Discussion
Hooli said:
ATTAK Z said:
The thing is, as we were told at the PH visit to Vulcan, all the Vulcan parts were designed and built in the 50s/60s. Things like sheet titanium have to be specially manufactured to the original Imperial standards. That makes everything very expensive.
More reason we should have never gone metricMost aerospace materials grades used today are not the same as back then, but only the identical grades can be used, hence the expense of have small batches of custom made materials being made at the old Imperial grades.
I recall a similar issue with the drawn hexagonal tubes that are used to fabricate the rear fuselage frames of Hawker Hurricanes, 20 odd years ago, as it was no longer available in that grade of material.
What became Hawker Restorations, had to make a substantial investment in getting enough material custom made in the correct old grade material to enable the subsequent half dozen Hurricane restorations to be undertaken.
aeropilot said:
Hooli said:
ATTAK Z said:
The thing is, as we were told at the PH visit to Vulcan, all the Vulcan parts were designed and built in the 50s/60s. Things like sheet titanium have to be specially manufactured to the original Imperial standards. That makes everything very expensive.
More reason we should have never gone metricMost aerospace materials grades used today are not the same as back then, but only the identical grades can be used, hence the expense of have small batches of custom made materials being made at the old Imperial grades.
I recall a similar issue with the drawn hexagonal tubes that are used to fabricate the rear fuselage frames of Hawker Hurricanes, 20 odd years ago, as it was no longer available in that grade of material.
What became Hawker Restorations, had to make a substantial investment in getting enough material custom made in the correct old grade material to enable the subsequent half dozen Hurricane restorations to be undertaken.
Getting the correct imperial size drill bits is getting harder so we end up with the metric equivalent and our more modern machines are metric, but our drawings we work to are imperial (being a mostly American aircraft), so we end up having to do a fair bit of chopping and changing!
I'm of an age where I'm used to both, but try telling an apprentice we have to ream a hole 1/64" oversize and they start to struggle.
Krikkit said:
Well so far this year my calendar has conspired to keep me away from seeing XH558 - does anyone know if she displays in the rain? Last chance of the season at Southport is on Sunday, and it's looking very wet indeed. 
Justearlier in the thread, there was an announcement saying that due to a fuel leak and the need for a new fuel tank, the plane will not be flying again this year.Southport's Sunday show has been cancelled due to the forecast anyway!
http://www.visitsouthport.com/dbimgs/Cancellation%...
http://www.visitsouthport.com/dbimgs/Cancellation%...
Blib said:
Krikkit said:
Well so far this year my calendar has conspired to keep me away from seeing XH558 - does anyone know if she displays in the rain? Last chance of the season at Southport is on Sunday, and it's looking very wet indeed.
Justearlier in the thread, there was an announcement saying that due to a fuel leak and the need for a new fuel tank, the plane will not be flying again this year.That's a real bugger, many fingers crossed I'll get to see it flying next year.
Good morning all,
I'm proud to announce a very special trip for members of the BMW Car Club (GB) and other Vulcan fans to see the Avro Vulcan having it's winter service at Robin Hood Airport, near Doncaster on Saturday December 14th 2013. This will be a unique, guided tour for us so if you've ever wanted to see the Vulcan up close and personal then this is your chance.
See below for booking details
The Vulcan is a remarkable example of British engineering at its best. The prototype flew just eleven years after the first flight of its predecessor the Avro Lancaster, but it’s performance was in another world. Innovations included electrically-powered flying controls and a speed and agility that was so close to a jet fighter’s that it was given a fighter-style control column in place of the traditional bomber pilot’s yoke. These were the days when the car industry and the aircraft industry were still close, so she uses the pioneering Maxaret anti-lock braking system also seen on the Jensen FF and her emergency power unit is a small jet turbine similar to those used in Rover’s JET experimental cars.
Success as a Cold War peacekeeper meant that the Vulcans may have flown their entire service life without ever entering combat if it hadn’t been for the Falklands Conflict in 1982. During a marathon 8,000 mile flight supported by eleven Victor tankers, Squadron Leader Martin Withers and his crew released the bombs over Port Stanley Airport that prevented Argentina operating its Mirage III fighters from the island and initiated the campaign that recaptured the Falklands. Two years later, the last Vulcans were withdrawn from service. Martin – who is also passionate about fast cars - earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in this action and is now XH558’s chief pilot. You’ll see items from his private collection of Falklands memorabilia on display in the hangar.
I'm extremely thankful to the Vulcan to the Sky Trust for organising this meet for us, which I'm hoping will make a significant contribution to the costs of operating the last flying example of Britain’s amazing V-Force aircraft. All profits from the event, including tickets and food, will go directly to the charity to help them get XH558 into the air for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, something close to many of our hearts.
The itinerary for this very special day comprises:
10:00 – 11:00 – Arrival and parking in the hangar car park. Bacon sandwiches, tea / coffee / soft drinks served inside the hangar with time to wander around the aircraft and displays
11:00 – 12:00 – guided tour of XH558 with one of the Trust’s specialist guides
12:00 – 14:00 – More time to wander around the cars and the aircraft, meet members of the Vulcan team, explore the displays of Vulcan history (including some fascinating Falklands War items from the pilot’s private collections) and view and buy merchandise
14:00 – Event closes
Due to the restrictions set by the airport, and hangar capacity, this meet is only open to a maximum of 70 cars and 140 people. Normally we would ask you to add names to a list to reserve a space, but for this meet we need you to sign up directly on the XH558 page where a payment (along with some personal details) are required to secure your place on a first come, first served basis.
