I think Andrew is right in saying that we might not necessarily be getting the truth here! Seem to be an awful lot of conflicting comments regarding HLF. Besides, as I've said before, it's very easy to claim that HLF has been asked and that they refuse to co-operate any further, as if that's the end of the matter. Obviously, it doesn't have to be the end of the matter at all if TVOC didn't want it to be. Clearly, they have a golden opportunity to put all their efforts into making a major public issue out of this matter, highlighting how HLF have thrown money at a project which is now dead, unless they put-in a little bit (by their standards) more. It's simple - what would HLF rather do? Be shown-up as wasting a lot of money just because they want to wrap themselves in self-imposed "rules" to avoid paying a bit more, thereby making the original payment worth every penny? Ultimately, HLF are spending our money and if they refuse to spend any more, then it's down to the Government (via us) to dictate that they do otherwise. We have every right to see our money spent as we (not they) see fit.
The latest request was made week commencing 3rd of this month and was turned down, and as i understand it talks are still ongoing. we're talking the heritege lottery fund here! since when has commeon sense every been a feature of lottery handouts?
Problem is, I don't think TVOC have the stomach for a fight like that. It's far easier to just say "we asked but they said no" and go back to lame requests for donations. It's ludicrous - it's the only obvious way of getting the money they need and it would appear that they haven't got the guts to fight for it. Point is, what other flimsy options do they have? None it would seem.
You could interpret the fact that with everyone at T.V.O.C. on a months notice and yet still planning for the future and still talking to the H.L.F as either blind optimism or not giving up for a fight, no need to answer that as i know what you will say.
As for America, well I just don't see what else they could do with a grounded aeroplane. If a few people think they'd no longer support TVOC if there was any hint of it going overseas then what can one say? Clearly, these people don't have the interests of the aircraft's future at heart, they have their own interests at heart. It's quite ridiculous to say it would be better in a museum here (not that any museum is likely to take it) rather than risk a chance of it flying overseas. That's just insulting all the people who worked so hard to get it flying again. We've got plenty of prserved Vulcans here so adding another one just for the sake of not taking a chance is just silly. There's no guarantee that it would fare any better in the US but as I keep saying, once it is grounded here (and there's no sign of it ever flying again) then it's stuck for good, whereas if TVOC used whatever money is left to get it out of the UK while they can, there is at least a slim chance that it could be kept airworthy and - just possibly - come back one day. You can be sure that if it stays on the ground here for very long, the CAA will make sure it never flies again.
Think the problem is that some people think taking it overseas is an admission of defeat. Well if it is then so be it. Far better to accept the inevitable and do what can be done, rather than just stick one's head in the sand and allow 558 to stay here and rot.
I know it was in the press release but i for one think the prospects of 558 going state side are pretty remote. If T.V.O.C. goes into administration theres gonna be a legal mess and 558 will be in the middle of it regarding ownership and dishing out what assets there are to crediters and ownership of 558 will i imagine be a big issue, and with 1 month to administration where is the funds to ferry her to the states? The cost of it all would be huge and why would the U.S. want a Vulcan? As for the C.A.A,.if it wasnt for them being so helpfull 558 would never have flown and im sure her permit doesnt allow her to go to the states, and wouldnt it cost even more to get the relevent clearence? bit of a pipe dream this american saviour if you aske me.
TVOC still have a chance to rescue the project if they would use their time to challenge HLF and to convince people like Branson that there is some promotional mileage in at least making a donation. But I fear that TVOC just don't look at things in the same way. They seem fixated with their usual approach of secretive pleas for sponsorship, combined with stupid requests for private donations which will barely cover the sandwich bill. They don't seem to have the imagination to look at the project on a wider scale. Like I sad before, the don't even take advantage of media opportunities when they get them. They get a chance to talk on national TV and radio and as ever it's Pleming babbling and stuttering about all the irrelevant points which just make him (and the project) look like an amateur pipe dream. They should have got themselves media-savvy and had someone like Jeremy Clarkson (even though I can't stand the bloke!) waiting in the wings to talk to the media and explain the project in language that they (and the public) understand.
It's been said numerous times that Mr Branson has been approached and declined to help out, now the fact that he has added his name to a letter in the telegraph could be attributed to renewed efforts to get him on board could it not? As to weather he has made a donation or not or if he is planning on doing so, who knows? and as for Clarkson- dont make me laugh! the mans a buffon of the highest order and he gets more and more wrapped up in his own hype with each passing day, i wouldnt have him any where near!
It just ain't gonna happen. I see no other alternative than simply letting TVOC blow themselves out. There's no guarantee that anyone else will step-in to rescue the project but it's a possibility and that seems to be a glimmer of hope that TVOC just don't offer. But I guess we'll see soon as their deadline is approcahing. Should be fascinating to see what happens when they do finally call it quits. Might be an opportunity to finally find-out precisely what has been going-on and what all these people really have been doing all this time - not that this will be much comfort I suppose
Anyone stepping in will stand a better chance if T.V.O.C. stays solvant making the personal changes that many think are needed would be a dman sight easier and cheaper than having to resurect the whole shabang from administration. left to long and she will lose her permit etc and the chances of getting it back would be prohibitive. The long term is a erious issue and needs dealing with but the short term is far more pressing at the moment .