Vulcan 903

On behalf of VTTS I asked Virgin Group (I had a face to face with RB's CEO)and also the MD of Virgin Atlantic. It does not sit in the profile of Virgin and they do not need brand awareness in this country due to organic growth of the brand being a GB brand.

Virgin have just entered into a big deal to sponsor the London Marathon from 2010 so they are tied up for the time being.

Money is out there, but not the one or two big companies wanting to plough in a million each into what is at the end of the day - was the original WMD.

I know we love the aircraft, the sound, you name it, but we are a niche bunch of boys and girls when you look at GB as a whole.

Gulf4uk

looking at the general Scene there may be many company's looking for
cash themselves to keep going .Donations to many things could be hit
think its a case of take whatever is offered . Talk of Mr virgin he
like many could end up in a pickle we just don't know . could be 6 months
or years before things get better

Tony

The Real Slim Shady

Unfortunately the main players in this project are ex - military and they aren't necessarily businessmen, hence, the project will struggle to be viable.

Vulcan 903

I would tend to disagree.
Ex serviceman FLY the aircraft which is good news. Martin was flying with Zoom, Kevin flys with VA and David oversee's the VOC air crew.

The management/office/admin are a mix of people from different work streams (worded carefully!)

The Trustees come from areas of industry, regulation and politics. It would be nice to hear from these guy's at some point as it's up to them if the charity continues to operate with no "comfort blanket" of cash reserves.

Mr Branson though has made lots of money, he has also lost a fair bit as well, but he is a public icon and having met him, he's a nice bloke as well!

robin

Hmm

You might think that - I couldn't possibly comment.....

hurn

The Vulcan has finally been reprieved of exposure to the elements and put back in the hangar for the winter.

MarinEng

I know that funding has been batted around here a lot, but if the Brit public can raise £3 million to build a steam loco by asking for subscriptions at the rate of a pint of beer a week, surely the same can be done for XH 558?

QUOTE:
At the core of the plan was a fundraising idea in which supporters were encouraged to donate the monthly equivalent of the price of a pint of beer per week - about £1.25 in north-east England back then.
UNQUOTE.

See BBC NEWS | UK | Beer, steam speed - and money

It is possible that this has already been suggested or even attempted, but I am not aware of it and it is just a thought for consideration.

ZH875

"The team behind the recently restored Vulcan Bomber has said the aircraft could be grounded forever unless further funding of £1m is guaranteed."

BBC NEWS | England | Leicestershire | Vulcan bomber team asks for £1m

JEM60

According to 'Aeroplane' a couple of days ago, costs for next year are an estimated £1.9 million..................................

Tempsford

Game over!

Guest 112233

When I first came to Cambs , I spoke to a Vulcan Skipper on the platform at Bury St Edmunds at 10. 30 AM on a wet Feb morning - He was pissed out of what was left of his mind. He told me that the plane was fantastic to fly, but the memories of his service at Scampton on B2's and the stress involved haunted him to the day. Support for Tornado (loco) is a representation of the growing (and slightly mis remembered ) nostalga for the days of Steam. The Vulcan (yes Im a fan of the thing), may, for a huge number of people, nurture memories perhaps sub conciously, of the days of the Cuban Missile Crisis (I was too young to understand - the true references of fear, aluded to by people at the time.) - Its not realistic in these days of post "WMD" and the horror that that miasma has resulted in - to expect people without direct experence and understanding of the operation of the Vulcan, to contribute to its flying future. Sorry. bye to the Vulcan as a flying exhibit.

Flying Signman

OK...... all those who wish to see a Flying Vulcan - here is your chance!

Vulcan to the Sky Trust - Avro Vulcan Bomber XH558 - Vulcan Operating Company


Just £5.58 from 10% of the 1.5 million of those who have enjoyed her presence this year will ensure she flies. If you can afford more, that is GREAT!

Looking at it like that - it is an easy target to hit.

Please spread the word.
Many thanks.

