XH558 outside again!
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The Avro Vulcan, the world's first 4-jet delta bomber, has entered the Royal Air Force for full squadron service. Behind the recent Air Ministry announcement lies a brilliant chapter of aeronautical progress that marks the beginning of a new era in Britain's air power. With its near sonic speed, its great range and altitude and its large carrying capacity, the Vulcan can deliver a bigger bomb load faster, higher and further than any other aircraft. Add to this its fighter-like manoeuvrability, exceptional safety and pleasant handling characteristics and you have the reasons why the Vulcan is the most effective bomber in service today.
But that's not all, the Vulcan has a great development potential it has been engineered to allow for new operational requirements which ca n be met without major alteration to the basic design. In the tough testing ground of the R.A.F. on routine exercises and on long-range training flights: the Vulcan is already showing its paces.
Like its illustrious predecessors from the Avro stable - the Lincoln , the Lancaster, the Anson, the 504 and many others - the Vulcan is destined to become one of the world's really great aircraft.
http://www.content-delivery.co.uk/av...vroVulcan.html
Last edited by windriver; 1st Oct 2007 at 12:52. Reason: Update to include text from full ad
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Engine runup?
I was was at Hus Bos yesterday and could hear some jet engine(s) being run up from the general direction of Brunt (wind was from north so it probably carried the sound a bit)
Was it the Vulcan?
MM
Was it the Vulcan?
MM
... Lightning surely?
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Does anyone have a feel for the requirements / qualifications the CAA will lay down for the crew who fly it?
Are they likely to insist that they are in current flying practice, ATPL etc with an airline and have previously flown the Vulcan?
Are they likely to insist that they are in current flying practice, ATPL etc with an airline and have previously flown the Vulcan?
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Real Slim Shady,
All in place, my friend.
Do you still seriously think that this would be an oversight, or that the CAA has not been working hand in hand with the Vulcan Operating Company for the last few years???
The crew have been in place for many years now, and more than meet the CAA requirements. As an example Martin Withers, he of Black Buck 1 fame, had to go and privately pass his PPL, in order to be eligible to fly the Vulcan. This is despite the fact that he is a current 767 pilot for Zoom Airlines, notwithstanding his RAF track record.
modelman,
No, it was not the Vulcan, but may have been one of the many other aircraft currently at Bruntingthorpe.
Flipflopman
All in place, my friend.
Do you still seriously think that this would be an oversight, or that the CAA has not been working hand in hand with the Vulcan Operating Company for the last few years???
The crew have been in place for many years now, and more than meet the CAA requirements. As an example Martin Withers, he of Black Buck 1 fame, had to go and privately pass his PPL, in order to be eligible to fly the Vulcan. This is despite the fact that he is a current 767 pilot for Zoom Airlines, notwithstanding his RAF track record.
modelman,
No, it was not the Vulcan, but may have been one of the many other aircraft currently at Bruntingthorpe.
Flipflopman
flipflopman RB199, it wasn't Martin Withers, it was one of the other pilots.
How do I know? I did his PPL Skill Test.
I presume the pilots will either be given an ANO waiver "Licence privileges are extended to include operating as Pilot in Command or Co-Pilot of Vulcan aeroplane XH558 in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Aircraft Operators Certificate and the Permit to Fly whilst the licence does not include a Type Rating" or something similar?
Good to see that old advert! But weren't the oily-fingered ones termed 'technicians' in those days, rather than 'engineers'?
How do I know? I did his PPL Skill Test.
I presume the pilots will either be given an ANO waiver "Licence privileges are extended to include operating as Pilot in Command or Co-Pilot of Vulcan aeroplane XH558 in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Aircraft Operators Certificate and the Permit to Fly whilst the licence does not include a Type Rating" or something similar?
Good to see that old advert! But weren't the oily-fingered ones termed 'technicians' in those days, rather than 'engineers'?
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Insty said:
I liked the old battle dress, ok, I never had to wear it, but it looked smart and to an extent, you're right.. but I've worked with blokes who could make themselves look smart dressed in old sandbags. Being taught how to use an iron and press a uniform would be a start for 3 of the lads I saw in Cottesmore village the other day at the chippy. At first glance, I thought they were space cadets, but they were airmen.. who allows them to attend work like that?
CS 95 is badly tailored, which doesn't help and cobbled together in some Euro sweat shop so it falls to pieces (well, it did a few years back). It is a compromise,, it has to allow a certain commodious space in the seat to allow for the female form, and the legs are all wrong on it. I appreciate it needs to be substance over style, but its not very practical either.
The Americans have a bizarre attitude to uniform, each of the current arms has its own design, I couldn't find a reference for the Navy one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MARPAT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airman_Battle_Uniform
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Combat_Uniform
Back on topic, neither can I.
To look smart you need a smart uniform!
To drift back on thread............
I can't wait!
To drift back on thread............
I can't wait!
CS 95 is badly tailored, which doesn't help and cobbled together in some Euro sweat shop so it falls to pieces (well, it did a few years back). It is a compromise,, it has to allow a certain commodious space in the seat to allow for the female form, and the legs are all wrong on it. I appreciate it needs to be substance over style, but its not very practical either.
The Americans have a bizarre attitude to uniform, each of the current arms has its own design, I couldn't find a reference for the Navy one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MARPAT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airman_Battle_Uniform
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Combat_Uniform
Back on topic, neither can I.
Hellbound
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Flying Signman
just a personal opinion that I think all the effort and money to get the thing flying is barking - we are still allowed opinions! Please don't detract from the spirit of my positive message.