Charges are
£25 per car and driver, plus
£15 per passenger
Booking Process:
- click on the following link:
https://vulcantotheskytrust.checkfront.co.uk/reser...
- Choose December 14th from the calendar (you'll notice that it shows its for BMW Car Club (GB) members only
- Hit the 'Book Now' button
- Choose the number of tickets you require
- Enter other details as required including your Club membership number and promotional code where prompted
The promotional code you need to enter is 'BMWFive58'
- Pay by various methods
- Enjoy the visit!
All profits raised from this visit will be used to support XH558 during the 2014 display season – the flying calendar is still being negotiated with airshow organisers and will be updated here as new events are agreed.
I'm very excited about this extraordinary meet and look forward to meeting 140 of you on the day. Places for cars are strictly limited to 70. Thanks again to everyone who was involved in making this happen.
Note: When applying be aware you will need to advise any change in details of car or passengers by no later than the morning of Monday 9th December on 0845 5046 558 (office hours) quoting BMW Car Club (GB) Event. Failure to do so will result in refusal of admission to anyone or any vehicle not on the final event manifest. For security reasons, there are no exemptions to this rule.
I'm proud to announce a very special trip for members of the BMW Car Club (GB) and other Vulcan fans to see the Avro Vulcan having it's winter service at Robin Hood Airport, near Doncaster on Saturday December 14th 2013. This will be a unique, guided tour for us so if you've ever wanted to see the Vulcan up close and personal then this is your chance.
See below for booking details
The Vulcan is a remarkable example of British engineering at its best. The prototype flew just eleven years after the first flight of its predecessor the Avro Lancaster, but it’s performance was in another world. Innovations included electrically-powered flying controls and a speed and agility that was so close to a jet fighter’s that it was given a fighter-style control column in place of the traditional bomber pilot’s yoke. These were the days when the car industry and the aircraft industry were still close, so she uses the pioneering Maxaret anti-lock braking system also seen on the Jensen FF and her emergency power unit is a small jet turbine similar to those used in Rover’s JET experimental cars.
Success as a Cold War peacekeeper meant that the Vulcans may have flown their entire service life without ever entering combat if it hadn’t been for the Falklands Conflict in 1982. During a marathon 8,000 mile flight supported by eleven Victor tankers, Squadron Leader Martin Withers and his crew released the bombs over Port Stanley Airport that prevented Argentina operating its Mirage III fighters from the island and initiated the campaign that recaptured the Falklands. Two years later, the last Vulcans were withdrawn from service. Martin – who is also passionate about fast cars - earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in this action and is now XH558’s chief pilot. You’ll see items from his private collection of Falklands memorabilia on display in the hangar.
I'm extremely thankful to the Vulcan to the Sky Trust for organising this meet for us, which I'm hoping will make a significant contribution to the costs of operating the last flying example of Britain’s amazing V-Force aircraft. All profits from the event, including tickets and food, will go directly to the charity to help them get XH558 into the air for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, something close to many of our hearts.
The itinerary for this very special day comprises:
10:00 – 11:00 – Arrival and parking in the hangar car park. Bacon sandwiches, tea / coffee / soft drinks served inside the hangar with time to wander around the aircraft and displays
11:00 – 12:00 – guided tour of XH558 with one of the Trust’s specialist guides
12:00 – 14:00 – More time to wander around the cars and the aircraft, meet members of the Vulcan team, explore the displays of Vulcan history (including some fascinating Falklands War items from the pilot’s private collections) and view and buy merchandise
14:00 – Event closes
Due to the restrictions set by the airport, and hangar capacity, this meet is only open to a maximum of 70 cars and 140 people. Normally we would ask you to add names to a list to reserve a space, but for this meet we need you to sign up directly on the XH558 page where a payment (along with some personal details) are required to secure your place on a first come, first served basis.
Charges are
£25 per car and driver, plus
£15 per passenger
Booking Process:
- click on the following link:
https://vulcantotheskytrust.checkfront.co.uk/reser...
- Choose December 14th from the calendar (you'll notice that it shows its for BMW Car Club (GB) members only
- Hit the 'Book Now' button
- Choose the number of tickets you require
- Enter other details as required including your Club membership number and promotional code where prompted
The promotional code you need to enter is 'BMWFive58'
- Pay by various methods
- Enjoy the visit!
All profits raised from this visit will be used to support XH558 during the 2014 display season – the flying calendar is still being negotiated with airshow organisers and will be updated here as new events are agreed.
I'm very excited about this extraordinary meet and look forward to meeting 140 of you on the day. Places for cars are strictly limited to 70. Thanks again to everyone who was involved in making this happen.
Note: When applying be aware you will need to advise any change in details of car or passengers by no later than the morning of Monday 9th December on 0845 5046 558 (office hours) quoting BMW Car Club (GB) Event. Failure to do so will result in refusal of admission to anyone or any vehicle not on the final event manifest. For security reasons, there are no exemptions to this rule.
http://www.vulcantothesky.org/appearances.html
Here's the link to the flying schedule
(Yes, that's my take on the plan. Two more years.)
Here's the link to the flying schedule
(Yes, that's my take on the plan. Two more years.)
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