XH558...

[Jacobyte]

We were lucky to get three flypasts from her at Lurgashall this afternoon.

Here's the first one:
https://youtu.be/0Hao7au88-4

The second one I didn't film, as I just wanted to soak it all in.

And here's the final one as she howled at us overhead before setting off for Farnborough:
https://youtu.be/r2kAgfJlRF8

Not only that, but Sean Maffett was our commentator from the cricket pavilion, his 98th and final live commentary on XH558; needless to say he was hugely emotional and got a fitting ovation.

Edited by Jacobyte on Sunday 11th October 17:00

Edited by Jacobyte on Sunday 11th October 17:03

[ukaskew]

Risked it and got bang on the flight line 20 miles from the nearest waypoint (very close to my house)..went straight over us very low, thrilled!

[jmorgan]

Another at St Athan.
Vulcan over St Athan by Jeff, on Flickr

[slartibartfast]

I was in a field off the A15 in Lincoln about 3 miles south of RAF Waddington with a load of scousers that had come down for a metal detecting weekend, I told them that this would be the very last time you saw her fly and that she was due at Waddo at 13:05 so all of them came to the end of the field to watch her..we were all quiet and stood there watching her do a circuit then go over Navenby and disappear.

I've always lived in Lincoln and have followed 558 for a long time as I used to see them every day.

some bd had chopped up an onion is the excuse I'm using.

[woodypup59]

Grrr,

I was on a hill near Westcott Airfield but she arrived 10 mins early, and turned at Bicester, 5 miles away.

If I hadn't been on the hill I'd have missed her completely.

I guess the posted turning point at Westcott got changed.

The 100 odd people down by the airfield entrance saw nothing apparently.

[jurbie]

East Midlands Airport was busy with cars parked all along the verges of the duel carriageway that runs parallel to the motorway. If plod had turned up they'd have had a field day with all the tickets they could have dished out. I eventually parked up on the services and walked down however she turned up 10 minutes early so I was by the roundabout by the services when I saw her coming in so not the best view but made a change not to be looking at her through a view finder.

[spitfire-ian]

Managed to get a great view from the top of our narrow boat on the Oxford Canal on her way from Bicester to Wellesbourne. Would have got some good pictures too had my camera battery not decided to give up.

[Gareth79]

Good turnout in Farnborough:

[Pesty]

Jacobyte said:

We were lucky to get three flypasts from her at Lurgashall this afternoon.

Here's the first one:
https://youtu.be/0Hao7au88-4

The second one I didn't film, as I just wanted to soak it all in.

And here's the final one as she howled at us overhead before setting off for Farnborough:
https://youtu.be/r2kAgfJlRF8

Not only that, but Sean Maffett was our commentator from the cricket pavilion, his 98th and final live commentary on XH558; needless to say he was hugely emotional and got a fitting ovation.

Edited by Jacobyte on Sunday 11th October 17:00

Edited by Jacobyte on Sunday 11th October 17:03

Awesome.

[Cfnteabag]

Didnt quite get in position near wellingsborough green as she was running early but still got sight of her at last!

Went home and celebrated with some vulcan corned beef!

[ChrisR99]

Sad her briefly at Dunsfold, ver pleased to be able to say a final goodbye.

[HoHoHo]

What a shame, in Derby yesterday and made my way home and missed the old girl.

In London today working and apparently she flew over my house which I missed

With my visit to Shoreham I was destined never to see the last flights, good to see pics from those that have

Good bye old girl, thanks for the extra years we managed to share watching you gracefully dancing around the sky

Edited by HoHoHo on Sunday 11th October 19:39

[FW18]

Watched her at Gloucester airport today with a massive turn out. Fantastic sight and sound, such a shame that we will never see this charismatic aircraft for another year.

[HairyMaclary]

Didnt hang around over whitstable!

[marksx]

slartibartfast said:

some bd had chopped up an onion is the excuse I'm using.

I think the whole nuclear/conventional bomber thing is actually a ruse. Really she's an onion bomber. Where ever she goes, after the bomb doors have closed and she's climbing into the distance ..

[Gretchen]

There's still a few flights later this month.

[Nigel_O]

Saw it twice today - once at a fairly busy Rutland Water, then hot-footed it over to a completely rammed Bruntingthorpe, where my prediction of a circuit and a full-throttle climb-out came true (presumably as they worked out they had enough fuel to do it)

Piccies later when I've cleaned them up a little

[HoHoHo]

Gretchen said:

There's still a few flights later this month.

Where?

[Pete102]

Great turnout and viewing at Newark Air Museum, used it as an excuse to take the kids round. So long old girl!

[LeighW]

jurbie said:

East Midlands Airport was busy with cars parked all along the verges of the duel carriageway that runs parallel to the motorway. If plod had turned up they'd have had a field day with all the tickets they could have dished out. I eventually parked up on the services and walked down however she turned up 10 minutes early so I was by the roundabout by the services when I saw her coming in so not the best view but made a change not to be looking at her through a view finder.

I don't know why everyone parked along there, they were allowing people to use the huge Donington Raceway Museum carpark for free, which is just acouple of hundred yards down the road. People either didn't know, or were too lazy to take a five minute walk.

Anyway, I grabbed a few shots. I may have possibly welled up a bit, but I didn't let the missus see...

Vulcan at EMA by Leigh Willars, on Flickr

Vulcan EMA Approach by Leigh Willars, on Flickr

Vulcan at EMA by Leigh Willars, on Flickr