I will take my hat off to all who have contributed in whatever way, even if only through support on here, when it gets into the air!
I am amazed at the human spirit that enables something like this to continue.
Regards to all and good luck
SB
just a personal opinion that I think all the effort and money to get the thing flying is barking - we are still allowed opinions! Please don't detract from the spirit of my positive message.
I will take my hat off to all who have contributed in whatever way, even if only through support on here, when it gets into the air!
I am amazed at the human spirit that enables something like this to continue.
Regards to all and good luck
SB
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Smart Vulcan groundcrew? You've gotta be joking!
Standard winter uniform for Vulcan Line Maintenance personnel was scuffed "Troglodite" boots, sea boot socks rolled down over the boot tops, battledress trousers tucked into the sea boot socks, RAF issue shirt with your own choice of jersey, in cold weather add a cast-off aircrew beaver-tail parka liberally patched with black bodge tape and the tail hanging down in the trail, a woolly balaclava (usually knitted by your Grandma) finished off with a football scarf in the colours of your chosen team.
SNCOs wore the standard Technical Branch SNCO's uniform of battledress, brown dustcoat and "fly-away" beret with the surplus adjusting tape hanging out of the back. When working outside, add Trog boots a cast-off beaver tail parka and a well thumbed dog-eared copy of the Vol One. One was led to believe that a true blue time-served Chiefy was required to wear his brown dustcoat over his pyjamas at night. Crew Chiefs slept with their aircraft. Naturally.
SNCOs wore the standard Technical Branch SNCO's uniform of battledress, brown dustcoat and "fly-away" beret with the surplus adjusting tape hanging out of the back. When working outside, add Trog boots a cast-off beaver tail parka and a well thumbed dog-eared copy of the Vol One. One was led to believe that a true blue time-served Chiefy was required to wear his brown dustcoat over his pyjamas at night. Crew Chiefs slept with their aircraft. Naturally.
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Blacksheep,
I enjoyed that! Its the little details that are so important and that so many photos fail to convey and that time eventually passes over.
I do actually remember an old ex V Force CT turning up for one to one SMG training with a knitted scarf. Now, I applaud it as a gesture of tribal identity and pride as much as anything.. then, I was freshly promoted don't forget.
I enjoyed that! Its the little details that are so important and that so many photos fail to convey and that time eventually passes over.
I do actually remember an old ex V Force CT turning up for one to one SMG training with a knitted scarf. Now, I applaud it as a gesture of tribal identity and pride as much as anything.. then, I was freshly promoted don't forget.
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Blacksheep's right on with his description of 'uniform'. Keep 'em 'S' and no one minded - at all! My last four years on the line, Cottesmore and Waddington, I had the luxury of wearing (acquired) aircrew thick cotton shirts, collar attached, a rather nice thick knitted tie with a squared off end, and a 'proper' King's cap badge - uncle Arthur's I think, from his time sitting on top of Lancasters.
I've posted this before, but overseas Khaki Drill uniform was no better. See Chiefy on the right. His almost white KD says he's 'been around'. The Australian bush hat, second left back row, I think is still upstairs.
I've posted this before, but overseas Khaki Drill uniform was no better. See Chiefy on the right. His almost white KD says he's 'been around'. The Australian bush hat, second left back row, I think is still upstairs.
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Aaah, the old sweat KD shirts. They changed the collars in 84 or so, and the pockets too and because the new ones were crap, everyone would go to the surplus place in Limassol harbour to get the gear which had been already thrown out, and wear that 
. The shop keeper would wonder what the hell was going on.. all these Brits, coming in to pay for uniform which had been thrown out. Recycling ahead of its time.
OG trousers too, suffered a similar affection.. and don't get me started about the merits of a decently worn in set of lightweight DPM. Aircrew socks were the dogs knob.
What does 'S' mean? As long as they were kept on the sqn and out of sight and no one took the piss by going in them to SHQ?
. The shop keeper would wonder what the hell was going on.. all these Brits, coming in to pay for uniform which had been thrown out. Recycling ahead of its time. OG trousers too, suffered a similar affection.. and don't get me started about the merits of a decently worn in set of lightweight DPM. Aircrew socks were the dogs knob.
What does 'S' mean? As long as they were kept on the sqn and out of sight and no one took the piss by going in them to SHQ?
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'S' = Serviceable. Scratched on the Line Status Board with a half inch thick chinagraph. Preferably by Flt Sgt Godfrey. I've never met anyone who enjoyed his job so much. Top man. 
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Serious thread drift I know but when we were first issued with the Mk 2 Zuit suit jacket and trousers it was the norm to get them tailored to fit and the AVS slot in the trousers sewn up.
In those days officers had to go to a military tailor for any uniform items. As we were in the habit of actually spending money on the uniform we would dress smartly.
IMHO the rot set in when we started to get free issues of each new uniform as it came in. A new shirt, a new woolly pully, DMS shoes etc. Once we got in the habit of not paying so everything became cheap and nasty.
Still I hope the Vulcan stiffens a few backs.
In those days officers had to go to a military tailor for any uniform items. As we were in the habit of actually spending money on the uniform we would dress smartly.
IMHO the rot set in when we started to get free issues of each new uniform as it came in. A new shirt, a new woolly pully, DMS shoes etc. Once we got in the habit of not paying so everything became cheap and nasty.
Still I hope the Vulcan stiffens a few backs.
Last edited by Wader2; 1st Oct 2007 at 11:33.