much as I like to see it flying, to my way of thinking the silica incident suggests a management and maintenance mindset which indicates the sooner the aircraft is grounded, the safer we all will be.
the South African Lightning report clearly indicates the potential issues with civilians trying to keep old military aircraft airborne. I don't suggest the Vulcan operators are cast in the same mould as those incompetents, but the fact remains that trying to keep any complex aircraft flying without the proper resources is an accident waiting to happen.
the silica should be taken as a warning. The aircraft should be grounded, now.