XH558...

[ATTAK Z]

muckymotor said:

Riley Blue said:

The thing is, people _didn't_ flock to Doncaster in their thousands on the 'final tour' weekend. They heeded the request to stay away even though many were under the impression it was the final flight. By creating all this mystery about future flights, the VTTS is alienating the many of the very people they will need in the future, those who are sufficiently interested in the non-flying future of XH558 to dip into their pockets and continue funding it.

On the Sunday the roads at the end and side of the runway were nose to tail with parked cars.

Busiest I've ever seen it, especially at southern end of the runway ... Lot's of police presence too keeping the emergency accesses clear and generally making sure everyone was safe

[SydneyBridge]

Just got email, final flight has to be before 30th October and they are in discussions with Robin Hood...

[Riley Blue]

Last week there was definitely going to be a final flight, now it's IF - not really the way to keep the confidence of their supporters

[Nicol@]

Still feels like last minute planning, even knowing this date was looming for a while.

I will not be surprised if the last flight will end up being a last minute circuit (due to weather and time).

[bobbo89]

Nicol@ said:

Still feels like last minute planning, even knowing this date was looming for a while.

I will not be surprised if the last flight will end up being a last minute circuit (due to weather and time).

At this time of year I think that's the only way you can 'plan' it, no point scheduling it months in advance only to wake up the day of its final flight to find its completely overcast and so no flight.

[V41LEY]

Am I missing the point in that you just let everybody in and charge them x to be there. Must be masses of space for parking. Run it like RIAT. Put on a BBQ and sell a few beers - job done. I know Doncaster is a working airport but host the event on the quietest day sometime in the next two weeks. Possibly in hindsight they are now regretting that the National Tour wasn't the last flying event as they have crested a bit of a monster.

[Dr Interceptor]

Riley Blue said:

Last week there was definitely going to be a final flight, now it's IF - not really the way to keep the confidence of their supporters

I took it as 'they' want there to be another flight, but it entirely depends on weather, serviceability, and time etc

I imagine it will be a case of a nice day forecast, and "quick, lets get her up"

[SydneyBridge]

I am sure something must be in place for her to a have a flight with the Lancaster, now she is repaired, but perhaps it will be unannounced.
running out of time anyway

[aeropilot]

V41LEY said:

Am I missing the point in that you just let everybody in and charge them x to be there. Must be masses of space for parking. Run it like RIAT. Put on a BBQ and sell a few beers - job done. I know Doncaster is a working airport but host the event on the quietest day sometime in the next two weeks.

As you say, it's a working airport with security rules and regulations, you just can't let shed loads of people rock up and let them in. Not going to happen.
For this very reason, I just can't see '558 ever really doing any 'pay to view' taxy runs in the future - even more so if the airport expands it's ops to the level they keep claiming they won't to do.

[Nicol@]

SydneyBridge said:

I am sure something must be in place for her to a have a flight with the Lancaster, now she is repaired, but perhaps it will be unannounced.
running out of time anyway

The Lancaster pilot said 'no' on Periscope (last week).

[V41LEY]

aeropilot said:

As you say, it's a working airport with security rules and regulations, you just can't let shed loads of people rock up and let them in. Not going to happen.
For this very reason, I just can't see '558 ever really doing any 'pay to view' taxy runs in the future - even more so if the airport expands it's ops to the level they keep claiming they won't to do.

That's interesting because her future is being built around an aerospace academy / engineering facility for students. At the tour I was at earlier this year - taxi runs was very much part of the plan a) for funding from visitors - but that might be problematic as it's a working airport and b) the old girl will seize up if you don't keep the parts in motion. Maybe her last flight will be to Waddington after all ?

[aeropilot]

V41LEY said:

aeropilot said:

As you say, it's a working airport with security rules and regulations, you just can't let shed loads of people rock up and let them in. Not going to happen.
For this very reason, I just can't see '558 ever really doing any 'pay to view' taxy runs in the future - even more so if the airport expands it's ops to the level they keep claiming they won't to do.

That's interesting because her future is being built around an aerospace academy / engineering facility for students.

Which is laughable - but I suppose it was how they got the lottery funding, so have keep up the pretence....

[Riley Blue]

aeropilot said:

V41LEY said:

aeropilot said:

As you say, it's a working airport with security rules and regulations, you just can't let shed loads of people rock up and let them in. Not going to happen.
For this very reason, I just can't see '558 ever really doing any 'pay to view' taxy runs in the future - even more so if the airport expands it's ops to the level they keep claiming they won't to do.

