Vulcan: last chance to see...

[ShotOne]

A reminder that this weekend, 27/28 June the Vulcan will be doing its final flypast of sites connected with the aircraft and V force. It's final visit home to Woodford is scheduled for 1509 Saturday, sadly the factory building was demolished last month.

[JointShiteFighter]

I can't make it to either of the locations, but I will be seeing her on the 23rd of August in Bournemouth.

If she's serviceable. :rolleyes:

[Valiantone]

I don't think they have said when its last flight will be yet but I guess Finningley will be busy.

[NutLoose]

Last show listed at the moment is Cosby, one of my favourites, the routing and turn points are listed here. Open the maps and zoom in, you an guesstimate the Estimated times at each point from the main route timings.

http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/563632-vulcan-detailed-routes-weekend-online.html

[Valiantone]

I wonder if they can squeeze at least another farewell tour out of it yet. After the weekend or does this say ah that's all folks


V1

[salad-dodger]

Last show listed at the moment is Cosby, one of my favourites, the routing and turn points are listed here. Open the maps and zoom in, you an guesstimate the Estimated times at each point from the main route timings.

Vulcan detailed routes for weekend online
Nutloose why not just delete your duplicate thread and add the link into this one.

S-D

[NutLoose]

Where is the fun in that?.... :p

[dazdaz1]

Due to fly at the Eastbourne air show Sat 15/7/15 What I'm really looking forward to is the Norwegian Mig15

[Mascot PPL]

Amazing crowds near the Avro golf club to see the old girl go past. Moist eyed I must say as applause broke out as she headed off into the sky towards Congleton. Looked like she totally beat up Manchester Airport on the way to Woodford - classic Vulcan pull up and wing-over visible from where I was. Respect to Manchester ATC for fitting that into her schedule between Barton and Woodford.

[standardset]

1505 on schedule, down the active runway fairly high speed and terrific wingover to the left and on course for Woodford. Also very noise and engine friendly, I think they enjoyed themselves.

[NutLoose]

Did two runs at East Mids interspersed with a couple of wing overs, have pics :)
Traffic was murder and people were everywhere.

[phil9560]

Saw her at Man .Magnificent.

Then wished I'd gone to Woodford because she seemed to stick around there a while longer.

I actually got a bit teary...Lot of pollen in the air:ok:

[Mascot PPL]

Lots of pollen at Woodford as well Phil :-)
We got two fly pasts there but you got a much better Wing over at Manchester.

[mopardave]

saw her at Elvington.......magnificent.......but I wanted more! I suspect she was heavy given that Elvington was her first "port of call". Gonna miss her! sad to think that no amount of money could keep her flying after this season. many thanks to the crew!!!:sad:

[phil9560]

Didn't really expect the wingover from an aircraft of her mature years.

Life in her yet apparently:)

[Brian W May]

My abiding memory of them in service . . . was the noise. I did the guided tour in the hangar at Goose, tiny inside.

Being asked if I want to see/hear it again is a bit like asking me if I wish to go and see a Mark 1 Ford Escort . . . nay, nay and thrice Nay.

Good luck to the guys, but I for one, won't be at all sorry when it's flown its last trip.

Adopting callsign 'Party Pooper' . . .

[phil9560]

And what is wrong with MK1 Ford Escorts ??

[stevef]

Very impressive at East Mids. :D Took ten minutes off work to watch it.
Full circle - I can clearly remember them at the 60s airshows when Lightnings, Canberras and Hunters lit up the crowds as well.
That Vulcan intake howl sends shivers down the spine.

[bill2b]

Well me and my wife went to Newark in our Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9 V6 which is not quite a Mk 1 Escort as I sold my one last year,
The crowd was impressive and it was great the way Newark Air Museum directed the cars into the overspill car park field the poor bloke in the old RAFP uniform must have been roasting.
Lovely to see this beautiful aircraft doing a few passes and after the superb wing over it all went silent as she left us, quite emotional really.
I was glad to see the volunteer Newark museum marshallers had collection buckets on the way out and the one we passed had a large bundle of notes in his hand which we added our fiver to. cracking visit.

