XH558...

[occrj]

I took the opportunity to have a look at Woodford's XM603 recently, it seems that there are interesting plans for both the Heritage Centre (which is in the process of re-locating on site) and 603 being put together at the moment.



(pls excuse the non-aero content of this shot )

RJ

[Chippo1]

We , Honda s2000 owners , members of S2Ki paid a visit to XM655 yesterday

[H100S]

Any news on the first flight, I was hoping it would get up this week. Friend said it was doing engine tests the other day so it must be close?

[Chippo1]

H100s , are you talking about XM655 because it will never fly unless you can write a cheque for around 30 million squids.

[H100S]

Chippo1 said:

H100s , are you talking about XM655 because it will never fly unless you can write a cheque for around 30 million squids.

No mate, I'm on about XH558.

[spitfire-ian]

H100S said:

Any news on the first flight, I was hoping it would get up this week. Friend said it was doing engine tests the other day so it must be close?

They've dragged it outside to do engine runs this afternoon.

[spitfire-ian]

First engine run completed according to Twitter

[surveyor]

spitfire-ian said:

First engine run completed according to Twitter

They've been treating this pm I think. The missus has asked what the strange noise is!

[Ledaig]

No display (flying or static) at RIAT

VTTS said:

It's with deep disappointment that I have to let XH558's supporters know that she will not be appearing at RIAT this year.

As in all previous years since first flight in 2007, we met with organisers of RIAT earlier this year to negotiate our display contract for displays on both the Saturday and Sunday and, as in previous years, with XH558 parked close to the Vulcan Village for tours.

The RIAT organisers decided to defer any decision on the Vulcan pending a better understanding of which aircraft and display teams would be attending from the foreign air forces invited.

Despite regular follow-up, it wasn't until the beginning of May that we were notified the Saturday display programme was full and that the only opportunity to display might be on the Sunday.

Today, we have been informed that the Sunday display is now full, and that RIAT's offer of a Vulcan display on the Sunday had consequently been withdrawn.

We were instead offered a static position for XH558 crowd-side with a nearby site for trading. However we have a duty of care to those of our volunteers who staff the Vulcan Village not to risk exposing them to visitors expecting to see XH558 flying who complain that she is not.

For this reason, and the significant costs involved in bringing XH558, the Vulcan Village and the team to Fairford for the weekend, we have decided to decline RIAT's offer of a static position.

We know that you, XH558's supporters, want to see her fly; please check our web site to look for the other display appearances that she will making around the country during this year’s display season.

Best regards

Robert Pleming

Bugger.

[onyx39]

Sounds like RIAT has shafted them. GITS

[Ledaig]

onyx39 said:

Sounds like RIAT has shafted them. GITS

Very much so, I've yet to see anything on the RIAT website which would justify this decision. The organisers have managed to exclude one of the few aircraft which the British public (among others) will happily pay to see almost regardless of what else features on the program. In my opinion, a very poor and very short sighted decision given the flying lifespan the Vulcan has.

I also feel it was extremely arrogant of the organisers to offer a static position, good on the VTTS for turning it down, and I hope they can find additional displays for that weekend.

People want to see this in the air not shoved into a corner of a static display.

[24lemons]

That's an extremely disappointing decision and shame on RIAT for not accommodating the Vulcan. Were some of the contributors afraid o being upstaged? The Vulcan and the red arrows were the only two contributors that made everyone stand up and take notice.

[Ledaig]

RIAT response....

RIAT


ETA
Interestingly the VTTS website is down and showing bandwidth exceeded, possibly a technical glitch or possibly a shed load of people wondering what the hell has gone on.

Edited by Ledaig on Friday 30th May 19:11

[fatboy69]

Well & truly shafted.

As others have said 558 & the Red Arrows are the star attractions to any air show - at least I always thought so.

Obviously the RIAT organisers think differently where 558 is concerned.


The Facebook page says that the VTTS server crashed due to overwhelming demand - or words to the effect.

[onyx39]

I really hope that people vote with their feet on this. I imagine a lot of people pay good money just to see the Vulcan, and hopefully this will be reflected in ticket sales.

[AJLintern]

When you think how much money so many people have donated to see XH558 fly, for the premier air show in the country not to have automatically reserved a display slot for it is incredibly short sighted, specially considering the very short flying time remaining. Very poor.

[eccles]

Or (playing devils advocate), perhaps they shouldn't have told everyone they were going to be there until their slot was confirmed.....

[Dr Jekyll]

eccles said:

Or (playing devils advocate), perhaps they shouldn't have told everyone they were going to be there until their slot was confirmed.....

They didn't.

[onyx39]

[Ossiantoad]

I can see a static Vulcan anytime I want for free at Hendon. I'll pay good money and travel a long way to see one flying. I really can't see the point of 558 going to RIAT if it's not going to do a proper display. Hopefully it can go and show off somewhere else that weekend, perhaps a village fete or something!