XH558 meets XM655 at Wellesbourne today
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XH558 meets XM655 at Wellesbourne today
Being a local resident, today I toddled down to Wellesbourne Airfield for the annual Wings and Wheels event. The disappointment that suspected problems with other local resident XM655's Olympus powerplants ruled out the usual high speed run, nosewheel in the air, was more than compensated for by XH558 making a flypast en-route home from an event in the Netherlands.
Not something you see every day, two Vulcans together, let alone both with all engines turning....
Yes, we were treated to a nice climb-out after the last pass
Not something you see every day, two Vulcans together, let alone both with all engines turning....
Yes, we were treated to a nice climb-out after the last pass
Last edited by The late XV105; 21st Jun 2009 at 15:27. Reason: Typo
A most enjoyable day - and a great tribute both to 655MaPS and VTST for all their dedication spent keeping these grand old aircraft in such fine condition!
Splendid howl when 558 departed down the Fosse Way towards Kemble!
Splendid howl when 558 departed down the Fosse Way towards Kemble!
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Wings and Wheels 2009, Wellesbourne Airfield
A selection of photos from today:
Who's late with the smoke then? (fuzzy through the haze of XM655 exhaust)
Who's late with the smoke then? (fuzzy through the haze of XM655 exhaust)
Last edited by The late XV105; 21st Jun 2009 at 18:57. Reason: Added photos
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You can't have been standing too far away from me there XV105! We had to leave early though cos of an impending roast, with every intention of returning in time for 558 once we heard about its potential overflight, but alas it was not to be 
Gutted!
However considering I thought the weekend was going to involve going round some old stately home with the in-laws, seeing (and hearing) ANY vulcan was a positive!!
Silly question though.... on the top of the tail, there appeared to be what can only be described as anti-pigeon wires.... is that actually what they were???
Gutted! However considering I thought the weekend was going to involve going round some old stately home with the in-laws, seeing (and hearing) ANY vulcan was a positive!!
Silly question though.... on the top of the tail, there appeared to be what can only be described as anti-pigeon wires.... is that actually what they were???
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on the top of the tail, there appeared to be what can only be described as anti-pigeon wires.... is that actually what they were???
Hope the dinner was good and photos made up for any Vulcan disappoinment!
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Does anybody know roughly what time 558 will be displaying at Biggin this coming weekend? I can't make the first hour of the show and it would be a shame to miss her.
Thanks in advance.
C23
Thanks in advance.
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A few snaps from the earlier run...
Now a question or 2...
I understand that the original intention was that XM655 was to be preserved as a flying display aircraft, but the original owner couldn't get permission from the CAA at the time - 25 years ago I guess airworthy military jets in private hands was a rarity? Therefore he let it "rot" until the airfield / preservation society stepped in... Now I know that there is, and never will be any intention of flying this aircraft, but the suggestion was that it was in remarkably good condition - so how airworthy is it? Secondly, some of the locals who witnessed the landing believe that there would be no way the aircraft would have been able to fly out as the runway was too short or the departure would be unsuitable. How true is this, bearing in mind what I'd understood was the original intention to display it?
Now a question or 2...
I understand that the original intention was that XM655 was to be preserved as a flying display aircraft, but the original owner couldn't get permission from the CAA at the time - 25 years ago I guess airworthy military jets in private hands was a rarity? Therefore he let it "rot" until the airfield / preservation society stepped in... Now I know that there is, and never will be any intention of flying this aircraft, but the suggestion was that it was in remarkably good condition - so how airworthy is it? Secondly, some of the locals who witnessed the landing believe that there would be no way the aircraft would have been able to fly out as the runway was too short or the departure would be unsuitable. How true is this, bearing in mind what I'd understood was the original intention to display it?
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And just what exactly is the point of having the thing taxi up and down the runway going RRRRRROOOOOAAAARRRRR !!!!!
Sorry, whilst I fully respect the efforts put in by others on this project I don't see why they go to all the bother.
