screws on the blister.
Many a time the antenna was internally damaged due to ingress of various fluids, from condensation, red wine or bodily fluids. Normal procedure was to fit new antenna and then seal the cable/antenna connector with PRC. I can't remember if I did a change on 558 but have certainly worked on her in the last years of Vulcan service.
Just a thought, does anyone have, or know where I can get, a video of the 50 Sqn disbandment parade, I know one was made and since I was on it I would like a copy for posterity.
Final word on antennas. The ‘Heavies’ did a world class, brilliant, never to be repeated job. It flies!
The fact is, I’m embarrassed that the work of the ‘Fairies’ wasn’t in the same class. Money (lots of it ) and time (lots of it) was wasted doing work that was completely unnecessary – and left pimples on the art work. Simple as that.
This week, Northern Ireland hosted two fantastic talks on the Vulcan...
On Monday evening past, we welcomed Capt. Peter Taylor (BA, ex-RAF), who gave a wonderful presentation on the Black Buck missions to the Falklands...Peter's understated tale of real daring-do was a pleasure to listen to. From recovering bomb racks from a scrapyard, to a 5,000 mile competition between ex-VC10 INS and Astro Navigation (they only disagreed by 1/2 mile after those 5,000 miles!) Black Buck was one of those acts of war that would probably never ever have been considered possible during peacetime...but when events called for it, ingenuity, courage and not a little humour made the impossible possible.
Then on Wednesday night, Dr. Robert Plemming kept a large audience enthralled with the inside story of the restoration of Vulcan XH558. The work his team have done was superbly described, the challenges and technical aspects explained. With a price tag that went from £3M to £6M, their achievement was almost as fantastic as Black Buck...and the video of the first test flight, with a 40 year old Vulcan positively leaping into the air, brought a gasp of awe, and I suspect one or two dew eyed moments.
To both Peter and Robert, a big thank you from the aviation buffs of NI...for anyone who knows either gent, please pass on our thanks!
Quote by vickyv "I'll ignore Biker Boy or Over the Hills Angel he can rant with the best of them and I obviously struck a nerve or two."
Thanks for the praise vickyv, to be praised by such a well practised ranter as yourself makes me feel very humble, I could never hope to equal your skill in that direction
I was driving down the M40 yesterday around Wariwck area ( I think)
about 16.00 ( give or take) and I am sure I glimpsed (very brief) the Vulcan heading South/South East. fairly low level..
Am I right ..or sadly mistaken?
It brightened my long journey south so I hope it was.. was ratehr somkey so I think I am right!! but on saw brief side view not sign of delta wing.
anubody know
also
anybody know if any plans for "showing" in the North this month?
It does not look good for the old girl TVOC WEBSITE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
more funding,lack of sponsors,missed events and so on not bad since only last week vtts and tvoc said that the BBC interview was wide of the mark by along way.
Well she flew at the weekend and yes again returned with snags more ndt on the legs and a maxeret change these are a pig to do also some debris on the mag chips that requires re-testing and possible filter inspections a good 2 days work im told.
Marshall technicians travelled early on Tuesday after ONLY finding out Monday afternoon hope this is quick enough for you all if it was left to you know who they would not of gone till Wednesday thus missing Thursday in Jersey who's fault would that of been?
Surely now its time for everyone to come clean on who is who on sponsors what ridiculous wages are been drawn in tvoc and how many people are actuallly required to operate the old girl remember we must all understand how tvoc need to operate, well tell us all and help may come lets start at the top Robert .average wage of a CEO 70k a year? in the industry guidelines i hope not.
Add to this a break down of running the old girl and supporting the shows hangar rent sponsorship and marketing cost and wages etc etc it would be interesting reading.
WELL LOOK FORWARD TO ALL YOUR REPLY'S
thanks disgruntled for the info last week it was very usefull
Disgusting a quote from one of the posts on the tvoc forum today.
Quote:
It doesnt matter too much about all the small charities , schools, RAFA etc who have also suffered losses at the hands of the weather! There is always next year for them but we need help now!!
Never have I heard something so outrageous and crap. Lets all hope the poster never has too rely on a charity through ill health but cant because all the money is off too 558. ******
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
Posts: 15,742
Throughout Sunday the weather situation defied even the Brize forecaster's array of computers. Both Duxford and Southport were cancelled when it became clear that there was no safe, VFR way of making either.
However, the weather then began to clear from the west. It would not clear sufficiently along the required route to Duxford before the display closed; however, it was just possible for the aircraft to make it to Southport. Contrary to all expectations, the crew worked miracles and were able to reach Southport and to display to a crowd who hadn't had any chance to see her before. But there was no way a safe transit and display could still be achieved to Duxford in sufficient time.
It was amazing that '558 flew at all on Sunday and for that at least some had cause to be thankful.
If folk can't understand the vagaries of the British weather, perhaps they should reconsider travelling long distances given the appalling forecast which had been in force for several days beforehand.
As I write I am sitting outside in the evening sun on the Bodensee (Lake Constance) having flown down last night from Hamburg. None of my colleagues can really believe what an appalling summer the UK has had.
But hey, maybe I can have a word with Big G (or Big A for some) and ask him/her to ensure that next time the sun will shine?
Last edited by BEagle : 15th September 2008 at 15:04.
Reason: p-k-b had the decency to edit his post, so it's only fair that I should edit mine!!
I complained about this myself, on another site. Whilst certainly NOT being a fan of Vulcan management, I can clarify the situation as it was explained to me.
I was at Duxford on Saturday, and Sunday. The Vulcan appeared on time at Duxford on Saturday, but was forced to cancel Southport [another two day show] due to weather. At Duxford, I was not in a position to hear all that was said ,over the loudspeakers, about it's non-appearance due to there being a lot of aircraft noise. What I heard made the excuse for it's non arrival seem very lame. HOWEVER, when I posted on another site, it was explained to me [by another non-fan of TVOC management] that due to poor weather at Brize, its departure was delayed by two hours, and was very nearly cancelled altogether. It therefore performed at Southport, where it was cancelled the day before, which left it with not enough time for it to display at Duxford, where it HAD displayed the day before. Therefore, it seemed fair enough to me that it did, at least, perform at both shows, although, of course it was disappointing for many people that didn't see it. It would seem to me, that on THIS occasion, they did their best with the time at their disposal, despite the constraints imposed on them by the inclement weather.
BEagle:
I am surprised that none of your colleagues on the Bodensee can believe the British summer this year. If they moved about thirty kilometers into Argenbühl they would be able to get a good idea. You may have been sitting in the evening sun, we were sitting in the evening rain. Having spoken to my family in Northampton over the weekend I am not at all surprised that the Vulcan did not make Duxford on Sunday.
I'am just grateful to see XH558 cruise over my village just south of Santa Pod on Saturday afternoon en route Duxford to Brize,and dodging the low cloud,rain and strong winds. I could not make the airshows as I was on 12 hour night shifts. I wish everyone would be more grateful . The problem today is that everyone expects too much .
Last edited by T-21 : 10th September 2008 at 23:21.
he can rant with the best of them and I obviously struck a nerve or two."
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