That's interesting because her future is being built around an aerospace academy / engineering facility for students.

Which is laughable - but I suppose it was how they got the lottery funding, so have keep up the pretence....

Spot on - the general public won't want to visit a single non-flying aircraft, even if it was the last Vulcan to fly, that is all on its own when they can visit any number of aviation museums and see far more, probably for the same cost or less. This 'academy' idea is nothing but smoke and mirrors and the sad thing is that when it fails, XH558 will be marooned at a miserable regional airport.

[DrDeAtH]

Riley Blue said:

Spot on - the general public won't want to visit a single non-flying aircraft, even if it was the last Vulcan to fly, that is all on its own when they can visit any number of aviation museums and see far more, probably for the same cost or less. This 'academy' idea is nothing but smoke and mirrors and the sad thing is that when it fails, XH558 will be marooned at a miserable regional airport.

Hmm...

XL426 is at southend airport, doesn't fly, but attracts visitors
XM655 is at Wellesbourne airfield, doesn't fly, but attracts visitors
Both do taxy runs

XM603 is at the new Avro heritage centre. Doesn't move, but attracts visitors..

Your logic is slightly flawed, people do however, want to see a Vulcan.

[Eric Mc]

The important thing is that it remains accessible.

[Kitchski]

I think it's a shame it's going to Donny too. It's miles away from anyone down south (probably fairly central if you're including Scotland, but half of Scotland is grass, not people!), meaning it's not realistic to make a day trip there to see it. I also see issues with doing taxi runs, getting decent access etc. It seems to only people who support the idea of keeping it at Doncaster are the people who live near Doncaster.

I personally think it should have gone back to Brunters. They'd get more footfall at the gate on CWJ days, it would live with the other Cold War legends they've got there (the Lightning guys have shown it's possible to build a hanger and keep running aircraft in good condition there). They'd need to build a hanger (believe the original used to overhaul it is now used for car auction stock!) but it's a great location, plenty of space for spectators and it's a fitting place for it to live, being that they were the ones who made all this happen.
I suppose there's always the chance they don't want it back there, of course.....

[Voldemort]

Riley Blue said:

XH558 will be marooned at a miserable regional airport.

But this,


shows that to be only half true.

[surveyor]

Kitchski said:

I think it's a shame it's going to Donny too. It's miles away from anyone down south (probably fairly central if you're including Scotland, but half of Scotland is grass, not people!), meaning it's not realistic to make a day trip there to see it. I also see issues with doing taxi runs, getting decent access etc. It seems to only people who support the idea of keeping it at Doncaster are the people who live near Doncaster.

I personally think it should have gone back to Brunters. They'd get more footfall at the gate on CWJ days, it would live with the other Cold War legends they've got there (the Lightning guys have shown it's possible to build a hanger and keep running aircraft in good condition there). They'd need to build a hanger (believe the original used to overhaul it is now used for car auction stock!) but it's a great location, plenty of space for spectators and it's a fitting place for it to live, being that they were the ones who made all this happen.
I suppose there's always the chance they don't want it back there, of course.....

You need to look at a map.

[Riley Blue]

DrDeAtH said:

Riley Blue said:

Spot on - the general public won't want to visit a single non-flying aircraft, even if it was the last Vulcan to fly, that is all on its own when they can visit any number of aviation museums and see far more, probably for the same cost or less. This 'academy' idea is nothing but smoke and mirrors and the sad thing is that when it fails, XH558 will be marooned at a miserable regional airport.

Hmm...

XL426 is at southend airport, doesn't fly, but attracts visitors
XM655 is at Wellesbourne airfield, doesn't fly, but attracts visitors
Both do taxy runs

XM603 is at the new Avro heritage centre. Doesn't move, but attracts visitors..

Your logic is slightly flawed, people do however, want to see a Vulcan.

I suspect the desire to see a Vulcan will reduce considerably with the passing of time after XH558 is grounded. I was drawing (so I thought) a comparison between an isolated Vulcan and an aviation museum with regard the relative attraction to visitors. Is the fact the isolated Vulcan can taxi a sufficient draw? I have doubts based on my own experience having visited most of the aviation museums in the UK (several more than once), attended many airshows but never felt compelled to call on a single aircraft.

As for transporting XH558 by road, that really would be twisting the knife...

[aeropilot]

Kitchski said:

I suppose there's always the chance they don't want it back there, of course.....

There are rumours to that effect......