Vulcan to the Sky, The End? (Merged)
Sims Fly Virtually
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Used to be 3rd Sand Dune from the Left - But now I'm somewhere else somewhere else.
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't wait to see (and hear!) this next time The "Lad" and I visit an air show during my 2007 vacations in UK - Well Done! 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: About 1 mile from WOD ndb
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
XH558 saved by £500,000 donation from Sir Jack Hayward.
Sir Jack Hayward, 83 year-old owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers, has donated £500k to the project.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../nvulcan01.xml
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../nvulcan01.xml
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Devon
Age: 70
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No retractions from knockers? No rejoicing from supporters? Or are we to hear the siren calls of "I'll believe it when I see it"
Fingers crossed and good luck to everyone working so hard on getting her airborne again
Fingers crossed and good luck to everyone working so hard on getting her airborne again
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: uk
Age: 49
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They have wasted to much money already on this project, people really need to thinking with there head not there heart, its a big aircraft which is going to be one big money pit, even IF it ever gets to the air, why dont the Government help out and spend less on helping out Fu*cking immigrants.
This project needs to be run by Pros's, even if it does not make a profit it will still have to break even, whats the hourly cost of a Vulcan when you take into account, fuel, repairs, insurance, staff, i bet there's not going to be much change out of 10k, how many hours a year will it fly?
This project needs to be run by Pros's, even if it does not make a profit it will still have to break even, whats the hourly cost of a Vulcan when you take into account, fuel, repairs, insurance, staff, i bet there's not going to be much change out of 10k, how many hours a year will it fly?
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: not a million miles from old BKK
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After a period when aviation news has been god-awful - here is something to cheer about.
God bless you Sir Jack. Thank you.
I last saw a Vulcan fly at an airshow at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire in 1960. It was unforgetable. Now we all have a chance to see this wonderful aircraft fly again.
Brilliant!!!
God bless you Sir Jack. Thank you.
I last saw a Vulcan fly at an airshow at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire in 1960. It was unforgetable. Now we all have a chance to see this wonderful aircraft fly again.
Brilliant!!!
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Shoreham
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yesterday's news was just wonderful and we are all grateful to Union Jack Hayward for saving the day.
I can't wait to feel my chest vibrating from the pressure waves as she lifts off from Bruntingthorpe. Hopefully we shall be allowed to fly in on the great day.
I have been fortunate enough to hear many stories from my cousin who was the boss of 617 Squadron in the cold war era, flying the Vulcan. In those days, at least one was airborne at all times with an atomic bomb "strapped 10 feet behind my a**e" as he puts it. His designtated target was Leningrad and the crew were well aware that if the call came to go, they would have insufficient fuel to return to base, but understood that under such circumstances there would be precious little to come back to. Makes you think how lucky we all are that the deterrent worked.
As an aside, I am so pleased that on this forum the comments are all positive on XH558. More than can be said of another one.
Here's to that first flight!
I can't wait to feel my chest vibrating from the pressure waves as she lifts off from Bruntingthorpe. Hopefully we shall be allowed to fly in on the great day.
I have been fortunate enough to hear many stories from my cousin who was the boss of 617 Squadron in the cold war era, flying the Vulcan. In those days, at least one was airborne at all times with an atomic bomb "strapped 10 feet behind my a**e" as he puts it. His designtated target was Leningrad and the crew were well aware that if the call came to go, they would have insufficient fuel to return to base, but understood that under such circumstances there would be precious little to come back to. Makes you think how lucky we all are that the deterrent worked.
As an aside, I am so pleased that on this forum the comments are all positive on XH558. More than can be said of another one.
Here's to that first flight!
CH3CH2OH
Splendid, saw one at a Finningley Airshow quite a few years ago, came in on a slowish and quiet approach then climbed away under power, quite impressive.
A similar experience was watching a Lightning climb vertically under full power when there still used to be some based at Binbrook and they would come and beat up EGNJ from time to time.
Nostalgia's not what it used to be
A similar experience was watching a Lightning climb vertically under full power when there still used to be some based at Binbrook and they would come and beat up EGNJ from time to time.
Nostalgia's not what it used to be
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Coventry, UK
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This project needs to be run by Pros's, even if it does not make a profit it will still have to break even, whats the hourly cost of a Vulcan when you take into account, fuel, repairs, insurance, staff, i bet there's not going to be much change out of 10k, how many hours a year will it fly?
If you meant Pro's and it was just a typo then who would you put in charge of engineering instead of a guy who was with Cisco in the UK when it had 15 employees to someone who left it with 100's of employees? I think yesterday proves that there is a will for this project to succeed unfortunately the previous PR campaign didn't recognise that and put the wrong spin on things.
