View Full Version : Last season for the Vulcan bomber
Not sure how many aviation buffs are on the Org but it is going to be the last flying season of Vulcan XH558 due to engineering support being withdrawn. I have never seen a Vulcan fly so may try and get to one of the shows listed here: http://www.vulcantothesky.org/appearances.html
Once the season ends there will be no more airworthy Vulcans
Saw this plane at RIAT 2 years ago and it's amazing.
dirtydog
16-05-15, 12:31 PM
Saw the Vulcan last year at Dunsfold, will most likely be going back again this year.
As L3nny says, an amazing plane
Although there is only one flying Vulcan there is also one in Stratford upon Avon which does fast taxis
http://www.xm655.com/events.php
garynortheast
16-05-15, 03:32 PM
Although there is only one flying Vulcan there is also one in Stratford upon Avon which does fast taxis
http://www.xm655.com/events.php
Will it pick me up from the pub and take me home quickly after a night out?
Teejayexc
16-05-15, 05:58 PM
Not sure how many aviation buffs are on the Org but it is going to be the last flying season of Vulcan XH558 due to engineering support being withdrawn. I have never seen a Vulcan fly so may try and get to one of the shows listed here: http://www.vulcantothesky.org/appearances.html
Once the season ends there will be no more airworthy Vulcans
I live near Scampton and remember seeing and hearing, (thunder doesn't come close), them take off/ fly/ land. To coin an amercanism...friggin' awesome!
Sad day, if the plans for support withdrawal come to pass :(
maviczap
16-05-15, 07:11 PM
Saw one years ago, amazing plane, go see it before its gone
dizzyblonde
16-05-15, 07:50 PM
It was scheduled to fly on the Saturday at Southport Airshow last year, but due to naff weather it didn't.
We were really surprised to see it when we went on the Sunday and it turned up. We weren't disappointed. I really made use of my new camera set up and got a fabulous shot of its bomb bay :-D
Although there is only one flying Vulcan there is also one in Stratford upon Avon which does fast taxis
When not on the move it can be visited and for a small donation you may actually get to take a peek inside :)
Seen one fly a few times. Fantastic aircraft. I was lucky enough to work on one as part of a museum restoration (non flyer) a few years back and really enjoyed that.
Seeing (and hearing) one fly is certainly a goosebumps moment if you like that sort of thing. Olympus engines have that effect 😃
Bluepete
17-05-15, 07:31 AM
The party piece at air displays was to fly away from the airfield and go very high. It would then dive towards the crowd and pull up right overhead, engines on 100% and climb as near vertical as possible! The ground used to shake! Kids were crying, picnics were blown away, general mayhem ensued, and as the roar dissipated, all you could hear was me and my brother giggling like idiots!
Pete ;)
The party piece at air displays was to fly away from the airfield and go very high. It would then dive towards the crowd and pull up right overhead, engines on 100% and climb as near vertical as possible! The ground used to shake! Kids were crying, picnics were blown away, general mayhem ensued, and as the roar dissipated, all you could hear was me and my brother giggling like idiots!
Pete ;)
A bit like this? :)
EU1VSCph-G8
When not on the move it can be visited and for a small donation you may actually get to take a peek inside :)
Indeed it can. Just last weekend I'd arranged a visit for The Sporting Bears. Fantastic 3 hour tour, with the chance to even get into the cockpit.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j5/Lissasv650/IMG_5958_Vulcan_090515_zpsaett216e.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/user/Lissasv650/media/IMG_5958_Vulcan_090515_zpsaett216e.jpg.html)
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j5/Lissasv650/IMG_5962_Vulcan_090515_zps5weqlal5.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/user/Lissasv650/media/IMG_5962_Vulcan_090515_zps5weqlal5.jpg.html)
If you'd like to see the Vulcan doing it's fast taxy runs, this is the event to go to this year....
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j5/Lissasv650/poster_zpsxg0j0rxx.jpg (http://s76.photobucket.com/user/Lissasv650/media/poster_zpsxg0j0rxx.jpg.html)
We'll be there, so amble on by an say Hello! :)
Bluepete
17-05-15, 09:35 AM
A bit like this? :)
EU1VSCph-G8
That's awesome! Back in the 80's though, there were no restrictions on overflying the crowd. It would dive from high in front, straight at the crowd, the pull up overhead.
Then a star fighter would do it, then a Lightning. Noisy fun!
Ah, memories.
Pete ;)
maviczap
17-05-15, 09:39 AM
yes, I remember seeing the Lightning at Ipswich airport, its party peice was a low pass, followed by a vertical climb using its afterburners.
It shattered the control tower windows when it did this. :p
Luckypants
17-05-15, 10:30 AM
I live near Scampton and remember seeing and hearing, (thunder doesn't come close), them take off/ fly/ land. To coin an amercanism...friggin' awesome!
Sad day, if the plans for support withdrawal come to pass :(I remember being there as a kid, watching them take off from the end of the runway, we were there so long the MPs came to see what we were up to but my mam and dad explained why we were having a picnic at the end of the runway!
