Return Of The Vulcan

[fagey]

Just heard this morning that, all things going to plan, the vulcan will make its first public appearance for years in 12 weeks... at the magnificent Jersey International Air Display.. only fitting as its last performance was also here 

Quote from local news site:

'AIR DISPLAY

The Jersey International Air Display in September could see the first visit of the Vulcan aeroplane in twelve years.

If test flights next month are successful, the plane will make its first ever appearance at an airshow since being rebuilt.

The design was phased out by the RAF in the 90s, as it was too expensive to operate.'

check out some of the beauties we had last year!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/jersey/content/image_galleries/ad06_main_aubins_gallery.shtml

[mgmark]

Very fond memories of the great tin triangle in operation, and what a grand moment it will be to see one back in the air, trusting with crossed fingers that the flight testing and certification go according to plan.  It seems that all is set for ejection seat fitting this week, with the first engine runs apparently scheduled for next week.  Four Olympuses turning and burning in glorious unison....aaahhh, the earth will truly shake.    

Speculation abounds about when the first test flight out of Bruntingthorpe will be, but the rumour mill seems to be saying now that in the next 3-4 weeks is possible, although there's an unnderstandable concern over publicising it, with the likely outcome of all roads around Bruntingthorpe becoming chock full of cars with people turning up to watch. 

And what a long gestation period she has had, landing at Bruntingthorpe in 1993, with it taking until 2005 to get everything needed in place to actually start the restoration to flying condition.  Hats off to all those involved in that long haul.  For those interested, more detail and ongoing news on the site and forums here: http://www.tvoc.co.uk/

If you do end up with XH558's first display being at Jersey, then you are a lucky, lucky chap!

MG Mark

[Nobby Diesel]

This is wonderful news!
The V Bomber is an aircraft very close to my heart, as this is the aircraft that my dad used to fly in.

It will be great to see and hear one flying again.

I think a trip to Jersey may be in order.

[Andy Zarse]

In the meantime, whilst we're waiting for the chaps to put the Vulcan back in the air, I have to say this one brought a bit of a lump to the throat...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LpH0gDSqrMs

[fagey]

I will keep you all informed.. and you are all most welcome over

[stuey]

Hope I'm at home for the test flight.

My house is about 100 yards from Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome.
It will be like its taking off from my garden

[Lancs Se7en]

We used to see and hear these monsters taking off from what was the AV Roe & Co site at Woodford Cheshire. Regular visits in those days to plane spot at Ringway (Manchester International) was often rewarded with a Vulcan doing a "circuits and bumps"
Scorched grass was always a sign that a Vulcan has been through.
Cant wait to see the new reports and maybe have on flying over this neck of the woods.

[Lord Steve]

Always remember driving south on the A1 at Catterick about 20 years ago and I was stopped, along with all the traffic in both directions for about 10 mins without explanation from the police. Suddenly I heard, before I saw, a Vulcan coming in to land at just about car roof level over the motorway.
It was explained on the local evening news that the runway was a bit on the short side for the Vulcan and it needed to get its wheels down as soon as possible after the motorway!
Awesome

Any Lancaster enthusiasts out there?

Steve

[mgmark]

Any Lancaster enthusiasts out there?

Enthusiastic about pretty much anything with a prop, or a jet, from the Suttleworth's Blackburn monoplane to the latest wizardry that we are getting in service now.  Matched only by being a petrolhead. but there has always been a special affinity for the Lancaster, with those 4 Merlins producing that certain sound......and an old family friend, who had flown them extensively in WW2 was one of the main inspirations for me joining up in the first place....

MG Mark

[Lancs Se7en]

My old man flew Libs during WW11 and I've got loads of old pictures including one when they had a mustang escort on return from a bombing run.
I have considered giving the log book etc to the RAF museum but somehow cant bring myself to part with the stuff.

One particular entry always makes me smile, thus

15/04/45 18.30 hours KL372..........Returned to base due to loss of fuel, owing to loose petrol cap on No 2 tank. Port fuel guages U/S

And if I run out of fuel I just walk to the garage?

[grumpy]

In the meantime, whilst we're waiting for the chaps to put the Vulcan back in the air, I have to say this one brought a bit of a lump to the throat...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LpH0gDSqrMs

that is glorious, simply glorious

[Chris24]

Any Lancaster enthusiasts out there?

Steve

Funny you should ask, but I was out at Northampton Raceway last weekend watching the F1 stockcars, I just happened to look behind me in time to see the City Of Lincoln flying over. Just enough time to get the camera out and get a few distant shots. This was last Sunday so it was probably on the way home from Fairford.

[Chris24]

Hope I'm at home for the test flight.

My house is about 100 yards from Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome.
It will be like its taking off from my garden

Any local or inside knowledge would be welcome, I would give up a days holiday from work to go down to Bruntingthorpe to watch her fly again for the first time. Afterall i did go to her 30th birthday party at Woodford several years ago

[Leftie]

In the meantime, whilst we're waiting for the chaps to put the Vulcan back in the air, I have to say this one brought a bit of a lump to the throat...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LpH0gDSqrMs

I thought it scandulous to drum out those beautifull Merlins with that music, but yes lump in throat time.

However, Spitfires and Hurricanes play only a minor role in the 'Battle of Malta' in 1940.  The thre main 'heroes' were Sea Gladiators named Faith, Hope and Charity. These three aircraft held of the invadeing forces much on their own.

For those that can't remember, the Sea Gladiator was a Bi-Plane.  And up against the modern Luftwaffe with ME109's etc, etc.

This thread started with the Vulcan.  My old man used to work on then in what they used to call 'radiophonics'.  He also worked on  prior to that on Spits, Hurricanes, Mosquitos, Hunters, you name it.

Vulcan XM607 bombed Stanley airport, there is a superb book by Rowland White 'Vulcan 607' about the raid.  I bought my Dad that last Christmas.  About 20 yrs ago (a big 'about') I bought my Dad 'Corporate Prelude' by Philip West, limited edition print of XM607 on it's way to Stanley.

I just hope I can take my Dad to see the revitalised Vulcan in flight as he will undoubtably worked on it when it first entered service.


[/quote]Any local or inside knowledge would be welcome, I would give up a days holiday from work to go down to Bruntingthorpe to watch her fly again for the first time. Afterall i did go to her 30th birthday party at Woodford several years ago[/quote]


Chris,

What is her 'number'?

Jerry

[Chris24]

XH558 of course !

I have or at least had a small piece of I think XM607. I think that is the aircraft that was sat on the fire dump at RAF Macrahanish (Can't spell that RAF base). We had a cadet camp there and during an exercise, I went over to her and sat in the cockpit. The part I had was a twisted piece of metal where a shell had gone through her wing in the Falklands.