Southend Vulcan

[rolling20]

May not be the correct place to post this, but I just wanted to share this dire Journo story from my local paper the Evening Echo....

'A MAN has taken to the controls of a Cold War fighter aircraft after outbidding rivals on Ebay.

Keith McBrearty got his hands on £70,000 worth of thrust when he took control of the Avro Vulcan, which is based at Southend Airport.

Sitting in the co-pilot’s seat next to group captain Bill Burnett, Keith was able to feel the raw power of the Vulcan at full thrust, even if the plane never left the runway. '

I dont think its written 'tongue in cheek'...and these people call themselves professionals!

[nacluv]

Thrust - a £ for a lb - sounds about the going rate... :ok:

[HZ123]

Are you sure it is not a play on words. The Vulcan burns a litre a second I was told by one of the group engineers and start up is about £4000 (2006 prices)so maybe he did pay that sum for the thrill. Presume this took place last weekend, it is very impressive I have seen it a number of times over the last 5 years and on one run when Frederick Forsyth took control.

[forget]

start up is about £4000 (2006 prices)

I don't know whether to :p or :{. Do you really believe that?

[nacluv]

I suppose that startup isn't a short duration event. I presume that once started, they would need to be run for a certain about of time to get everything up to temp, oil circulated, everything checked out, etc, before shutting down again. And I bet 1 litre/sec is not at full chat either. So £4000+ could well be possible. Ouch.

[Agaricus bisporus]

£4000. How???

At a litre a second and the current $850 per ton of fuel that's nearly 3 hours.

Even if a Vulcan did burn 2.8 tons per hour at idle, which I don't believe for a second.

[JEM60]

This figure of £4,000 has nothing to do with the cost of fuel, or aircraft costs in general. This opportunity to do this RHS run was auctioned some time ago on 'E' bay, and the guy who won the auction bid £4,000. Simple as that!!!

[HZ123]

By start up I did mean the complete exercise from winding up / taxi / full throttle for 100 yds down the runway and back to the parking stand. I agree it seems unlikely that this is purely fuel. However, if you consider prep, airport charges, perhaps insurance issues for the run it actually seems reasonable.

[655 Crew Chief]

Hi all.

The Vulcan is indeed a thirsty beast but not that thirsty.
We can do two slow taxy's and one high speed one plus all the start up checks and only burn 1000 gallons of fuel, ie 4500 litres at approx 65p a litre = £2925.
We are based at Wellesbourne airfield and run and maintain Vulcan XM655 for the benefit of all so come and see us and have a look around our aircraft.:ok:

[iank]

Rolling 20
May not be the correct place to post this, but I just wanted to share this dire Journo story from my local paper the Evening Echo....

'A MAN has taken to the controls of a Cold War fighter aircraft after outbidding rivals on Ebay.



Lol - you were all busy doing the sums and missed the bit that the OP intended to make you smile about (I think) ...

[JEM60]

Oh no I didn't ;);)

[BEagle]

We are based at Wellesbourne airfield and run and maintain Vulcan XM655 for the benefit of all so come and see us and have a look around our aircraft.

Do indeed go and visit '655 if you get the chance - the team keep her in excellent, original condition!