RE: Vulcan to be grounded
Discussion
8 screws are better than 4 blow jobs any dayUnfortunately someone left FOD in either one, of both, of the air-intakes - it wasn't checked prior to engine start and they lunched either one, or both of the engines on start-up - can't remember the exact details but it happened in July around RIAT/F'boro.
The (new) engines it is cirrently flying on were the last pair...that is one of the untold reasons behind the end of the line for the old girl. And as someone else noted above, MoD/RAF will not provide funding for this, and the companies that once did, and could have kept her flying, are so baldy hit by the huge reduction in defence spending that they can no longer justify or sustain such goodwill off the bottom line as they're not making their numbers or won't if they do. It is unfortunately a perfect storm and a sad day indeed to hear the innevitable confirmed.
However, we should be glad for what we did get (lifewise) and it was amazing what the team did bringing the Vulcan back and getting air worthiness approval again - the dedication and personal effort by a huge number of people and financial support from so many was fantastic, and I am full of admiration for what they've achieved. For me Vulcan is right-up there with Concorde (similar engines too).
PF
The (new) engines it is cirrently flying on were the last pair...that is one of the untold reasons behind the end of the line for the old girl. And as someone else noted above, MoD/RAF will not provide funding for this, and the companies that once did, and could have kept her flying, are so baldy hit by the huge reduction in defence spending that they can no longer justify or sustain such goodwill off the bottom line as they're not making their numbers or won't if they do. It is unfortunately a perfect storm and a sad day indeed to hear the innevitable confirmed.
However, we should be glad for what we did get (lifewise) and it was amazing what the team did bringing the Vulcan back and getting air worthiness approval again - the dedication and personal effort by a huge number of people and financial support from so many was fantastic, and I am full of admiration for what they've achieved. For me Vulcan is right-up there with Concorde (similar engines too).
PF
Saw this a couple of weeks ago flying over Edinburgh (as it was on its way back from RAF Leuchars ive been told). I was at my work at the top of the dry ski slope and it flew by on a massive banked turn at a lower altitude to myself. Everyone on the slopes just stopped and stared in awe. Genuinely one of the coolest things ive seen.
Thank goodness.
Whenever I read about this aircraft I couldn't help thinking it was akin to a once great boxer who was now on life-support, pumped full of drugs and kept breathing just for the fans to wave at.
The Vulcan, and most military aircraft of later generations are not going to be kept going by enthusiasts, they are too complex and expensive. Put the money into simpler aircraft that are viable propositions.
Whenever I read about this aircraft I couldn't help thinking it was akin to a once great boxer who was now on life-support, pumped full of drugs and kept breathing just for the fans to wave at.
The Vulcan, and most military aircraft of later generations are not going to be kept going by enthusiasts, they are too complex and expensive. Put the money into simpler aircraft that are viable propositions.
One of those things I haven't got around to doing, despite being in absolute awe of them. Remember being a lot younger and staring up, wide mouthed at the static at Duxford. This was a long time ago, so forgive me I don't know her number.
Would love to have the money to be able to keep her going.
Would love to have the money to be able to keep her going.
Gizmoish said:
XH558 in a few years, and XL426 at Southend... how many more are there sitting around growing mould? 
Apparently 15 in the UK, with some more dotted about the world, Canada, USA, Australia, http://studysupport.info/vulcanbomber/survivors.ht...I think there were more, but some may have been scrapped after rotting away in all weathers. Hopefully XH558's operators have got all the usable parts from the static exhibits before they deteriorated beyond use.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/4181...
Warning. This link contains images of a particularly distressing nature: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=141...
As an aside, I remember attending the 'Battle of Britain At Home' days, annually in September, as I recall, at RAF St Athan, where a lot of the engineering was done for the Vulcan fleet. Every year there'd be at least one in the flying display, with several dotted around on static display. Toward the end of their service, many of them ended up in a compound over the road from the main airfield. I think it was for fire/crash training, as they would be 'staged' with various landing gear failures. Sad even back then, late seventies/early eighties, but even worse, looking back, to contemplate how many useful components and 'younger' airframes met their end before someone realised what we were about to lose, and did something about saving them.
As far as ground running destroying engines goes, when an aircraft is only used for 'fast taxi' runs, the engine can be used in excess of it's hours rating for flying operations, as there is no longer a risk of the 'plane falling from the sky, but there is still a finite life span for a jet engine. Eventually there will be no Vulcans left anywhere which would be capable of moving under their own power. At least the static display future of those in the care of IWM Duxford, and RAF Museum north and south should be assured.
