Last flying Vulcan to stay in the skies
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Last flying Vulcan to stay in the skies
Good news indeed. If nothing else the aircraft serves to salute the service of the crews, Aircrew and Groundcrew, who ensured we at least could stand a deterrent to over all those years. Look forward to seeing the triangle for a few more months yet then.
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I'm glad to see she will be flying on but I have my doubts on a couple of things.
My understanding of the final grounding was the wing re-spar and the lack of spare engines, the last two replacing the ones damaged last year.
Will the current engines last that long?
I'm no engineer so I don't know how long the re-spar will take but combined with the engine issue I also have to ask is this life extension cost effective?
Looking at the website and seeing comments like "We launch Operation 2015..Jun 7, 2013..but need public support for two more years." and "XH558 approved for flight..May 10, 2013..but we still need funds to reach displays." I see the begging bowl attitude still prevails and I don't like it.
My understanding of the final grounding was the wing re-spar and the lack of spare engines, the last two replacing the ones damaged last year.
Will the current engines last that long?
I'm no engineer so I don't know how long the re-spar will take but combined with the engine issue I also have to ask is this life extension cost effective?
Looking at the website and seeing comments like "We launch Operation 2015..Jun 7, 2013..but need public support for two more years." and "XH558 approved for flight..May 10, 2013..but we still need funds to reach displays." I see the begging bowl attitude still prevails and I don't like it.
Public funds can always be found to "save for the nation" yet another painting by some Italian painter that very few people outside of the art world have heard of. This has not been the case to keep the only surviving V bomber in flying condition, hence the begging bowl approach, to which I see no alternative.
Very much looking forward to seeing 558 making an overhead appearance at the V-Force Reunion next May!
Very much looking forward to seeing 558 making an overhead appearance at the V-Force Reunion next May!
Last edited by Tankertrashnav; 8th Jun 2013 at 22:51.
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Maybe the government would step in to preserve this unique piece of history for future generations, rather than on supporting fat despots in far flung and often wealthy countries http://www.pprune.org/jet-blast/5166...ml#post7884040
I'd certainly rather see my tax money spent on XH558 and similar projects than on limos and private jets for dictators.
I'd certainly rather see my tax money spent on XH558 and similar projects than on limos and private jets for dictators.
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Not all good news then - what other historic restorations will lose out.
I'm glad to see she will be flying on but I have my doubts on a couple of things.
My understanding of the final grounding was the wing re-spar and the lack of spare engines, the last two replacing the ones damaged last year.
Will the current engines last that long?
I'm no engineer so I don't know how long the re-spar will take but combined with the engine issue I also have to ask is this life extension cost effective?
My understanding of the final grounding was the wing re-spar and the lack of spare engines, the last two replacing the ones damaged last year.
Will the current engines last that long?
I'm no engineer so I don't know how long the re-spar will take but combined with the engine issue I also have to ask is this life extension cost effective?
As for engines:
Eight originally.
Two destroyed in the silica gel cock up.
Two already fitted at that time and unaffected.
Two spares fitted after the silica gel incident.
One which couldn't originally be fitted until minor corrosion had been fixed.
One removed earlier because of debris in the oil, this was probably left over from manufacture so not an issue, but it may have been due to an internal problem. Investigation now indicates that there is no internal problem, and the last I heard they were ground running it and looking for fresh debris. If the debris stops appearing in the oil the engine is OK, if it keeps coming there might be a serious problem after all.
So they do have 1, possibly 2, spare engines.
...arguably a much more famous aircraft that should have priority over a flying club...
XM655 has been lovingly preserved in a fully serviceable (non-airworthy) state at Wellesbourne Mountford by a small group of dedicated volunteers and a supporters' club; the aircraft will be giving another taxying demonstration on 16 Jun. XL426 has also been looked after at Southend Eddie Stobart International, but not to quite the same standard as XM655; however, efforts continue to restore the aircraft to taxying condition.
There would have been nothing to prevent a similar level of dedicated support at RAF Waddington for XM607 - except, perhaps, sufficent enthusiasm and commitment?
Last edited by BEagle; 9th Jun 2013 at 10:13.
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To quite what does that snide comment refer?
There is a serious aspiration to build some sort of cover for XM607 in her current position which would still allow her to be viewed by the public. However, with certain other projects sucking in lots of donated cash (while paying salaries) then those completely volunteer/secondary duty run projects sit in the shadows. It had been "hoped" (I will add no more) that once 558 had been put into static display then other deserving aircraft would be able to pick up some of the crumbs that had been left. Huge sums of cash are being thrown at 558 to keep her flying - a very small percentage of that amount could help to preserve other historic aircraft for many years to come as well.
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Personally I would rather see one example of a type flying than ten sat in a hangar on display. I understand though that it's better to have an aircraft on display than none at all. Who wouldn't like to see a fully restored Stirling?
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Dr Jekyll,
Glad they have some spare engines. Let's hope they don't have any further engine hiccups, if they are down to one spare that to me is a risk, albeit worth taking.
Capetonian,
Fully agree with your thoughts.
Glad they have some spare engines. Let's hope they don't have any further engine hiccups, if they are down to one spare that to me is a risk, albeit worth taking.
Capetonian,
Fully agree with your thoughts.
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Just watched her at Cosford normal stunning display plus some formation work with 2 small single seat display aircraft. Its a funny thing when 2 small pistons engines were noiser than the vulcan.
Last edited by Dysonsphere; 9th Jun 2013 at 21:33. Reason: added picture / spelling