I saw the Vulcan at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year and it is still awesome! If this is to be it's last year, I'm definitely going to get to see it again!
There is a static Vulcan at the Midland Air Museum near Coventry. When I last visited, you could climb into the cockpit and look into the bomb bay but in these days of elf & safety, that's probably not allowed any more. http://www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk/about.php
In 1964 I was with the ATC visiting RAF Waddington when, standing on the peri track, 3 Vulcans landed almost as one. Even from 200 yards away the sound was ear splitting from 12 Olympus engines. On another occasion, at RAF Marham, we had just crossed the runway when a Lightning took off almost over our heads and went near vertical on afterburners. Now that was LOUD.
I used to love watching Vulcan's coming home to Woodford to display when I worked there. Will be sadly missed. Love this pic below ( if it works ).
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s851x315/11053119_1644202045811188_7885195041505272648_n.jp g?oh=1d4adebee6225454fc531931786a459e&oe=560841CE
It's been the last year of flying for at least the last 6 years of Farnborough. This time it may be real but don't be surprised if it pops up at airshows again for a few more years to rattle your lungs.
Costs a fortune I believe due to the rotation of the engines owing to a strict limit on running hours,and of course there are only a limited number of them knocking about !!!
I remember seeing it at the next to last RAF Finningley Air Show,must have been 23-24 years ago,flew past so slow (seemed as if was going to stall),had the bomb bay doors open at the time and I seem to remember it turned and then flew past while throttling up for a quick getaway,that made the ground under your feet shake,I've been in 2 earthquakes and that's just what it felt like!!!
Shawthing
10-10-15, 07:00 PM
Farewell Tour (North) today.
some pics.
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m617/shawthing3/Vulcan_1_zpskj9o0rqy.jpg (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/shawthing3/media/Vulcan_1_zpskj9o0rqy.jpg.html)
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m617/shawthing3/Vulcan_2_zpso45trgmr.jpg (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/shawthing3/media/Vulcan_2_zpso45trgmr.jpg.html)
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m617/shawthing3/Vulcan_3_zpsv1uid2uz.jpg (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/shawthing3/media/Vulcan_3_zpsv1uid2uz.jpg.html)
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m617/shawthing3/Vulcan_4_zps0ab2pqcp.jpg (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/shawthing3/media/Vulcan_4_zps0ab2pqcp.jpg.html)
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m617/shawthing3/Vulcan_5_zps0zocagog.jpg (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/shawthing3/media/Vulcan_5_zps0zocagog.jpg.html)
http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m617/shawthing3/Vulcan_6_zps0pqqk916.jpg (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/shawthing3/media/Vulcan_6_zps0pqqk916.jpg.html)
Bluepete
10-10-15, 08:04 PM
Ohhh, where were you?
I waited for a flypast between Wharton and Barton, near Horwich.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5709/22045889516_f204bc4981_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zA7WTo)Vulcan XH558 (https://flic.kr/p/zA7WTo) by valandpetephillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/56319875@N06/), on Flickr
Pete ;)
Shawthing
10-10-15, 09:03 PM
Ohhh, where were you
;)
Pics were taken from top of a railway bridge just to the west of Mobberley, Cheshire. Was really lucky it came so close.
timwilky
11-10-15, 10:41 AM
I had hoped it would come overhead as it passed south from Warton, Also no, I listened and listened. But never heard it.
Sir Trev
11-10-15, 04:45 PM
Tim - I was surprised at how quiet she was when I saw her over Bicester today on the Southern Tour. Good job someone shouted "here it comes" as most of us were not ready. Too be fair she was a bit ahead of schedule too. So graceful.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5819/21905931028_4cabce74a6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/znKC71)Vulcan over Bicester (https://flic.kr/p/znKC71) by Trevor Laight (https://www.flickr.com/photos/116210840@N03/), on Flickr
I was surprised at how quiet she was...
Each engine has its own volume control in the cockpit. The loud setting is primarily for taking off and frightening Argentinians.
Luckypants
12-10-15, 01:17 PM
Each engine has its own volume control in the cockpit. The loud setting is primarily for taking off and frightening Argentinians.
Ha ha! :cool:
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IMHO, it's an absolute travesty that she's being grounded for bureaucratic reasons rather than technical problems. The Vulcan is a piece of British engineering heritage and one (at least) deserves to be flying for as long as is possible.
FWIW, there's an online government petition trying to get the grounding decision reconsidered. More signatures are required. Please think about adding your name. Link (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104358)
millemille
14-10-15, 05:34 PM
IMHO, it's an absolute travesty that she's being grounded for bureaucratic reasons rather than technical problems. The Vulcan is a piece of British engineering heritage and one (at least) deserves to be flying for as long as is possible.
FWIW, there's an online government petition trying to get the grounding decision reconsidered. More signatures are required. Please think about adding your name. Link (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104358)
It's got nothing to do with bureaurocracy.
From Vulcan to the Sky website...
Unfortunately, having evaluated a great many factors, the three expert companies on whom we depend – BAE Systems, Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group and Rolls-Royce, together known as the ‘technical authorities’ - have collectively decided to cease their support at the end of this flying season. Without that support, under Civil Aviation Authority regulations, we are prohibited from flying.
