XH558...

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SMB

1,513 posts

266 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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Tyre Tread said:
Thank you so much for that link.

It got dusty in here watching that. How does an aeroplane evoke such a reaction?

I'd have loved to have been there.
Saturday was apparently kev but Sunday bill Ramsey. Watching the Saturday and comparing the display I saw on Sunday they were. Indeed very similar, if anything bill held the vertical climb at the end for even longer

CrutyRammers

13,735 posts

198 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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I've got almost identical photos to jeff of the underwing walk, so I won't bother posting them. A couple of flying shots through the heat-haze:








Nicol@

3,850 posts

236 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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RIAT pics are great.

Xh558 mentioned today that they would be flying with the Blades but would not say if it was at Sywell (Northants).
After tracking the old bird on 'plane Finder' she started looping at Pitsford.

So I decided to drive up the motorway with the chance of getting my first and possible only look this year.
Then hit a traffic jam on the M1, aware time was not on my side.
Got to Northampton, she was still looping, so headed to Pitsford. Still aware that I may be too late. A43 near Weston Favell I suddenly saw her pass ahead, huge surprise.

I stopped near Holcot to check if she had gone, no reception, then I got a glimpse of the Blades (photo). I set off again and they all passed on my left, sadly I couldn't hear '558 (damn noisy exhaust). I arrived at Pitsford not even two miles further, for a lovely backdrop and she had gone.

:-(



central

16,744 posts

217 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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Not sure if this facebook link will work - https://www.facebook.com/mark.skinner.140/media_se...

Over my house in very gloomy conditions.

Nicol@

3,850 posts

236 months

Monday 20th July 2015
quotequote all
central said:
Not sure if this facebook link will work - https://www.facebook.com/mark.skinner.140/media_se...

Over my house in very gloomy conditions.
Not public view, looks like the viewer needs to log in.

Andy616

445 posts

135 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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Another one from Yeovilton.


aeropilot

34,614 posts

227 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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fatboy69 said:
I have been working 'air-side'at RIAT & the rumour doing the rounds this morning was that the CAA were far from happy with the way 558 was flown yesterday so it is said that they 'had words' yesterday afternoon with the flight crew.
The RIAT Flying Control Committee were happy enough with Saturdays Vulcan display by all accounts, no rules broken......??

I believe they were less happy with two other display pilots over the weekend though.....


marksx

5,052 posts

190 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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Showed my Dad the RIAT footage. He then told me how he remembers watching the Vulcans do bombing runs on the range at Cowden. (My Grandparents had a caravan there). He describes a speck on the horizon, coming in low and fast, smoky engines, getting over the range, lifting the nose and releasing the bomb, before climbing steep into the clouds, like at the end of the RIAT Saturday display, and flying away.

Git!

I remember sitting on the cliffs with my Dad and Granddad, watching the A10s, and some other fast jet, Tornado maybe (?) practice over Cowden (just), and walking around on the beach after the red flags were taken down. I was only small though. Never a Vulcan though. Alas, all washed into the sea now, people pass, but the memories remain.




fatboy69

9,372 posts

187 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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The word was the roll-over was a tad too much for some of the organisers however personally I think that the crew should have been congratulated!!!!!

I did the after show party at Fairford last night.

I know that the Mig29 plot was 'told off' however who was the other?


Eric Mc

122,033 posts

265 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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marksx said:
Showed my Dad the RIAT footage. He then told me how he remembers watching the Vulcans do bombing runs on the range at Cowden. (My Grandparents had a caravan there). He describes a speck on the horizon, coming in low and fast, smoky engines, getting over the range, lifting the nose and releasing the bomb, before climbing steep into the clouds, like at the end of the RIAT Saturday display, and flying away.

Git!

I remember sitting on the cliffs with my Dad and Granddad, watching the A10s, and some other fast jet, Tornado maybe (?) practice over Cowden (just), and walking around on the beach after the red flags were taken down. I was only small though. Never a Vulcan though. Alas, all washed into the sea now, people pass, but the memories remain.
There is some Vulcan footage in this BBC programme from 1974 - made at a time when showing off what the RAF could do was considered a good thing -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dy31I_saWM

mcdjl

5,446 posts

195 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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fatboy69 said:
I know that the Mig29 plot was 'told off' however who was the other?
What for? Descending on take off?

fatboy69

9,372 posts

187 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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I was told that he buzzed the tower on Thursday even though he was told that he wasn't too do that.

