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Vulcan XH 558 Threads (merged)

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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 04:03
  #3281 (permalink)  
 
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andrrew,

I guess that the lack of replies and comments to this latest ranson suggests that even the most ardent suppoerter is thinking twice about it all??
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 07:12
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To give some life to this project it requires that Dr P leaves it to someone who has some nous and a clear idea of what is required to carry this lifeless project forward. If forward is indeed the way to go.

The project is approaching limbo at a rate not disimilar to 558's rate one turns. DR P needs to give this farce up and take a huge cut in salary. He himself has taken £0000's from it.

As Andrew quite rightly states, 558 actually belongs to others and it is worrying that included in that requirement of £150k is probably 3 months of salary to Dr.P which he SHOULD forego.

I will not put another penny into this project - ever.

Moreover, I think its time to bow to the inevitable and put 558 out of her misery, and everyone else's - and put her down. The memories will remain but her death unquestionable. No point in delaying it.
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 08:24
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What a miserable bunch of doom-mongerers some people are.

The funding shortfall has been temporarily alleviated by one of the sponsors bringing forward Q3 and Q4 funds to Q2 (in simple terms). This will allow greater exposure to other potential sponsors both at RobinDoncasterFinningleyHoodSheffieldMaidMarian Intergalactic Spaceport and at various displays in June and July.

Although expecting tight-wad Yorkshire folk to part wi' brass is perhaps somewhat porcovolant....
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 11:17
  #3284 (permalink)  
 
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The funding shortfall has been temporarily alleviated by one of the sponsors bringing forward Q3 and Q4 funds to Q2 (in simple terms). This will allow greater exposure to other potential sponsors
Hmm

I think we've heard something like this before.

I take it that 'one of the sponsors' is putting the same amount of cash in as agreed, just earlier in the hopes that other sponsors turn up.

Actually, it sounds just like the business that asked us for an advance on our agreed payments as it would fold unless we and others did so. Unfortunately it folded anyway because it hadn't paid other creditors we hadn't known about and they put them into bankruptcy.

I have nothing but admiration for the hard-working engineers and support team of volunteers. There was a phrase used in WWI to describe people like them 'Lions led by donkeys', so I hope that something will turn up, if only for them and XH558
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 12:13
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Oh come on BEagle, even you must admit now that the whole saga is a joke? How many more ransoms are we going to get?

Pleming said that he would step down last year (or was it the year before?) and yet he is still there, making more gross errors of judgement and prolonging the agony. What is the matter with the man?

As I said, I suspect that the lack of support for the project following this latest ransom probably speaks volumes, and I suspect that the end is fairly close.

I just hope that Dr P is taken to task over mis management and everything else.

Winco
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 13:08
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Given that since the original pass the hat ransoms the world's economy has collapsed, there are no major corporate sponsors, fuel and insurance is up, oh they don't own the airframe and haven't built the educational legacy stuff the HLF grant was predicated on and they are essentially insolvent, is it time to put it out to grass and move on?

The much lauded "Vulcan Effect" at events hasn't produced the revenue, they can't balance the books and at the end of it either Marshall's or Whalton will end up with a claim on the airframe surely means there is no respectable and dignified end possible.

The communications of the team at HQ improved slightly but has so many inconsistencies it's scary. I mean what is the planned flight life, assuming they had the loot? It was 10 years at the start then I seems that Dr P suggests its 5 years? Pretty fundamental to a sponsor I would suggest and given that this year their clear and sustainable strategy involved more micro donations than corporates and that hasn't worked, what's the next plan?
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 14:35
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I hesitate to join in this never-ending debate, but I think it is worth pointing out a negative aspect of the so-called "Vulcan effect" at air shows. This is encouraging organisers to allocate such a large percentage of their budget to getting the Vulcan, that other acts are struggling to get bookings. In particular, there has been a recent comment to this effect from the operators of the glorious Sea Vixen, which is not appearing at its "home show" at Bournemouth this year for that very reason.
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 14:52
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Steve, I'm pleased you've raised the point. Anyone on the show circuit affected by this?
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Old 2nd Jun 2011, 15:37
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Just to point out that the operators of the Sea Vixen have stated that it IS booked for it's home town show in Bournemouth. Sadly the only booking so far though.

Yeovilton, which is of course another important show for the Sea Vixen seems to be where funding is an issue with the Vulcan already booked to appear.

Not going to get into discussion on which aircraft deserves what as they're both magnificent beasts, but maybe Duxford, as a Vulcan free zone should step up and book the Vixen?

Anyway that's me done, I'll leave you to get back to your Pleming bashing lads.
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Old 5th Jun 2011, 08:27
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I can only assume that, with the total lack of comment from even the hardline supporters of this project, there is now a general feeling of defeat and gloom amongst even them.

Would anyone, with even a modicum of knowledge about the project, care to enlighten us as to what the current state of play is please? Will we see her fly at this years airshows? Will we ever see her fly again I wonder?