At the heart of their decision are two factors. First, although we are all confident that XH558 is currently as safe as any aircraft flying today, her structure and systems are already more than ten percent beyond the flying hours of any other Vulcan, so knowing where to look for any possible failure will become gradually more difficult. Second, maintaining her superb safety record requires expertise that is increasingly difficult to find. Our technical partners already bring specialists out of retirement specifically to work on XH558; a solution that is increasingly impractical for those businesses as the necessary skills and knowledge become distant in their collective memories.
Well if their short of expertise try this...
punyXpress
14-10-15, 07:27 PM
Not forgetting the final flight of the Sea King helicopter.
Fordward
14-10-15, 08:17 PM
I've been quite lucky, see the Vulcan on a regular basis as I live close to Sywell where the Blades Acrobatic team are based. It was flying around low over my house most of yesterday on it's final flight with them and a Spitfire.
I also saw a Sea King this afternoon came over low while I was driving up the M3.
Fordward
14-10-15, 08:28 PM
This was yesterday....
The tip of the tail of the Vulcan on the last photo is pointing almost exactly to my house.
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd82/colinbal4/1799885_844251072362071_4764089512240843261_o_zpsa ad5cszl.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd82/colinbal4/12132426_844251065695405_2973357480747160879_o_zps 3tphjf7j.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd82/colinbal4/12139917_844251062362072_2915885249357619315_o_zps t085z2uz.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd82/colinbal4/12068863_844251059028739_5300133595350198881_o_zps sr4nvemh.jpg
maviczap
22-11-15, 09:53 PM
Heads up for next Sunday on C4, Guy Martin - last flight of the vulcan
Bluepete
22-11-15, 11:13 PM
Heads up for next Sunday on C4, Guy Martin - last flight of the vulcan
Booked.
Pete ;)
Red Herring
23-11-15, 08:15 AM
Booked.
Pete ;)
Bet you don't say that often.....boom boom!
Thanks for the tip off, recording set.
daveangel
24-11-15, 01:15 PM
For all of us 'down sarf' there is also Vulcan XL426 preserved in running/taxying condition by a dedicated group of enthusiasts in their spare time at Southend Airport. She was the original Vulcan display aircraft from 1984-86 after the squadrons retired them, she was replaced by XH558 when she too was nearly out of flying life. Visit www.avrovulcan.com/ (http://www.avrovulcan.com/)
I think there is another Vulcan at Norwich Aviation museum (XM612)
There's another at Wellesbourne, near Stratford-upon-Avon.
XM655 (http://xm655.com/about.php)
andrewsmith
26-11-15, 10:08 PM
There is one near Sunderland
It might be xl319 as one was destroyed by fire
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daveangel
27-11-15, 06:21 PM
Yes, Vulcan XL319 is at North East Aircraft Museum, Sunderland . The last one to die was XL391 at Blackpool which with very little looking after rotted away in the seaside salt atmosphere, even the nose couldn't be saved as an exhibit:(. Apparently Vulcan XM607 the 'Gate Guardian' at RAF Waddington which flew the famous first attack and 2 more on the runway at Port Stanley during the Falklands war is not in a good state either and may have a similar fate eventually:(.
It appears there are quite a few still around, 16 as static units around the world and another 3 three in (close to) operable condition.
Wikipedia summary here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surviving_Avro_Vulcans)
There's another at Wellesbourne, near Stratford-upon-Avon.
XM655 (http://xm655.com/about.php)
At an air field with a Café called 'Touchdown' IIRC. Its a good ride up there from down south.
Guy Martin is doing a programme about the bomber
Sunday 29th November 7.30pm channel 4
Sir Trev
28-11-15, 02:53 PM
At an air field with a Café called 'Touchdown' IIRC. Its a good ride up there from down south.
Is that the place you took us to on a run a couple of years ago? I left my glasses in the topbox when we went in to the cafe and kept squinting to the other end of the runway as I thought there was a Vulcan down there but could not see it properly... Will have to go for a ride up there again just in case :cool:
Is that the place you took us to on a run a couple of years ago? I left my glasses in the topbox when we went in to the cafe and kept squinting to the other end of the runway as I thought there was a Vulcan down there but could not see it properly... Will have to go for a ride up there again just in case :cool:
It is indeed! Hoping to get back up there next year a few more times.
Anyone see the programme?
It took its time but was very interesting.
maviczap
30-11-15, 07:49 AM
Yes, it was a good prog, although spoilt a bit by Guy not being able to fly in it.
andrewsmith
30-11-15, 08:15 AM
It was a shame
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Fordward
30-11-15, 10:11 PM
Watching it on All4 now. When the Blade pilot says to Guy, "The Vulcan is going to accelerate away now, you might want to film it", then you see the ground, my house is in the bottom right corner of the screen, and though you couldn't see it from that height, I'm hanging out of a velux window with a pair of binoculars.
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yorkie_chris
01-12-15, 01:32 PM
What a shame, and what interesting history of the whole V force.
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