XH558...

[MrAndyW]

just found this on the web site, bugger,,,,,,,

Engine Failure

May 28, 2012 by Ian Homer. Posted to category: General
Update
Engine Failure Update

XH558 was scheduled to take off at noon on May 28th for a crew currency and display training flight. Just after the start of the take-off roll, she experienced problems with two of her Olympus engines. The crew immediately shut all engines down and everyone is safe. At this stage, we don't have any further information but we will keep supporters informed via Twitter (@XH558), Facebook (Vulcan XH558) and the news section (here) of the charity's website (www.vulcantothesky.org).

Unfortunately, this means that she will not be able to fly for at least two weeks, although we will not know exactly how long rectification will take until the problem has been thoroughly investigated.

We will provide further updates when we know more.



Many thanks for supporting Vulcan XH558

[spitfire-ian]

MrAndyW said:

just found this on the web site, bugger,,,,,,,

Engine Failure

May 28, 2012 by Ian Homer. Posted to category: General
Update
Engine Failure Update

XH558 was scheduled to take off at noon on May 28th for a crew currency and display training flight. Just after the start of the take-off roll, she experienced problems with two of her Olympus engines. The crew immediately shut all engines down and everyone is safe. At this stage, we don't have any further information but we will keep supporters informed via Twitter (@XH558), Facebook (Vulcan XH558) and the news section (here) of the charity's website (www.vulcantothesky.org).

Unfortunately, this means that she will not be able to fly for at least two weeks, although we will not know exactly how long rectification will take until the problem has been thoroughly investigated.

We will provide further updates when we know more.



Many thanks for supporting Vulcan XH558

I posted that earlier.

[MartG]

LukeSi said:

Yes, they have 8 which they rotate to ensure that engine wear is even, that way they have spares.

XH558 is fitted with Olympus 202 engines, of which there were only 8 left that were flight rated. I've seen somewhere that there are a few of the 301 version as fitted to some later Vulcans in storage, but the cost of converting XH558 to use them would probably be prohibitive ( never mind the problems of getting the aircraft re-certified aftwerwards )

[LukeSi]

MartG said:

LukeSi said:

Yes, they have 8 which they rotate to ensure that engine wear is even, that way they have spares.

XH558 is fitted with Olympus 202 engines, of which there were only 8 left that were flight rated. I've seen somewhere that there are a few of the 301 version as fitted to some later Vulcans in storage, but the cost of converting XH558 to use them would probably be prohibitive ( never mind the problems of getting the aircraft re-certified aftwerwards )

However unlikely it is, it would be hugely sporting of RR to re-manufacture some Olympus 202s as a donation to VTTS. Not that it will ever happen but it would be nice.

[spitfire-ian]

Although they started with 8 engines to start with, one was taken out due to high bearing wear in 2008 and another was removed for investigation into corrosion.

[LukeSi]

spitfire-ian said:

Although they started with 8 engines to start with, one was taken out due to high bearing wear in 2008 and another was removed for investigation into corrosion.

Bugger, they were down to 6 engines and now from the sound of it two are buggered, sounds like the old girl's flying days may be numbers unless a solution can be found. If they only have four engines left and something like this this happens again, and if what I have heard is correct then the engines are all on high hours which means that the flying time will be limited, displays will be scarce and once the engines are out of time she won't fly again.

[eccles]

Apache said:

2 engines? that's odd. It wasn't unusual for a Victor to lose an engine and promptly lose its neighbour as bits would shoot out the front and into the throat of the one next to it. This was due to the Conways having an extra bit on the front so I'm told. I don't believe the Olympus had those issues

When engines surge they can spit blades out the front, perhaps that's what happened and they were ingested by the other engine.

[aeropilot]

LukeSi said:

spitfire-ian said:

Although they started with 8 engines to start with, one was taken out due to high bearing wear in 2008 and another was removed for investigation into corrosion.

