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herkman
3rd Jun 2007, 22:17
I am hearing a story from a USAF friend, that the Vulcan given to the USAF, may move to the USAFM at Wright Patterson.

A photo I saw sees the aircraft in a hanger, appearing to be complete, but with very bleached paint.

However presuming the aircraft was flown in, does it mean it could be flown just once.

I presume there would be plenty of volunteers to crew the aircraft.

Regards

Col

Like This - Do That
4th Jun 2007, 03:05
The one at [former] Castle AFB in CA? That's been there for a long long time, given the difficulties getting XH558 airworthy ..... sorry, can't see it happening.

Would be nice thought, don't get me wrong.

Tim McLelland
4th Jun 2007, 14:25
Not a chance; if it moves (I assume it's the one at Offut?), it will have to be dismantled and moved by road, and even that's no simple task with an aircraft that doesn't break-down all that much, but I guess it would be easier on American roads and with American haulage.

LowObservable
4th Jun 2007, 14:35
Any redneck with a Ford F350 dualie and a boat trailer...

West Coast
4th Jun 2007, 16:02
"Any redneck with a Ford F350 dualie and a boat trailer"

I'll submit my bid by noon.

PICKS135
4th Jun 2007, 16:19
"Any redneck with a Ford F350 dualie and a boat trailer"

I'll submit my bid by noon.
Today 15:35


Want me to hold your beer :):):):)

Flame Out
4th Jun 2007, 17:08
would it be possible to attempt a "piggyback" similar to Space Shuttle, atop 747?

West Coast
4th Jun 2007, 17:49
Akin to the last words on the redneck airlines CVR:

"Hold my beer and watch this"

GreenKnight121
5th Jun 2007, 00:38
Vulcan XM605 was flown to Castle AFB, near Merced, California.

When Castle AFB closed in 1994, the aircraft collection remained, now incorporated as a non-profit organization called the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc.

In addition to XM605, there is an RB-36H (largest prop-driven bomber ever), a B-47, a B-52, a B-25, a B-29, and much more.
w. w. w. c a s t l e a i r m u s e u m . o r g (http://www.pprune.org/forums/w.%20w.%20w.%20c%20a%20s%20t%20l%20e%20a%20i%20r%20m%20u%20s %20e%20u%20m%20.%20o%20r%20g)

Others in North America:

XM606 - Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City, Louisiana

XM573 - Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha Nebraska
and

XL361 -Goose Bay RAF Base, Canada



As for moving one to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum in Ohio, my quick Google only found M61 Vulcan 20mm "gatling" cannon, Vulcan materials Company, and Vulcan software connected with Wright-Patterson, not an AVRO Vulcan bomber.


As that move would be ~300 miles across Iowa, ~170 miles across Illinois, ~230 miles across Indiana, and 55 miles in Ohio... about 755 miles by road.


I don't think so... unless they bring in the Lego specialists.

Tim McLelland
5th Jun 2007, 10:53
It's not about the distance - obviously that just requires more time. It's more about the way that the Vulcan breaks-down into smaller components. The main centre section is a one-piece "chunk" although you can break it down into smaller components (as they did with the machine in Hendon) but then you effectively end-up with a pile of scrap metal to re-assemble, which is a bit of a shame to say the least! However I guess that if they do move the Offut machine to Wright Patterson, that'll be how they do it. Can't help wondering why they'd want to though, as it's patently not a USAF machine, so it's more appropriately-placed with SAC's history (they did work together after all). Likewise, I believe the aircraft is indoors now so it's not like it even needs to be moved...

Mmmmnice
5th Jun 2007, 19:25
Is the Castle Air Museum the one with a Blackbird at the front gate? If so, it's the same one my family and I stumbled over a few years ago. A fantastic collection and it was strange to shelter under a Vulcan wing from the 100F + sun! Eventually I was dragged away by the wife and kids who could only keep up the pretence of interest for a couple of hours!!

Lancasterman
25th Jan 2009, 13:45
Barksdale Air museum example is under threat!!!:mad:

Just seen this local paper report posted on another forum, not looking hopefull http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/images/smilies/frown.gif


Quote:
British bomber may soon be relic of the past
Historic Vulcan not on list to keep at base
By John Andrew Prime • [email protected] • January 24, 2009 2:00 am


A bat-winged British Vulcan bomber, a rare display at the 8th Air Force
Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base, could be destroyed if efforts to improve
the museum fall short.


