Vulcan to the Sky, The End? (Merged)
It would seem the end is nearing ever closer to the plight of Vulcan XH558, the worlds last potentially airworthy Vulcan.
Based at Bruntingthorpe, the Vulcan to the Sky trust have been trying for years to raise funds for her, however, even the addition of a lottery grant may not be enough.
Here is the press release from the Vulcan to the Sky Trust.
PRESS RELEASE 18.04.06
The battle is won but the war is not over! The restoration project approaches halfway to completion and ‘roll out' is planned in August this year for Avro Vulcan XH558, with test flight following shortly thereafter – and yet – the warrior may be vanquished!!
After eight years of investigation, preparation and fundraising it seems that the quest to return the last Avro Vulcan, to flight may have to accept defeat, just as the goal is in sight!
Unthinkable but a reality. Why? Because despite support from 20,000 donors who have given as much if not more than they can afford, a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and ‘Gifts in Kind' from some Equipment Manufacturers, the time lag between grant and contract, being both unexpected and unpredictable; the significant uplift in cost from two major aerospace contractors and the lack of an early commercial sponsor, means possible defeat for the return of Vulcan.
Bought for the Nation by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST), the restoration of Vulcan XH558 has always been complex, both in engineering and fundraising terms. But the energy and support that has been around for the past five years has sustained Vulcan to the Sky to date.
Sadly, a surprising 100% uplift on one major aspect of the contract and a further £500,000 ‘overrun estimate' in another are unaffordable in the timescale and could well be the last straw. That, together with the lack of a major sponsor at this stage looks like spelling disaster!
G-VLCN, as she will be when flying under civil registration, has been asked to participate in the 25 th Falklands Anniversary tribute in 2007 and other such commemorative events for the future and VTST were excited to accept. This will not now be possible if funds are not found to complete the work to ‘roll out' and beyond.
Tragic that this icon should be so near and yet so far from thrilling new generations; of paying tribute to national honour and to so eloquently epitomizing the era when a deterrent force kept peace in Europe .
Concorde will never fly again but Vulcan can - mother of Concorde, and a great, truly British, icon this aircraft should be supported to fly.
Vulcan is quintessentially British; her design was years ahead of its time and is still relevant in Aerospace R&D today; she is as significant to her era as is the Spitfire to the Second World War and she can be returned to flight!
The Access and Learning exhibition - the Outreach Museum – that will precede G-VLCN on her aerial journeys, will take the story of the Cold War to schools, colleges, universities and the wider community to share the experiences and historical facts of the era. A unique activity giving added value throughout the year to the historic facts of a deterrent force that did not fail and of a mission in the South Atlantic that undoubtedly helped bring an end to conflict. Sharing these little-lauded actions with new generations will inform and enhance their learning experience.
With rumoured flying costs of around £30,000 per hour, perhaps the good guys at the Trust have bitten off more than they can chew. Come on Mr Branson, you helped Sally B and wanted to help a Concorde, dig deep and help the Vulcan!