There is a new fundraising team on it's way based on the team that raised £1.3m when everyone else said it couldn't be done - and before you say, as a supporter I never thought it would be a case of raise money for flight and walk away, I expect to keep giving each year it flies as do Sally B's supporters!! A pro team is in charge - today is Sept 1st and in little over 4 months the Vulcan will fly again!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I see the Torygraph saved the day with raising over £300 000 and Sir Jack's couple of quid. Not a mention of . . .
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vulcan to the Sky
So what! It is just an other aircraft! What about all the other frames that fought the cold war? Shackleton, Valiant, Victor,Comet, Hastings, Varsity, Britannia,Canberra (In all forms). There are many A/C and crews that deserve the same recognition as the Vulcan force, they did there bit but so did many others.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CNX/AGP
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Remember seeing one at an airshow (Woodford I think) in the 1980's. Low pass and then a pull up as the pilot added full climb power. Broke several panes of glass in the hangars.
They don't make 'em like that any more.......
They don't make 'em like that any more.......
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What about all the other frames that fought the cold war? Shackleton, Valiant, Victor,Comet, Hastings, Varsity, Britannia,Canberra (In all forms). There are many A/C and crews that deserve the same recognition as the Vulcan force, they did there bit but so did many others.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: The Midlands
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello Duncand,
Whilst I certainly do not agree with your 'so what' comments, I can certainly understand where you are coming from with regards to the other aircraft and crews.
The simple fact in all of this, is that with the exception of the Canberra, XH558 is the only one of your list that can realistically be returned to flying status. As nice as it would be to return all of the other Cold War aircraft to the skies, unfortunately it is not possible.
Hopefully therefore, XH558 can stand as a testament to all of us who "grew up in the shadow of a mushroom cloud" and go some way towards showing a younger generation, the very real dangers faced every day of that period.
Flipflopman
Whilst I certainly do not agree with your 'so what' comments, I can certainly understand where you are coming from with regards to the other aircraft and crews.
The simple fact in all of this, is that with the exception of the Canberra, XH558 is the only one of your list that can realistically be returned to flying status. As nice as it would be to return all of the other Cold War aircraft to the skies, unfortunately it is not possible.
Hopefully therefore, XH558 can stand as a testament to all of us who "grew up in the shadow of a mushroom cloud" and go some way towards showing a younger generation, the very real dangers faced every day of that period.
Flipflopman
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also don't think the UK ever had nuclear-capable V-bombers in the air at all times 24/7. I think the US did, however, with B-47s/B-52s, at least during the colder periods of the cold war.
Fat Albert
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Wilts, UK
Age: 63
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Despite all those knocking it a Vulcan in the skies again would be an awesome sight and one I look forward to seeing in the not too distant future.
My first posting was Vulcan Major Servicing at RAF St Athan. First real aircraft I worked on was XL 392 which I last saw as a firefighting hulk at RAF Valley.
My first posting was Vulcan Major Servicing at RAF St Athan. First real aircraft I worked on was XL 392 which I last saw as a firefighting hulk at RAF Valley.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I remember sitting on my fathers shoulders and watching and shaking as a Vulcan opened its load bay and climbed away from the crowd. Made a huge impression on me as a six year old and the experience sparked my interest in aviation and led to me becoming a pilot.
The previous generation were inspired by Spitfires and Hurricanes - we had the Vulcan.
Great news! I hope it's still flying when my nipper's old enough for airshows.
The previous generation were inspired by Spitfires and Hurricanes - we had the Vulcan.
Great news! I hope it's still flying when my nipper's old enough for airshows.
Lived in Bramhall from 1956 to 1969 about a mile and a half from Woodford where all the Vulcans were assembled , I remember the trucks carrying large parts such as tails , noses etc, to Avro's from Chadderton . We lived in the Vicarage opposite the Parish Church which must have been a pointer for the Woodford circuit so close to Ringway (EGCC) as it then was . Must have seen them all ! Remember also the engine run-ups loud and clear . Happy days and Good Luck . I would love to see one flying again .
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Dre's mum's house
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dont want to be accused of throwing cold water on this, however, whilst it is feasible that a PPL holder could display the beast, will the CAA require the pilot to be in current flying practice and the holder of an ATPL before they issue a display licence?
How many ex Vulcan pilots would care to display the aircraft, given that they probably haven't flown it for 15 -20 years; and we aren't getting any younger, any of us.
How many ex Vulcan pilots would care to display the aircraft, given that they probably haven't flown it for 15 -20 years; and we aren't getting any younger, any of us.