Last flying Vulcan to stay in the skies
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Cost effective?
Like the BBMF? Very little restoration work is cost effective the aim is not cost efficiency. It is to keep historic airframes flying and the UK has been bad at this.
Consider all the types that have been scrapped that with some foresight could still be flying.
Like the BBMF? Very little restoration work is cost effective the aim is not cost efficiency. It is to keep historic airframes flying and the UK has been bad at this.
Consider all the types that have been scrapped that with some foresight could still be flying.
Here's an idea - get the CAA to agree to let the Harrier from USA fly in UK if the tin triangle is grounded......................OK, hat, coat and gloves.................
Dysonsphere,
Nice shot, there's probably not a more iconic aircraft in our skies today. We have to accept though, that one day the aircraft will become too unsafe to be flown. I hope when that decision is taken, people will remember, with pride, what a last fling she had. Apologies to Beags if she is "non PC" .
Nice shot, there's probably not a more iconic aircraft in our skies today. We have to accept though, that one day the aircraft will become too unsafe to be flown. I hope when that decision is taken, people will remember, with pride, what a last fling she had. Apologies to Beags if she is "non PC" .
Last edited by smujsmith; 10th Jun 2013 at 18:41.
Consider all the types that have been scrapped that with some foresight could
still be flying
still be flying
And in other news, London Zoo has announced that, since the decision to close at the end of the summer season, the number of extra visitors flooding in has generated sufficient income for the Zoo to stay open for one more year...
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It should be pointed out that (surprise surprise) the Mail article isn't entirely accurate.
The funding has been raised only to fly THIS season.
The wing modification, while feasable will need further funding, namely another £400,000 pledged by October so that the work can be started and finished in time for the 2014 season.
Presumably if that money isn't forthcoming by October then this WILL have been the last season of flying.
Full info can be found here: Vulcan Operation 2015
The funding has been raised only to fly THIS season.
The wing modification, while feasable will need further funding, namely another £400,000 pledged by October so that the work can be started and finished in time for the 2014 season.
Presumably if that money isn't forthcoming by October then this WILL have been the last season of flying.
Full info can be found here: Vulcan Operation 2015
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And even that isn't up front, which is why I hate the way they do things, the 400K is only the start, hidden away in the Pledge Q&A is
What will the £400,000 cover?
We believe the target is sufficient for us to complete the work required this winter to give XH558 sufficient flying life to reach the end of the 2015 season. Further funds will be required, for example to pay for the 2014-15 Winter Service and to supplement our commercial income to pay hangar rent and operating costs.
We believe the target is sufficient for us to complete the work required this winter to give XH558 sufficient flying life to reach the end of the 2015 season. Further funds will be required, for example to pay for the 2014-15 Winter Service and to supplement our commercial income to pay hangar rent and operating costs.
Last edited by NutLoose; 10th Jun 2013 at 19:58.
Points about funding noted. But, and there always is one, to my, accepted, limited thinking, the best example that could be preserved from the Cold War days would be the Lightning. Apart from anything else, it actually did the job it was designed for, intercepting intruding Soviet bombers/recon aircraft. With no disrespect to any ex V force crews, the Vulcan, Victor or Valiant never dropped a bomb over a Soviet country, unless you boys know better (respect for Black Buck). A lightning would be so much cheaper to maintain than a Vulcan, and could make more noise for the people who like "bang for the buck". Lets do it 
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The problem with the media is they either only give snippets of information or cock it up completely, if you want more precise and accurate details then the trust website is the place to go. There's no hiding of facts or figures but if you're going to rely on the likes of the mail etc then you're never going to get the whole story.
As for returning a Lightning to the sky? You're talking amounts not far behind the Vulcan, plus the finances would be the easiest of the gurgles you'd face.
As for returning a Lightning to the sky? You're talking amounts not far behind the Vulcan, plus the finances would be the easiest of the gurgles you'd face.
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Nutloose, yes when you consider that costs to fly this season were £800,000, you have to wonder what the total will be next year.
Does the £400,000 only cover the wing mod, or does it also cover all or part of the winter service as well?
It's one thing to raise £400,000 for the wing mod to be done, but will the supporters then be hit with a further £800,000 appeal on top of that to cover other costs and get to the 2014 season?
They've raised over a million before, but I think they should be a bit more up front about what funds it's REALLY going to take to fly next year.
Smujsmith, don't even go there! It's NOT going to happen.
Does the £400,000 only cover the wing mod, or does it also cover all or part of the winter service as well?
It's one thing to raise £400,000 for the wing mod to be done, but will the supporters then be hit with a further £800,000 appeal on top of that to cover other costs and get to the 2014 season?
They've raised over a million before, but I think they should be a bit more up front about what funds it's REALLY going to take to fly next year.
Smujsmith, don't even go there! It's NOT going to happen.
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The £400,000 only covers the cost of the wing modification.
The yearly costs are always going to be £2m - £2.5m a year depending on the level of winter servicing required. The aim is to avoid a repeat of the shortfall in funds we've had in previous years.
The yearly costs are always going to be £2m - £2.5m a year depending on the level of winter servicing required. The aim is to avoid a repeat of the shortfall in funds we've had in previous years.
Last edited by bubblesuk; 10th Jun 2013 at 20:19. Reason: Added gumpf.
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The £400,000 only covers the cost of the wing modification.
The yearly costs are always going to be £2m - £2.5m a year depending on the level of winter servicing required. The aim is to avoid a repeat of the shortfall in funds we've had in previous years.
The yearly costs are always going to be £2m - £2.5m a year depending on the level of winter servicing required. The aim is to avoid a repeat of the shortfall in funds we've had in previous years.
smujsmith:
So did the Vulcan (and the two other V's). Their job was to ensure that they:
The succeeded in doing just that.
...the Lightning. Apart from anything else, it actually did the job it was designed for
never dropped a bomb over a Soviet country
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"the Vulcan, Victor or Valiant never dropped a bomb over a Soviet country,"
And IMHO, for that we can be grateful.
The Vulcan did show with Black Buck that it could have been done.
And IMHO, for that we can be grateful.
The Vulcan did show with Black Buck that it could have been done.
Not only is XH558 sucking up huge sums of money and the associated good-will of the British public, it is also taking the lions share of all of the Airshow display budgets. The public attending each of the major air shows will expect to see the Vulcan display, but the limited Airshow display budget has so little left to pay for all the other wonderful aircraft that charge so much less.
A bold move to not book XH588 for your show, but sooner or later it will price itself out of the market.
A bold move to not book XH588 for your show, but sooner or later it will price itself out of the market.