Vulcan to the Sky, The End? (Merged)

[Winco]

Got the following from HLF today:

Thank you for your email and I have recorded your support for the Vulcan XH558. As discussed, I confirm that we are currently in discussion with the Trust as to how it can best take the project forward.
Regards
Clare Henderson
Information Manager
Heritage Lottery Fund
Direct line: 020 7591 6044

Clearly it's not over yet, and I would urge as many as possible to continue to write, phone or e mail the HLF.
I'll keep my fingers crossed!
The Winco

[johnfairr]

I caught the tail end of coverage of 558 on ITV London Today at about 1:15pm that said it was due to fly over London next year, if they can raise another £1M in the next 4 weeks. Martin Withers was also interviewed on site. At least it has now had some more public coverage that might jog a few people into action. The item might well be repeated this evening, 6ish probably

jf

[GonzoXL5]

I like the idea someone had of talking to Bruce Dickinson.

Iron Maiden benefit gig on the cards perhaps ?

[The Rocket]

Robert,

Congratulations on an excellent, informative post. Hopefully this will clear things up and allow us all to concentrate on doing what we can to help this magnificent aircraft return to the air.

I've just added my little 2p worth to the HLF, fingers crossed

[forget]

Trivial question at this stage perhaps, but what is the intended colour scheme? I'm assuming that it's the only sensible one, white undersides, upper camoflage (full gloss) and black radome. As in last factory deliveries, 1964. Nothing else will cut the mustard Mind you that's only my opinon.

[Tim McLelland]

There isn't one - the aircraft is unchanged from it's pre-restoration state so it doesn't look any different although it is of course completely refurbished. Actually we did this a few pages back...

[forget]

Originally Posted by Tim McLelland

............. I'd be happier with dark green, medium sea grey and white, complete with red, white and blue insignia and a black radome - just like "proper" Vulcans should be

We agree on that then - but where did I see a charge for painting - Cranfield??

[Tim McLelland]

It seems that comment referred to internal work (Cranwell), not the external colour scheme

[BobIvison]

Discovery Wings tonight has been showing the Vulcan story finishing off with the 558 farewell show - surely we can get Discovery to give us some coverage!!

Keep up the good fight

[whitworth]

The colour scheme will remain as is ( albeit slightly patchy ), up to first flight. After that, who knows

[Tim McLelland]

Can I remind everyone that we now have a feature on Airscene's site, complete with an automated email which you can fill-in and send directly.

So far over 700 people have sent emails, so hopefully HLF will be getting the message by now!

Tell all your friends - send the emails and maybe we can persuade HLF to provide the cash that TVOC needs.

www.airsceneuk.org.uk

Sorry to the Pprune bosses - I wouldn't normally advertise another web site but in this case I trust we all agree that this is an important matter

[Blacksheep]

That site was very well written and sets out pretty clearly how much has been spent and how much more is needed. I don't see how commercial organizations can do any work for less than the proper commercial price unless they're sponsors and a total project cost of 3.95 million (2.7 down and 1.25 to go) to get XH558 airborne sounds about right to me.

I also agree that if the old girl can be wrested from the hands of Pleming and Felicity et al and placed under proper management by people who know what they're doing, there's a reasonable chance of getting proper sponsorship and keeping her airborne. For a while anyway.

I may be a miserable old doomsaying git, but it cost me nothing to fill in the form and click the button.

BTW. I reckon they need Tim on the new PR team.

[dwhcomputers]

Originally Posted by Tim McLelland

Can I remind everyone that we now have a feature on Airscene's site, complete with an automated email which you can fill-in and send directly.
So far over 700 people have sent emails, so hopefully HLF will be getting the message by now!
Tell all your friends - send the emails and maybe we can persuade HLF to provide the cash that TVOC needs.
www.airsceneuk.org.uk
Sorry to the Pprune bosses - I wouldn't normally advertise another web site but in this case I trust we all agree that this is an important matter

Tim
as someone who now tops up their pension by selling laptops at computer fairs may I have your permission to use your article to produce a powerpoint presentation to display at the fairs

[Tim McLelland]

Originally Posted by dwhcomputers

Tim
as someone who now tops up their pension by selling laptops at computer fairs may I have your permission to use your article to produce a powerpoint presentation to display at the fairs

Of course - do whatever you can, any publicity is good publicity!

I've just received a communication from HLF and I've written-back to seek a clear outline of their position with regard to the future of the project.

I have of course pointed-out that unless they step-in with more cash, their original investment will be seen to have been completely wasted, therefore it makes perfect sense to at least fund the project to flight status, so that we can see once and for all whether any sponsorship is likely to be forthcoming. Likewise, I've also pointed-out that unless HLF provides sufficient funds, the aircraft cannot even be removed from Bruntingthorpe (to IWM) and so it will be left in external storage to slowly rot. Either way it's not going to be much of an advert for HLF!

I will of course pass-on any more information as and when I receive any

[beamer]

Drain the oils, give it a coat of paint and stick it in a hangar for evermore. It's not going to fly and neither is Concorde - endex !

Incoming....................................................

[iank]

[quote = beamer] - Drain the oils, give it a coat of paint and stick it in a hangar for evermore. [/quote]

Nice try! Are you going to stump up the hangar rent then?

[Tombstone]

Plenty of optimism floating around, I do hope it lasts more than another 16 days...

My thoughts are still the same. Sadly, I don't think it won't fly this year or any other year. The costings are enormous and there is insufficient enthusiasm from the financial sector to support it.

Sorry Tim, just my humble opinion.

[Tim McLelland]

Just what I was thinking ian! - would be nice if the more cynical message-posters could at least bother to read the preceding message before adding another pointless comment?!

Tombstone, yep, your opinion is noted. You may be right but it is now clear that lots of us want to at least be satisfied that we have exhausted every possible avenue, rather than just sitting-back and giving-up. I wouldn't want to spend heaven-knows how many years wondering "what if"...

[brickhistory]

[QUOTE=Tim McLelland]Just what I was thinking ian! - would be nice if the more cynical message-posters could at least bother to read the preceding message before adding another pointless comment?!
QUOTE]

WTF made you the arbiter of what's pointless or not?

"Military Aircrew A forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here."

And where do you fit in here? If none of the above, then perhaps a bit more 'neck in' is called for?

[Tim McLelland]

I'd venture to suggest that your message fits nicely into the "pointless" category too!

If you can't say anything constructive, could I/we ask why bother saying anything at all?