Bugger, they were down to 6 engines and now from the sound of it two are buggered, sounds like the old girl's flying days may be numbers unless a solution can be found. If they only have four engines left and something like this this happens again, and if what I have heard is correct then the engines are all on high hours which means that the flying time will be limited, displays will be scarce and once the engines are out of time she won't fly again.

Yup

If they've toasted 2 engines, then I'd say, that's likely it for good, as with only 4 left, they can't risk flying her anywhere in case of an engine issue away from base, which would mean where ever she was, would be where she would remain - the end.

[Seight_Returns]

That's very sad - I know VTTS have have their critics but I think what they've achieved has been remarkable.

If they've no usable spare engines then I guess this might be it for reasons outlined above. Without professing any real knowledge - I understand that airliners are allowed to take off unladen with one of more engines u/s with CAA dispensation under certain circumstances - does anyone know if XH558's permit makes provision for this ? Is it really all over if they're down to only 4 airworthy engines ?

[PanzerCommander]

Seight_Returns said:

That's very sad - I know VTTS have have their critics but I think what they've achieved has been remarkable.

If they've no usable spare engines then I guess this might be it for reasons outlined above. Without professing any real knowledge - I understand that airliners are allowed to take off unladen with one of more engines u/s with CAA dispensation under certain circumstances - does anyone know if XH558's permit makes provision for this ? Is it really all over if they're down to only 4 airworthy engines ?

Sadly other than local flights near home I guess it could be unfortunately. I don't think XH558 is cleared to be laden anyway, given what she'd normally be laden with

[LukeSi]

PanzerCommander said:

Seight_Returns said:

That's very sad - I know VTTS have have their critics but I think what they've achieved has been remarkable.

If they've no usable spare engines then I guess this might be it for reasons outlined above. Without professing any real knowledge - I understand that airliners are allowed to take off unladen with one of more engines u/s with CAA dispensation under certain circumstances - does anyone know if XH558's permit makes provision for this ? Is it really all over if they're down to only 4 airworthy engines ?

Sadly other than local flights near home I guess it could be unfortunately. I don't think XH558 is cleared to be laden anyway, given what she'd normally be laden with

She should be cleared for laden flight in my opinion. Laden flight over Argentina preferably.

[fatboy69]

LukeSi said:

She should be cleared for laden flight in my opinion. Laden flight over Argentina preferably.

+1 from me on that one.

[Eric Mc]

Sadly, that could be it for the last flying Vulcan. It was good while it lasted.

[fatboy69]

I hope not.

I have never seen her fly - was at two shows last year where the weather grounded her so i had made it my mission to see her airborne this year.

Now it looks as though i will never get to see this magnificent aircraft in the air.

[Seight_Returns]

If the 2 engines had grenaded at V1+ would we be reading a very different and much sadder thread ?

Do Vulcan's fly ok asymmetrically on 2 engines ?

[LukeSi]

Seight_Returns said:

If the 2 engines had grenaded at V1+ would we be reading a very different and much sadder thread ?

Do Vulcan's fly ok asymmetrically on 2 engines ?

I imagine they can however there were three people in the a/c, only two get martin bakers.

[The Boy Lard]

If it is the end, it's very sad, it's some amazing piece of engineering the Vulcan and VTTS (love 'em or hate 'em) have educated a whole load of us general population on the aircraft and how it was when the military were properly funded.

[Godalmighty83]

Rolls do offer a recon/repair service the only real issue is either cost or if the engine has been completely totalled.

I used to have a friend who dealt with the recon/repair work for the marinised version of the Olympus unit, they usually cost a million a piece to sort out but as the engines weren't made any more and were required to power our carriers they had to pay.

Swapping to a different spec of engine is also possible, although again its either cost or getting ratings from the aircraft mafia.

[mrloudly]

"Swapping to a different spec of engine is also possible, although again its either cost or getting ratings from the aircraft mafia"

Thought exactly the same but don't think there's a lot of hope with the C.ampaign A.gainst A.viation...

[Vieste]

Saw her at sunderland few years ago jesus it was loud.