[mikkie4]

OF to SOUTHEND tomorrow for 1 last look

[NutLoose]

East Mids
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff321/taylortony/EMA/Vulcan-2_zpsup22s13d.jpg
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff321/taylortony/EMA/Vulcan-1_zpspf7cfuly.jpg
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff321/taylortony/EMA/Vulcan-7_zpsx3dsukli.jpg
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff321/taylortony/EMA/Vulcan-5_zpslkdyxgoz.jpg
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff321/taylortony/EMA/Vulcan-3_zpswr2e11ct.jpg
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff321/taylortony/EMA/Vulcan-4_zpsavggto7m.jpg
http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff321/taylortony/EMA/Vulcan-6_zps2eclzwcg.jpg

[O-P]

Great photos Nutty, let her now rest peacefully, quiet and safe.


She served her time and now needs to relax a while....just like me.

[Wander00]

Ghost of Roly Falk...........................

[lauriebe]

bill2b, "the poor bloke in the old RAFP uniform must have been roasting" was my younger brother who is now the groundsman at NAM. In a previous life he spent 22 years as an RAF Policeman and is now active on the re-enactment scene. :)

The Museum were not expecting anything like the numbers of people that actually turned up for the Vulcan display. I suspect, looking at various reports on the Interweb, that it was much the same at all the venues 558 visited yesterday. Have seen some great photos and video footage on several sites particularly Twitter.

The buckets you saw were to collect funds for projects at the Museum and the VTS. See the link:

XH558 Thank You (http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/XH558_Thank_You)

[Gannet Driver]

What follows was written for a Naval Forum, but it seems appropriate here in view of the Vulcan's final summer - and what magnificent photos above!


Visiting Vulcan




It was 1965, and HMS Centaur's final summer. This meant an agreeable Med cruise despite plenty of hard work for a slightly smaller than usual Air Group. It included spells in Malta and Gib, several interesting visits elsewhere, a NATO exercise and an unusual day with a Vulcan.

Much of what took place with the Vulcan during the morning involved interceptions at high level, with Sea Vixens departing and returning. Later in the day, almost all aircraft had been struck down with just a few beyond the safety line forr'ard when the Vulcan asked to come and do a fly-by.

Within minutes, what seemed like most of the Ship's Company was on the Flight Deck, that big white bat was always a crowd-puller. My memories of the arrival and initial fly-by are a bit vague, but I'll never forget the finale.

One of the pilots must have done a Fleet Air Arm exchange at some point. On the Flight Deck we couldn't hear the radio exchanges but it was clear they were doing a standard carrier join. In from astern and up the starboard side close to the ship at 400 feet.

10 seconds ahead of the ship and then a port break onto the downwind leg. Wheels down, flap down, finals turn and there it was - huge and looming at us, they had clearly picked up the mirror sight and were coming straight down the Glideslope......

We stood silent, rooted with fascination as it got bigger. When the Vulcan reached about 100 feet a voice said "Bloody 'ELL!" and there was a concerted dive for the catwalks.

At the last moment, the Vulcan lazily lifted the starboard wing to avoid the island, opened up all four Olympus engines to full chat, flew along the port side of the angle just above the highest object (the Mirror Sight) and then pulled up as close to the vertical as it could. The sight was impressive, the noise was bone-shaking.

The Vulcan leveled off, waggled its wings and departed. And about a thousand of us climbed sheepishly out of the catwalks.......


With thanks for the memory,


Mike

[goofer3]

Well what a disappointment that was. Parked along the flightpath with scores over vehicles and what did we see? A speck in the distance about 5 - 6 miles away...................:ugh:

[Kitbag]

And early at Marham, by about 10 min

I demand a re-run �

[NutLoose]

Gooffer, the flight path did appear to have a few doglegs in it, no doubt to be able to correct their timings.