Then of course, we could get Dr P to come on hear and announce that he has at last quit, and that someone with even a little bit of an aviation background and experience has taken contol and everything is back on track - yippeee

Then again of course, I've just woken up and realised that will never happen, will it?

Even
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Old 5th Jun 2011, 20:57
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Winco, the 'deadline' came without all the £350,000 being found, however as what had already been donated was hard cash rather than pledges, it seems it's given them a cushion of another month or so.

I believe they've got enough money to get to the end of July so bookings up to then are (I presume) assured. They've already done Abingdon and Southend airshows with a static appearance and departure at the Bruntingthorpe Cold War Jets day with more to come next weekend.

As it stands the total raised is £210,230 so still some way to go, but it does seem to be creeping up. With regards to Dr P, he's probably realised there aren't too many jobs out there so I doubt he'll be leaving anytime soon, unless of course it all goes belly up in the next couple of months that is.

As I always say, catch seeing it while you still can!
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Old 8th Jun 2011, 05:20
  #3292 (permalink)  
 
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and the responce from the Vulcan fraternity was.........................................
..............................................
..............................................
zilch! diddly, nothing!!
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Old 8th Jun 2011, 07:19
  #3293 (permalink)  
 
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Probably because no-one is prepared to rise to your bait and obvious schadenfreude.
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Old 8th Jun 2011, 09:41
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and the responce from the Vulcan fraternity was.........................................
..............................................
..............................................
zilch! diddly, nothing!!
So my information wasn't good enough for you then or you just decided to ignore it as I'm not one of the 'Vulcan fraternity'?

Fair enough, I'll not bother in future. It's just the same couple of people whining all the time here anyway.
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Old 21st Jun 2011, 19:20
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Interesting discussion on the VTS forum regarding a possible birdstrike on take-off last Friday. Looks like there's no indication of such, fortunately, but a post on page 3, by someone calling himself 'Sad Sam' ('Proud and honoured to be the last Vulcan rigger'?! WTF!) explaining engine surges. God help them if that's the level of engineering staff. One can only hope that their 'proud and honoured to be the last Vulcan sootie' chap is more knowledgable!!! Methinks 'Sad Sam' should stick to 'riggering', maybe he knows more about that.........
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Old 23rd Jun 2011, 00:03
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Interesting discussion on the VTS forum regarding a possible birdstrike on take-off last Friday. Looks like there's no indication of such, fortunately, but a post on page 3, by someone calling himself 'Sad Sam' ('Proud and honoured to be the last Vulcan rigger'?! WTF!) explaining engine surges. God help them if that's the level of engineering staff. One can only hope that their 'proud and honoured to be the last Vulcan sootie' chap is more knowledgable!!!


Sam was explaining the term Engine Surge because a previous poster had used the term in an Anoraks untrained explanation of an engine problem that had been encountered some years earlier at the airfield…So come on, what was wrong with his explanation then??

So that we may learn from a master, give us the benefit of your vast expirence...I personally really would like to know??

Last edited by Zero-1; 23rd Jun 2011 at 15:07.
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Old 23rd Jun 2011, 06:48
  #3297 (permalink)  
 
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Quite apart from the good Doctor's failure to fall on his sword the thing that grates is the whole "The People's Aircraft" statement. In fact it is now mortgaged to both Marshalls and Whalton's company from memory meaning it's been hocked off twice over.

Andrew.... you've forgotton the third and largest one.. the HLF...to whome the aircraft, actually is mortgaged legally and always has been.... plus it's Walton's not Whalton's.
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Old 23rd Jun 2011, 16:44
  #3298 (permalink)  
 
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I have read this thread with interest, amusement and dismay.

Why is it the British way to knock anyone with any vision?

Dr P has HAD the vision to restore this particular aircraft, it could have been something else..............

It is a CHARITY, as such it is reliant as is Oxfam, RSPCA, Help for Hero's etc on the public handing over their cash to support them.

How many of you are aware that only £190k from RIAT was actually handed out to benefactors?

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Old 23rd Jun 2011, 16:53
  #3299 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Those that can do...
Dr P has HAD the vision to restore this particular aircraft, it could have been something else..............

The only vision Pleming has is MONEY, I doubt if there is anywhere else that will employ him at the salary he takes, for apparently doing so very little in return.

Treat XH558 as military and post Pleming to another unit, whilst it still has a chance.
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Old 23rd Jun 2011, 17:00
  #3300 (permalink)  
 
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Zero.

I'm not going to waste my time trying to explain on here about what a surge is or how it occurs. It's been done to death on numerous occasions. If you're that interested, try a search. Far more learned people than I have written it up.

As for my expirence (sic); you don't know me from Adam, and I certainly wouldn't profess to being a 'master', just a humble B1, but any schoolboy will tell you that low pressure cannot 'flow' to a high pressure area.

It's nice to see somebody wishing to expand their knowledge, but don't come here, rolling you eyes at someone you don't know. Save that for when you KNOW someone's spouting bolleux.

Alternatively, stick to what you know. Maybe VTS management and 'engineers' should do the same!
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