ETA:
Found a link to the South Wales Aviation Group, with lists of all the flying/static exhibits at St Athan over the years, some with interesting photographs of visiting aircraft over the years. Explore at your leisure. http://ciapoldiescorner.blogspot.co.uk/search/labe...
and check this lot out for 'Historic Aircraft Lost Forever' http://ciapoldiescorner.blogspot.co.uk/search/labe... - loads of history scrapped when the Wales Air Museum closed.
Edited by yellowjack on Friday 12th October 19:08
BlackCup said:
Ah this is such a shame I saw one at this years farnborough air show, it was simply amazing...
You do get that there is only one of them flying? So you didn't 'one', you saw 'it' 
And I agree, she was simply stunning at FB... It's nice having an office right next to the airfield. Not as noisy as some will have you beleive (well not when she is on the same flight roster as a Super Hornet), but such an utterly lovely and unique sound.
Such a shame. Wonderful aircraft that sends shiver down your back when they throttle up.
I feel fortunate that XL426 at Southend is a 5 minute drive from me. While she may not fly, the team looking after her are doing a top job with what they have to keep her alive on the ground. I'd love to see the old girl barrelling down the runway again even if she never flies, although she did a few years back accidentally!
With any luck, XH558 will be in safe hands too and around for many years to come.
I feel fortunate that XL426 at Southend is a 5 minute drive from me. While she may not fly, the team looking after her are doing a top job with what they have to keep her alive on the ground. I'd love to see the old girl barrelling down the runway again even if she never flies, although she did a few years back accidentally!
With any luck, XH558 will be in safe hands too and around for many years to come.
Aizle said:
simonigrale said:
We saw this a couple of weekends ago flying over Tamworth when it was doing a 3 hour tour of all the places that were involved in its development. Looked really intimidating in the sky. Awesome sight, I nearly crashed the car !!!
How d'you think the Argies felt? Hardly surprising really.
I remember being interested even before the first flight took place- a lot of people told me it would never happen,.
I reckon I've put in over £200 into the fund in the last few years (not a lot in the scheme of things but as a non involved spectator it was all I could justify)
Since the first flight we've been steadily bombarded wirh emails with requests for more and more money and 2 things that struck me with the initial fund raising activity were firstly that once it was in the air they seemed surprised how much it would cost to keep it there and secondaly it seemed to surprise them that in this day of multi national commerce no one wanted to be seen to finacially sponsor a plane that was built to deliver an atom bomb.
Recent fundraising has been much more professional but even if everyone who had admired her had actually put their hands in their pockets it wouldn't have ultimately made much difference- there are some obstacles which money cant overcome.
Its been a priveledge to see her fly and a credit to those involved but sadly it's time to let it go I think
I remember being interested even before the first flight took place- a lot of people told me it would never happen,.
I reckon I've put in over £200 into the fund in the last few years (not a lot in the scheme of things but as a non involved spectator it was all I could justify)
Since the first flight we've been steadily bombarded wirh emails with requests for more and more money and 2 things that struck me with the initial fund raising activity were firstly that once it was in the air they seemed surprised how much it would cost to keep it there and secondaly it seemed to surprise them that in this day of multi national commerce no one wanted to be seen to finacially sponsor a plane that was built to deliver an atom bomb.
Recent fundraising has been much more professional but even if everyone who had admired her had actually put their hands in their pockets it wouldn't have ultimately made much difference- there are some obstacles which money cant overcome.
Its been a priveledge to see her fly and a credit to those involved but sadly it's time to let it go I think
Showing my age now but in 1967 I was in the ATC and we were at summer camp at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland.
This base was the home of the Vulcan V Bombers and gawped in awe as they took to the skies every day. I distinctly remember one night being awoken by the whole squadron taking off one after the other,must have been about 12 or more.
This base was the home of the Vulcan V Bombers and gawped in awe as they took to the skies every day. I distinctly remember one night being awoken by the whole squadron taking off one after the other,must have been about 12 or more.
Swervin_Mervin said:
Don't they do this every year, in a bid to boost the coffers?
Don't see why the RAF can't look to extend their collection beyond the BBMF and adopt the Vulcan.
I have said this all along. Cameron keeps on banging on about national pride. Then he wants to start here. I saw it at Dunsfold this year. First time I saw one flying since I was a kid. Brought a lump to my throat and a feeling of national pride. Don't see why the RAF can't look to extend their collection beyond the BBMF and adopt the Vulcan.
Some of our taxes should be going to keep historic aircraft with a strong national heritage in the air. Rather than some of the crap they do with our money.
Terrible shame, but inevitable I guess. If it was simply money required, one would hope that Branson or someone similar would pitch in.
I went down to Filton to see the fly past the other week, will definitely go to a couple of airshows in 2013.
XH558 by binaryimage, on Flickr
I went down to Filton to see the fly past the other week, will definitely go to a couple of airshows in 2013.
XH558 by binaryimage, on Flickr
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