[Jackw106]

This clip is the best I can do

http://youtu.be/hz9zqS3tQ1Y

[Gannet Driver]

This just in from a naval friend:-

The last Vulcan on one of her last tours, to date this is the best clip I can find but there are plenty more on Youtube and Facebook.
"Published on 28 Jun 2015. Here is a short film from the Doncaster leg of the "Salute to the V Force" UK tour performed by Vulcan XH558 on 27th June 2015, only months before the aircraft retires from flight."
"Thousands of people turned out to watch the aircraft at venues throughout the north of England on day 1 of this tour, ending with a fabulous mini-display of RAF Finningley Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBXgbN4KKQ8

Displays / Tours - Vulcan To The Sky (http://www.vulcantothesky.org/appearances.html)

From: Home | Vulcan To The Sky (http://www.vulcantothesky.org/)

Mike

[BEagle]

Arrived at W-M today at 09:45, then drove to the parking spot to chat with the '655 MaPS gang. First request was for me to give 5 interested Oxford ATC cadets a cockpit tour, which they seemed to enjoy. Also gave me a reason to get out of the rain.... Usual questions: "How do you drop a bomb", "Have you ever crashed"...but at least they didn't ask about 'comfort facilities'. I admire their enthusiasm, especially since the RAF cannot even sort out glider maintenance requirements these days, so very few of them have yet had a chance to fly.

The rain cleared as the morning went on, but it was still rather cold and windy. However, hundreds and hundreds of people turned up as the '558 overflight ToT approached. The VTTS team kept us informed of '558's progress - then there was an excited hush as we spotted Phil and his crew running in from Coventry. A couple of graceful turns and a little gentle Olympus 'whispering' :E, before the ac headed off towards Silverstone.

That so many people came out on such a cold, rather dreary day is a true testament to the 'Vulcan effect'!

Thanks, everyone!

And bolleaux to those miseries who prefer aircraft to live in museums...:ugh:

[Herod]

Pure coincidence (honest) grandson and I were at Hendon today. Only the one pass unfortunately, but a stirring sight nonetheless.

And bolleaux to those miseries who prefer aircraft to live in museums... Agreed, and my vote goes to Bruntingthorpe, where she'll at least be able to run.

[smujsmith]

Eeee Mr Beagle, you are absolutely correct. They just don't build em like that any more. The retirement of 558 will be a sad day, and having one in the Cold War exhibition, I see no reason to add to the inventory. If there's fatigue life left in the aircraft, I hope that somehow we can find the money to keep it going. It's certainly more relevant to Britain than the Indian space programme, oh dear, I'm drifting again. Spot on post sir, and well done with the future servicemen and women !

Smudge :ok:

[Dysonsphere]

Its the engines that are the problem none left and Rolls Royce wont support them anymore.

[ShotOne]

Not just that; she'll be the lead aircraft in fatigue life by over 10% which is a major issue. And it is planned she'll still be able to do hi-speed taxi runs

[Valiantone]

I may still be a failed entrant to the RAF party, but I grew up on these coming in off the Lincs coast on approach to Scampton and Waddington in the 70s and early 80s.....

Watching 558 beats reading the carp that appears on the spotters forums and social these days and listening to the pond life that exists because the V Force didn't have to do the real job.


Thanks go to the guys that did this for real. And yes I have had several large glasses of timmy taylor tonight

[JointShiteFighter]

I'd rather see the old girl airborne again in 2016 instead of doing fast taxi's..... but all good things must come to an end.

Great images, NL. What camera settings were you using? And what lens please?

[rolling20]

As I waited for the beautiful sight to appear down at Southend Airport, my mind drifted back to the summer of 78 (at least I think it was). I was out on my bike one evening, pedalling past the airport, when out of the blue came a Vulcan smack down the centre of the runway (24) at low level.
It was an unbelievable sight ,as it then roared away in a climbing turn into the sunset.
A man standing next to me told me his son was the pilot and he had been waiting a while as his son had told him he was coming. I never knew if that was true, but wondered if some Pruner may have some more information of that night? The said gent told me they were 'testing the radar'.
Apart from the BoB Lanc landing there once , it was the only time in the late 70's that the RAF ever visited IIRC.