The bomber, a gift from Her Majesty's Government to the Air Force in 1983,
is not among those slated to be kept if the local museum, now in its 30th
year, fails to pass a pending review. The museum failed an initial
accreditation by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, its parent body,
in 2007 and will face a repeat inspection, possibly later this year.
"We're not going to lose them," said Lt. Col. Bob Fournier, 2nd Bomb Wing
Director of Staff, who has attended 8th Air Force Museum Association
meetings, closely overseeing work to improve the facility. He noted
improvement to the building and airplanes at its air park. "They just get
better and better."
Col. Robert Wheeler, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, stressed the important lessons
the museum can convey.
"This part of history that 8th Air Force (Museum) provides is a huge piece
of what we teach our young folks, and our folks that are even older, to not
make the same mistakes of the past," he said. And, he added, it is "an
opportunity for those young kids ... to see through (veterans') eyes, to get
that twinkle going, for their dreams for the future,"
The British Mark II Vulcan bomber was one of a trio of "V Class" bombers
that ruled the skies over the United Kingdom for close to 30 years. With its
sibling airplanes the Valiant and the Victor, and with its U.S. cousins, the
B-47, B-52 and B-58 bombers, the Vulcan helped form a protective nuclear
shield throughout the Cold War.
In May 1982, several of the aircraft flew an epic 13,000-mile mission to
bomb the Port Stanley runway on the Falkland Islands, which had been
occupied by Argentina earlier that year. It was the longest aerial combat
mission in history until January 1991, when seven B-52s from Barksdale
opened Operation Desert Storm with a nonstop mission to and from the Middle
East, a mission now known as Operation SECRET SQUIRREL.
The plane at Barksdale was delivered by then Vice Air Marshal Michael Knight
and a select crew on June 9, 1982, just a few months after the Falklands
mission. Knight later became the British equivalent of the chief of staff of
the U.S. Air Force.
The gift to Barksdale marked the close association between the U.S. 8th Air
Force and the Royal Air Force, which dates back to World War II and
continues to this day with a British liaison officer resident at the local
base, which is home to 8th Air Force headquarters.
Fans of the James Bond movies may remember the Vulcan as the British bomber
that was hijacked in "Thunderball."
"I think it's a travesty and I think (the British) would consider it a
travesty," said local historian and military author Gary Joiner, an
Anglophile who received doctorates from Her Royal Highness Princess
Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, at St. Martin's College, Lancaster
University.
The Vulcan at the museum took part in several "Bomb Comp" events at
Barksdale and also flew in air shows.
"I was at the base when it flew in and did its aerial demonstration and made
every eye pop," Joiner said. Its wanton destruction "would be an affront to
the crown and the people of Great Britain."
That was echoed by a Briton, John D. Richards, 61.
"I personally think it is sad that the United Kingdom, having given the USA
a present of the Vulcan, that they ... are now planning to destroy it," he
wrote. "I personally feel this to be a slur on our country. The fact that,
of all the Vulcan B2s built, this one is the only one I never saw flying has
nothing to do with it. "
However, its destruction is not a given. The 2nd Bomb Wing must request the
review after it has had a chance to revamp the museum, and it is working
hard to do so. The museum's physical plant has been cleaned, a workshop has
been added, a fenced yard is now available for refurbishment of airplanes
and volunteers have been cleaning and restoring the Vulcan, B-52s and other
aircraft.
"Here at the Air Combat Command History Office, we still have hopes that the
Barksdale museum will be able to pull it together and give their static
display aircraft proper care," said David Bragg, staff curator with ACC
headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, Va. "I am not aware of any immediate
plans to take any of their aircraft away, although I can see it happening
unless the aircraft get proper care real soon. The National Museum will not
let the aircraft rot away when there is a better solution."
As for the fate of the Vulcan, he said, "the British Government probably
would not be consulted. When they gave the aircraft to the Barksdale museum,
in actuality they were giving an unconditional gift to the U.S. Air Force.
But again, if the aircraft is being properly cared for there will be no
justification for moving it."
Spokesmen for the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, also say the loss is not a given, although
the Vulcan is on their 2007 report as one of about half the display aircraft
at Barksdale to be deactivated.
That "was one recommendation but the final decisions will be made by the ACC
historian," wrote National Museum spokesman Rob Bardua.