JEM60

This constant 'if so many people donated so much etc' really has been done to death by now, and in truth, I have posted the same thing myself in the past.
It becomes increasingly apparent that that sort of thing is simply not going to happen, for people are notoriously bad at putting their hands in their pockets. Having seen it, they are probably satisfied, and not necessarily interested in seeing it again, at their expense.
I saw it at Duxford, earlier this year. and. whilst agreeing that 'the Vulcan has delighted 1.5 million people at Airshows this year', a lot of them were 'delighted' simply because they were at the show anyway. At Duxford, after it's display, obviously very muted compared to it's RAF displays, for various reasons, I overheard several people, my wife included, who were questioning what all the fuss was about as regards this aircraft.
It seems to me [an enthusiast] that the only people interested in the Vulcan are enthusiasts, not the general public, and those of us who have seen it are no longer prepared to finance it. Nothing lasts for ever.

hurn

I wouldn't agree. The pledge system seemed to work before when funds were needed, and that was before the thing had even flown.
I'd rather pay now to keep it flying at airshows than let it just become a one season wonder.

Again I'd disagree. A LOT of people went to shows mainly to see the Vulcan.
Farnborough was jam packed, and the amount of people heading for the exit AFTER it had flown its display was astounding.
I also heard plenty of groans at airshows when it was unable to appear after going u/s.

Indeed. The display was very tame compared to years gone by, but with good reasons. Hopefully that will change in future once the necessary spar work is carried out.
Another problem with places like Duxford is you only get to see the aircraft in the air. It flies in, displays and leaves.
At events where its on the ground on static display, and able to take-off/land, you get the whole experience of seeing it and hearing it close-up, which as we all know is quite awe inspiring.

Tim McLelland

I have to admit that even as a person with a considerable interest in the Vulcan, even I have become so bored with the 558 saga that I rarely bother reading the various Vulcan threads on the enthusiast sites. There's really nothing esle to be said about the subject which hasn't already been said time and time again. As has been said above, the basic truth is that aeroplane enthusiasts want to see 558 fly but the general public couldn't care less. Likewise, the other truth is that companies don't want to throw sponsorship at the aircraft because they can't cover her in some ridiculous corporate livery. You can't blame them - what possible benefit would they get from sponsorship?

Clearly, no miracle donor is going to appear so it will be a struggle for the aircraft to appear next year. I hope 558 does fly again but I think we've all heard the "this could be the last chance" statements too many times now. If the situation really is that bleak, I just hope that TVOC will have the good sense to get the aircraft out of the UK while the aircraft has the ability to fly. Heaven forbid the aircraft should remain grounded in the UK until the cursed CAA manage to impose so many safety rules on the aircraft that money can never be found to let the aircraft escape. There might not even be money in the States to keep a Vulcan flying, but on balance, it's got to be worth a try. Even if 558 has to remain grounded for considerable periods, the aircraft would fare much better in a US climate, under the authority of the rather less nazi-esque FAA.

I note that the guys at Coventry are now embarking on a project to get their Shackleton back into the air. You've got to admire their enthusiasm when they face the prospect of the CAA's suffocating beaurocracy which seems to be running out of control, unchecked by either public or politicians. There can be no doubt that when XH558 does run out of cash completely, the responsibility for the Vulcan's grounding will ultimately lay firmly on the CAA's doorstep. There attitude and actions are absurd. The whole lot of 'em should be horsewhipped!

BEagle

That is complete and utter nonsense. The CAA have, in fact, been exceptionally helpful and co-operative throughout the Vulcan to the Sky campaign and most certainly do not deserve your puerile rant.

Please have the decency to apologise.

The Real Slim Shady

If " the Vulcan delights 1.5 million people at airshows"

AND

it is anticipated that it will cost £1.9 million to operate next year

does it not make sense to add £1.30 to the cost of a ticket everywhere the aircraft displays?

JEM60

If the public did indeed turn up in their thousands to see the Vulcan perform, then we can therefore expect them to put their hands in their pockets, for if they fail to do that, then it will be their fault if it fails to fly through lack of finance. They, in my opinion, are perfectly happy to see it fly, but unfortunately not that keen that they want to pay for it!!!!

JEM60

and refund the money if it fails to show..............Problems with that, perhaps. Advertising and charging for something, and then it doesn't show. Hmmmmm

The Real Slim Shady

However JEM, if it is such a desirable participant, and much beloved of the spectator, surely (don't call me etc...) it wouldn't matter to them as they were being supportive?