[Ramshornvortex]

BEagle said:
That so many people came out on such a cold, rather dreary day is a true testament to the 'Vulcan effect'!
The MaPS team collected £2,100 in donations from the sizeable and appreciative crowd at Wellesbourne and have passed on half of the amount collected to VTTST to support the remaining flights of their final display season. The remainder of the donations will be used to continue to keep '655 alive and in taxyable condition.

And bolleaux to those miseries who prefer aircraft to live in museums...Hear, hear :D

[Wander00]

Given that "engines" are the major limitation, would it have made a difference if they had not wrecked two with FOD?

[BEagle]

Wander00 wrote: Given that "engines" are the major limitation, would it have made a difference if they had not wrecked two with FOD?

Well, at a guess, I'd say that it probably didn't help......:rolleyes:

[Ramshornvortex]

I understand that all three Authorities - design, engine and maintenance - have decided that the time is right to withdraw their support....

[NutLoose]

I'd rather see the old girl airborne again in 2016 instead of doing fast taxi's..... but all good things must come to an end.

Great images, NL. What camera settings were you using? And what lens please?


Canon 1DX with a Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS II USM Lens


at about 1/200 sec 200mm at about F8

Not my best pictures ever, in fact pretty dire in my eyes, but still trying to get the hang of this camera body, though I do better with my Canon 50D

[JointShiteFighter]

Thanks for that.

[reds & greens]

Hey NL
I'll do you a deal, - you stick with the 50D and I'll take that scabby 1DX off your hands...
"about 1/200 sec, about f8"?

[NutLoose]

Varied per picture., some were slower at about 1/60th of a second, the aperture varied too, I was late on parade so stuffed it up changing the settings about, I would normally use aperture priority at about F 8.0 and fast speeds, like 1/1000 which is where I should have been, I even forgot to reset the lens focal distance as it was still set to close focal distance and 1.2M to infinity and not 2.5 to infinity... Doh!!!


Just need to practice with it and work out everything by trial, such as the multiple focus settings, not even played with the HD movie mode yet.


Still, when the camera lens combination can produce stuff like this, I'm happy.... R&G I think i'll hang onto it ;)


http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff321/taylortony/Twycross/Twycross%20Zoo-096_zps0za3rx97.jpg


Oh and it's called a pink backed Pelican, in case you are wondering.. :)

[Arfur Dent]

Thank God for all that - I thought you were going to say "iPhone 6"!! Great pictures - good on ya!:ok:

[CoffmanStarter]

Nutty ... I hope you took that Pelicans name as he is clearly improperly dressed without his CFS Tie ;)

[MAINJAFAD]

Given that "engines" are the major limitation, would it have made a difference if they had not wrecked two with FOD?

Not really if memory serves the project only had 10 years flying life in it anyway as that was the projected flying life of the 8 zero life engines they had at the start of the project. One engine already had issues with the bearings as an excessive amount of metal chips had been found in the oil system's chip detectors, while of course both engines on one side got trashed when they converted silicon gel desiccant into glass in 2012. Therefore they have been lucky to get the extra three years out of it after the 2012 incident.

[taxydual]

Here's a way to raise cash for engines. Drop in on a wedding.

Oh, Vulcan crews and bridesmaids.................perhaps not.

Doncaster Vulcan photobombs seaside couple?s wedding - South Yorkshire Times (http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/news/local/doncaster-vulcan-photobombs-seaside-couple-s-wedding-1-7334316)

[1.3VStall]

Does anyone know when the old girl will display for the last time? The Southport Air Show website is saying that she will display there in September.

[Coltishall. loved it]

Weather at Norwich airport in morn was overcast. But as the time got nearer
it brightened up. Decided to take the bike "with an engine" down there.
Was gridlock city. Very emotional moment. Managed to get there 5 mins
before she arrived. Hats of to all involved

[NutLoose]

She is down as Cosby as the last one on the site.... Damn, my favourite and a sleeper of a show... Just worried about the traffic now...

See

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/appearances.html

[bike2lv]

Don't know if this has already been posted, but is still worthwhile if it has been.. https://www.facebook.com/andrea.maley1/videos/1010572575620208/ nice low-level flying. Thx Andrea whoever you are.