Tim McLelland
25th Jan 2009, 14:18
They sound almost as stupid as our museums. Seems that preserving history only depends on the whims and personal tastes of the people in charge at any given time. Nice to know that there are so many self-appointed people and bodies around who decide for us what is worth preserving and what isn't, ain't it?!

off centre
25th Jan 2009, 16:52
Indeed.

Imagine the Yanks having nearly as many, or more, Vulcans on display as the UK does. Then deciding that they know best on how to allocate their resources. And that they might choose, given a finite budget to highlight their own history over Britain's.

Ungrateful sods.

How much US tax do you pay Tim?



edit: tongue in cheek, BEagle, tongue in cheek. The previous correspondent is having a go at the Yanks from his perch on high.

B Fraser
25th Jan 2009, 17:10
There's an urban myth that a Vulcan on exercise made a low pass over the Pentagon after masking it's presence on radar by shadowing a scheduled airliner.

Is there a grain of truth in the story ?

mr fish
25th Jan 2009, 17:18
so, as we have seen, vulcan is as popular in the states as in the uk.
given the current situation regarding future flying in this country, is there any chance one of the big airworthy groups in america could take her on?
i for one would be sad to see her go but surely she belongs in the air!!!
the airworthy one i mean:O

BEagle
25th Jan 2009, 18:37
Ungrateful sods.

NOT true - do some research and see how much work the VOLUNTEER workers have done on XM606. It looks pristine, thanks to the efforts of the 2nd Mission Support Group at Barksdale - if you look at the Shreveport Times website, there's a photo of their Colonel rubbing down the airframe prior to its repaint.

"Any redneck with a Ford F350 dualie and a boat trailer"

I'll submit my bid by noon.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/Internet/zxzxz.jpg

Have you got the 'Full Redneck' option pack on yours, Westy? 108" CB aerial, roof spots, shotgun rack, one-eyed 'bird dawg' - and a giggling half-witted 'good 'ole boy' called Billie-Bo Bob clutching a jam jar of 100 proof 'shine?

mr fish, there is no earthly way that '558 could be flown to the USA.

barnstormer1968
26th Jan 2009, 07:39
There is a fiction book around a similar story to this, it is called "The penetrators" by Anthony Grey, or Gray. It was not very exciting to read, but at least was published back in the days when it would have been possible to do it. If you are interested, I could dig it out and pass on the ISBN number

BEagle
26th Jan 2009, 07:58
B Fraser, the story probably stems from the Skyshield exercises of the early 1960s.

I doubt whether the Vulcan would have mixed with civilian traffic as all civilian flying was grounded for the exercises. Perhaps someone was thinking of the 27 Sqn aircraft which landed at Plattsburgh AFB, New York, after giving NORAD's defending F-102s the slip?

See http://www.pprune.org/1303092-post422.html

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/Internet/zxzxz.jpg

JEM60
26th Jan 2009, 08:45
Been to Wright Pat. twice. I don't recall seeing any aircraft at all there that didn't serve with the American Forces, so the relevance of a Vulcan there makes no sense at all. Not going to happen IMHO

tac2ils
26th Jan 2009, 09:25
JEM60

Hate to say it, but perhaps you need to go for a third look :ok:


http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-061222-016.pdf

Fairly certain there's some that didn't serve with American Forces - and for the pedants, captured axis aircraft being assessed isn't the same as "serving".

8-15fromOdium
26th Jan 2009, 10:25
That's sad new about Barksdale AFB museum (http://www.8afmuseum.com/)if it comes true - the USAF must run the same beancounter course as us.

I was part of a team out there in 2000 and the museum had a cracking little education program going for local schools (which we got involved with using the Vulcan). At the time the aircraft was a bit sunbleached and shabby looking, but from this photo (from the 8th Air Force Museum website) they seem to have done a fair bit of work tiding it up. Here's hoping they survive the review.

http://www.8afmuseum.com/Avro_Vulcan.jpg

JEM60
26th Jan 2009, 16:00
Tac2ILS.
Whoops. Senior memory lapse. I've even got them on my video!! Cheers for that!!