Cyder

7,053 posts

220 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Now I'm really hoping the tower said "Negative Vladimir, the pattern is full" prior to the flypast. hehe

Tyre Tread

10,535 posts

216 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Looks like an attempt to fly another year
Taken from VTST website:
MPs to debate Vulcan XH558
Jul 21, 2015 by Ian Homer.
this afternoon in Westminster Hall.MPs to pay tribute to XH558, the last Flying Vulcan


Briefing to include exciting plans for XH558 to focus on
inspiring new generations of engineers to help solve UK technology skills shortage



Tuesday, July 21st at 16:00; Defence Minister Philip Dunne will respond to a debate in Westminster Hall initiated by Sir Gerald Howarth MP to mark the final display flights of Vulcan bomber XH558, which was restored to flight in 2007. Sir Gerald will set out the history of the restoration, the massive public support for the project and exciting future plans to put XH558 at the heart of a new type of visitor attraction and engineering education centre that will inspire future generations to study technical disciplines. He will also request that the aircraft be permitted to fly for a further year.

“It is unprecedented to have such passionate support for an aircraft,” commented Dr Robert Pleming, chief executive of the charity that owns and operates Vulcan XH558. “This is the second time that she has been discussed at Westminster; the importance of a flying Vulcan was subject of an Early Day Motion signed by 128 MPs in April 2002 at the start of efforts to restore her to flight.”

Pleming emphasises that the debate will not change the planned future for the aircraft. “When we lose the support of the companies who act as our technical authorities later this year, we will no longer be permitted to fly. This is not because of any question over her safety; she is currently as safe as any aircraft flying and is certificated to amongst the world’s highest aviation standards.”

Sir Gerald Howarth, a Trustee of Vulcan to the Sky Trust, has been a passionate supporter of the project – which started with the world’s most complex engineering heritage restoration – since the initial plans to return a Vulcan to the skies. “XH558 is an iconic example of that remarkable period of intense post-war innovation that made British technology the envy of the world,” he says. “Today, we struggle to attract enough young people into the disciplines needed to support high-technology British engineering companies. Robert and his team have impressive plans to use this remarkable aircraft to help solve this challenge by inspiring new generations with the excitement of engineering. XH558 may be reaching the end of her flying life, but she has a valuable future ahead of her.”


Dr Pleming will be available for interviews in Westminster around the event.



jmorgan

36,010 posts

284 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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My understanding is three (?) firms that support the flight activities (I know not how) are withdrawing support and that is a requirement for the chitty to fly?

K50 DEL

9,237 posts

228 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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mat13 said:
K50 DEL said:
I managed just over 10Gb of photos today, approx. 2300 all told...

Just a couple of 558 here, it was an amazing display and the commentator had a huge lump in his throat as he said it was the final time the skies above Fairford would see a Vulcan display.

Amazing how the crowd started to thin as soon as 558 had finished!



Would you mind if i had that second photo put on a canvas? Happy to send a few quid to a charity of your choice if thats ok?
You're quite welcome, drop me a message and I'll send you the full high res, as far as charity goes....558 still needs funds so send anything you like there.

Tyre Tread

10,535 posts

216 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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jmorgan said:
My understanding is three (?) firms that support the flight activities (I know not how) are withdrawing support and that is a requirement for the chitty to fly?
That is the case but read the article. They're asking for exemption. Two hopes I suspect...

jmorgan

36,010 posts

284 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
Tyre Tread said:
jmorgan said:
My understanding is three (?) firms that support the flight activities (I know not how) are withdrawing support and that is a requirement for the chitty to fly?
That is the case but read the article. They're asking for exemption. Two hopes I suspect...
I id, but me not grasping the ask. Not in the business so was not sure what I was reading. I thought exemptions were off the table.

SMB

1,513 posts

266 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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As much as she is the 'Peoples Aircraft' if the CAA permit is the issue, I would prefer to see her maintained in flight worthy condition under military ownership and the differing rules that they have ( I'm not an expert but the UK's CAA rules are some of the strictest and the fact she has flown the last 8 years is testament to the work conducted)

Like other countries (Sweden for example) perhaps it's time the BBMF became the Historic Flight, with some real funding from the MP's to support it. The supporting organisations have little financial motivation to support VTTS, but would have a lot more if the RAF /UK Government were asking.

DrDeAtH

3,588 posts

232 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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XH558 is being discussed in parliament. Debate started at 4pm.....