And now we are into wholsale cow killing, as outlined in other current threads about the impending defence cuts, maybe it's time to take a long hard look at the BBMF and how much public money is expended on that outfit too.
Before anyone starts to flame me, once again I have the highest respect for what they represent, but with some real financial pain coming I think it is time to get really nasty about what is going to be chopped. And I have said before, offering up the reds for cutbacks should be on the table as well.
Sorry, whilst I fully respect the efforts put in by others on this project I don't see why they go to all the bother.
And now we are into wholsale cow killing, as outlined in other current threads about the impending defence cuts, maybe it's time to take a long hard look at the BBMF and how much public money is expended on that outfit too.
Before anyone starts to flame me, once again I have the highest respect for what they represent, but with some real financial pain coming I think it is time to get really nasty about what is going to be chopped. And I have said before, offering up the reds for cutbacks should be on the table as well.
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Originally Posted by c130jbloke
And just what exactly is the point of having the thing taxi up and down the runway going RRRRRROOOOOAAAARRRRR !!!!!
So if you don't want to see it, stay away. We'll be happy not to see you, and you'll be happy that you haven't supported it.
Rant over.
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and that certainly isn't a can of worms I envisaged opening? 
As Sooty says, its not publically funded, and has nothing to do with the BBMF, Red Arrows, Blue Falcons, Green Toads, Pink Fairies or MoD / Government. If you want to have a rant about cutting any of those, there are plenty of threads dedicated to just that, and if they're not good enough, make your own, as I don't think this thread really fits?
As Sooty says, its not publically funded, and has nothing to do with the BBMF, Red Arrows, Blue Falcons, Green Toads, Pink Fairies or MoD / Government. If you want to have a rant about cutting any of those, there are plenty of threads dedicated to just that, and if they're not good enough, make your own, as I don't think this thread really fits?
C130jbloke I can think of about 4,567 things I would chop before the BBMF and the Reds. Perhaps someone can start a sticky thread and we can see what things others would chop before them. How about Trident for starters? - oops, sorry that means the other 4,566 chopped items not required, and with a few bob change we can get the Brunty Victor airborne legally as well 
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Good to hear that the Vulcan costs nothing and what's a Victor ?
As for the BBMF, all I know is that the personnel who run it are public servants, which means that if they spend so much as 1 minute of their work time on it, then the taxpayer ( i.e. us lot ) are footing the bill. As for that, with god knows what horrors coming our way with even more cutbacks, if it's not a core function then it needs to go. I think what I am saying sucks, but it's a consequence of the situation the armed forces are now in. As for keeping nukes, I would love to see them scrapped too, but with the way the world is going
As for the BBMF, all I know is that the personnel who run it are public servants, which means that if they spend so much as 1 minute of their work time on it, then the taxpayer ( i.e. us lot ) are footing the bill. As for that, with god knows what horrors coming our way with even more cutbacks, if it's not a core function then it needs to go. I think what I am saying sucks, but it's a consequence of the situation the armed forces are now in. As for keeping nukes, I would love to see them scrapped too, but with the way the world is going
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C130jbloke
it is people with attitudes like yours who undo the good work of all those who went before you. Respect is a two way street and I hope you recieve the same level of respect that you are so keen to show.
it is people with attitudes like yours who undo the good work of all those who went before you. Respect is a two way street and I hope you recieve the same level of respect that you are so keen to show.
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Sorry, whilst I fully respect the efforts put in by others on this project
it is people with attitudes like yours who undo the good work of all those who went before you
BBMF: A flying memorial to those who have fallen - and not the only memorial to remember them ( and when did a Dakota feature in the battle ? ).
RAFAT: A flying advert for BAe. I understand that they foot part of the operating costs - so why not all of them. Yes, the reds have a recruiting function as well, but thanks to the credit crunch the careers offices are pretty full right now and if we are taking "capabilitiy holidays" elsewhere then why not here too ?
Just so we are all straight - I HAVE NO AXE TO GRIND AGAINST THEM
Last edited by c130jbloke; 24th Jun 2009 at 18:27.