Vulcan and the lottery - good news

[DamienB]

http://www.tvoc.co.uk/index2.htm

[tharg]

Oh pleeeeeese. Most excellent news (I hope :ooh: )

And, well, Damian - just when you thought the days of snapping big triangular noisy things were over, eh?

[DamienB]

Fingers crossed eh and let's hope VttS don't roll out the 'we'll scrap it' line any more.

Full HLF press release:

Vulcan reaching for the sky

The campaign to save an important part of Britain’s aviation heritage took a major step forward today (Thursday 11 December), with news that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded a Stage One Pass* of £2.5million towards the purchase and restoration to full flying condition of the Avro Vulcan XH558. Whilst this is not a guarantee of funding from HLF, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust now has the go-ahead to pursue its second stage application to the Fund.

This particular aircraft was the first Mark II Vulcan to be built, and the last to see active service with the RAF. The Trust plans to purchase the aircraft together with spare parts, and undertake a major programme of maintenance to return it to flight. The Vulcan will be based at Bruntingthorpe near Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Over the next 10 to 15 years it will then be flown at selected displays around the UK, allowing members of the public to appreciate fully its splendour, and learn more about its construction and operational uses.

In light of HLF’s advice, an impressive programme has now been developed for the Vulcan. When not flying, the aircraft will be on display at its operational base. An education programme and mobile exhibition display will be developed for use at air shows, and as part of outreach to schools and other audiences. This will focus on the Vulcan’s role during the ‘Cold War’, and its influence as the forerunner of supersonic aircraft such as Concorde. At the end of its flying life, the aircraft will be transferred to the Imperial War Museum’s collection at Duxford in Cambridgeshire – a partnership encouraged by HLF. (HLF has also funded the Duxford Collection to the tune of £9million.) It will be the main Vulcan on display there, and will undertake regular fast taxiing demonstrations which are very popular with the public.

The Heritage Lottery Fund does not normally help restore aircraft to flying condition. But Trustees took their exceptional decision because this is the only example of the Vulcan suitable for restoration to flight. They were also assured that the aircraft would be properly safeguarded for the future, with the potential risks of flying minimised according to regulations from the Civil Aviation Authority and BAE Systems. Trustees acknowledged the special place of the Vulcan in the history of British aviation, the considerable public support for the project, and the fact that innovative proposals were being developed to help people appreciate it and learn about its history.
Continues…1/2

Page two

Liz Forgan, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:
‘In the normal way of things we do not restore aircraft to flight, but the Heritage Lottery Fund was really impressed with the imaginative way in which the Trust's new proposal will let as many people as possible learn about this important part of their heritage. The Vulcan could soon take to the skies again, thanks to this exceptional award made possible by lottery players' money. Now a whole new generation will be able to see this unique and much loved aircraft restored and in action, before it retires to the nationally important Imperial War Museum, Duxford.’

-Ends-

Further information
Please contact Lisa Mangan or Owen Roffe, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6032 or 6046. Out of hours: 07973 613820. Website www.hlf.org.uk

Felicity Irwin, Vulcan to the Sky Trust, on 01258 841274

Notes to editors
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation’s heritage for everyone to enjoy. We have made over 12,000 awards worth more than £2.7billion across the UK. In the East Midlands we have made over 520 awards totalling nearly £140million.

*A ‘Stage One Pass’ means that HLF has earmarked money for the project in question. Competition at this stage is tough, and while a Stage One Pass does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive support, and money for the scheme is set aside. The applicant can then progress to Stage Two and submit a further, fully developed application to secure the full grant. On occasion, at Stage One, funding will also be awarded towards the development of the scheme.

HLF first considered an application from the Vulcan to the Sky Trust back in November 2002, but was unable to support this due to concerns about value for money. Since then, HLF has offered considerable support and advice to the Trust about the way forward. The applicants have now completely rethought their application, resulting in considerably stronger long-term public benefits, an improved education programme, and a significant extension to the use of the aircraft during its flying life.

HLF remains committed to supporting our varied and popular aviation heritage, investing in a wide range of projects including a £9million grant towards the creation of ‘Air Space’ at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, and support for the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon, as well as smaller collections. Other projects in this sector include the purchase and restoration of a 1969 Westland Wessex HCC.4 helicopter for display at the Helicopter Museum in Weston Super Mare, and the creation of an Aviation and Heritage Centre at the Aerospace Museum in Shropshire.

[Tony_EM]

I know that many things have to go very well before we see this Vulcan airborne again, but I can't help feeling that this news is cause for celebration in itself.

I WILL be holding my breath and hoping above all else that this project is ultimately successful, that is to say; it flies safely.

Time I think that to put the doom and gloom behind us and leave the recriminations as a matter of record.

Here's to XH558 :ok: and a distinguished flying career to come.

[Oscar Duece]

So does anyone know how much the Waltons will sell it to the trust for ?
£2.5m sounds a lot more than originally mentioned.:hmm:

[Dop]

Cool! Only ever saw one of those things fly once before, and didn't even have a camera. I'd love to see one again.
Best of luck to them!

[Philo]

Ah so my efforts were not in vain.
One very happy bunny :D :D :ok: :ok: