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Vulcan
What a fantastic sight I saw today at 1250 local. On a warm and sunny October day I looked out towards the East/North East and saw the unmistakable shape of the Vulcan in a graceful right hand turn at about 3000ft. Another couple of turns and then a load of power went on and with a very un-green and non eco plume of black smoke she climbed away and behind a fluffy Cu. Majestic and graceful, a sight I never thought I would ever see again (at least not in UK airspace) was one to behold.Next time I want to be a bit closer so I can hear it as well as see it. Roll on the 2008 airshow season coupled with a sympathetic Roster writer!!:D
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Yeah.. Not forgetting Concorde.. ;)
Slim.. Ez.. I'm just bigging up Martin Withers (and I was using him as a benchmark for the rest of the guys as like I said, I don't know what their experience is).. Get the book! "Vulcan 607" by Rowland White.. I'm fATPL and even after 1500h on a 738 I wouldnt feel fit to fly that. It's from a completely different generation. Best leave it to the old boys and their apprentices. P.S. I'd be happy to start as an apprentice though.. :} |
Good one K
(a very un-green and non eco plume of black smoke) You've bloody done it now, after all that work...... Fantastic though!!!! Superb chaps! MTB |
I believe the crew qualifications were stipulated by the CAA. Al McDicken - a TP - is an entirely appropriate man for the job, as is DT - the most recent display pilot. I would say that Vulcan/display experience is more relevant than currency on a commercial transport aircraft. I don't think that MW flew with the Vulcan Display Flight when in the RAF and it does rather seem that, amongst all the other former Vulcan pilots, his name adds the Black Buck authenticity to the project. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I wonder if all the pilots will hold a display authorization, or will it be a Captain (display pilot) plus Co-pilot arrangement, as with VDF?
There a still a few former Vulcan pilots still serving in the RAF, one of whom was the display pilot of another 4-jet type. Another one still maintains that if he hadn't been posted to CFS 2-weeks before the invasion then his crew would've been on Black Buck instead. Maybe that's 25 years of bar-talk though! Congrats to all involved. A massive party tonight I trust? |
Photos
yup, took off, disappeared for half an hour, came back and did a flypast before landing.
Mod Comment: Your link states: Due to people copying & adding elsewhere, have to add security, so will be back online to view tomoro. sorry |
Been suggested to me that it might be flying again tomorrow - though I'd be surprised - anyone have any info on that?
A PM would be appreciated if there's any such plan - Thanks! |
Oh! I've been told she's flying again tomorrow, and several more days :ok:
Any idea if there's schedules? It's not for me,but for a young aircraft nut, who will have to drive from MAN to see her. (Nice guy -kindly transported me from MAN to my destination a month ago,and I owe him a favour!) |
Great pics moondance. Cant wait for the inevitable airshow display with the red arrows. All them years looking at a slowly rusting vulcan outside blackpool airport wondering how loud it actually was and thinking i'd never hear it....Cant wait!
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Brilliant photos - congrats to the whole team as well.
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Getting it in the air is ONE thing...KEEPING it there is another! How many air show organisers are going to pay the horrendous insurance and fuel bills they are going to have to pass on? :bored:
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I remember seeing the Vulcan at Leuchars Airshow. It was (and is) the loudest thing I have ever heard - felt the noise go right through my body. Can't believe that it's flying again though - awesome!
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Bloody Good Show!!! I was born & brought up not far from Woodford and the Vulcan was part of my growing up. During my spotter days, we were standing around on the south side at MAN one summer evening, waiting for Something to Happen. An usual, but obviously military, call sign was heard on the radio. 'Be with you in three minutes', said the voice. We all looked out to the 24 approach, but nothing was in sight.... '30 seconds' said the voice. Still no sign of anything. 30 seconds later, from behind the hangars, from the south, with no audible warning, appeared a Vulcan at about 1,000 feet. The ground shook (really!) as it initiated a climbing turn to the east, loads of black smoke... Wonderful!
Apparently MAN was one of many dispersal airfields during the cold war and this was a regular exercise, but one which I'd not seen before - or since. Roll on the 2008 show season...:D |
Talking of the show season ... may one presume that any 'days out' that she has will be telegraphed here? I have a relative due to visit the UK next summer and I think that a calendar of events could help to cement the dates!
Does this a/c have her own website? |
Fantastic........Very well done :) I own a ten pound share in that aeroplane......:D
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And Brian Potter I would say that Amos Keeto and I are the sole voices of caution and prudence in the midst of the euphoria.
This aircraft will be displayed to the public: the former display pilot hasn't flown the aircraft for at least 14 years, doesn't hold an ATPL, has no recent experience of large aircraft ( a 737NG at max landing weight is about the same as a Vulcan at display weight - also about the same physical size), the TP last flew the airplane in 1974 ( website) and doesn't fly large airplanes, probably doesn't have an ATPL or recent large airplane experience. MW on the other hand wasn't a display pilot but has flown the airplane ( albeit 20 + yrs ago) but is in current flying practice on a large commercial jet and holds an ATPL. To my mind that makes MW firm favourite to display the airplane under the watchful eye of the former display pilot with a co pilot who also flew the jet and is in current flying practice on something bigger than a Tutor. Call me cautious............. |
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Hear, hear! I am reluctant to say much more for fear of having to grab my tin hat and dive for cover! However, if they can't fly a Sea Vixen without serious sponsorship after Red Bull, what chance does a Vulcan have?
They are now appealing for funds to keep her flying! This is like pouring water on the desert and I'm surprised more people aren't questioning how the lottery money is being spent? :rolleyes: Apart from RIAT, I can't see any air show organiser affording the Vulcan. You have to realise also that she is now a civilian aircraft and subject to much stricter CAA rules.....then there are the engineering costs, spares etc....and more gas-guzzling fuel bills for, er, the next flight! Tin hat on!:ooh: |
Amos,
I have used the same arguments whenever a return-to-flight for Concorde was mentioned. Then I looked at the BBMF site, and saw the number of "sorties" they flew per year, and was amazed. I agree they have some very hard work ahead. I also agree the airshows will not pay for it all alone. But if they can turn XH558 into a high-visibilty icon, sponsorship and other sources of funding will also become available. What about the Connie? She flies... !! |
Fanastic news to see the Vulcan is flying again! I just watched some of the Vulcan clips on youtube - reminds me of a time when our country really was "great" and proud that we were able to produce aircraft like the Vulcan which was years ahead of its time.
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