Hey Everyone,
today the skies above England were once more filled with the roar of the Vulcan bomber. XM588 has been restored by a private team of enthusiasts will the help of donations from the British public. I saw its maiden flight on UK tv this afternoon.
I never thought I see one flying again…[^] What a great sight it was.[tup]
You can read about it here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7049694.stm
You are a lucky guy. I’ll bet that was some sight.
Yes, it certainly was. It is hoped that this aircraft will be flying at some UK airshows next year.
I hope I can be at one of those shows, I would would love to be there.[^]
Any chance they will ever fly it across the pond? I would LOVE to see a Vulcan in the air! [tup]
I got to see a Vulcan in the US once, in … 1973? I believe … when Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport was dedicated. That was also the first ever landing of a Concorde in the US, so it was a noisy and high-energy day indeed. Amazing that two aircraft that looked so futuristic and sleek and cutting edge back then exist now only in our memories and these few preserved examples.
The Vulcan really is a sight to see, it has a special place in the hearts of British people because it was seen as a guardian of peace during the early years of the cold war. Somehow, it was always very reassuring to hear it roaring above us. Plus, lets face it-who else has ever deployed such a good looking long range bomber? Its one of those aircraft you neveer get tired of seeing.
The flight of XH558 today was a wonderful event and hopefully the beginning of the last stretch for all of us as members of the “Vulcan to the Sky” trust. Todays flight was carried out not by our pilots but by test pilots who will hopefully re-license her for public displays. Due to the lateness of the season it is unlikey she will fly publicly this year, not least because there are no more major airshows, but hopefully she will be on the public circuit next year. There will be a flight by XH558 at Bruntingthorpe, Leicester for all members of the society before she starts the public circuit but I doubt it will be this year. For those of you who wish to join or find out more information please don’t hesitate to log on to www.tvoc.co.uk and help us support this beautiful lady of the skies - even if you only by a mug from the on-line shop!
Unfortunately, I would be very surprised if she ever made it across the pond for all the fanatics in the USA, although I am no expert and can’t predict her future schedule. It may not be financially viable as one day (as I understand it) she will run out of hours on her airframe and no amount of money will ever increase the lifetime of her license - one day she will be grounded permanently.
But today is not the day for morbid thoughts - what a thunderous sight she is and roll on next years airshow season!
All the best to all
Mooseman
When I was a kid in 1964, we lived on RAF Upper Heyford. Although it was a B-47 base, there were a few visitors from time to time ranging from U-2s to B-58s and an occasional Vulcan. I always loved to see them in their camoflauge paint. Later, in 1979 or 1980, I saw one at Andersen AFB in Guam. It was painted white and gray, but was still a thrill to see one again. Let’s hear it for the Blokes! (our retort for “Yanks”).
Well said![tup]
I think everyone involved in the Vulcan back to the sky project will feel rightfully proud this day.[bow][bow][bow]
Here’s to them.[#toast]
Many years ago a Vulcan flew into Pease Air Force Base on the New Hampshire seacoast for the annual open house. It was the first and only time I had seen one in flight. It was very impressive, especially when it took off and flew down the length of the runway 90 degrees to it…I guess the proper term would be standing on its wing. It’s great to know a Vulcan is flying again.
In 1976, I had the great fortune to see one fly at the annual air show at Castle AFB in Merced, CA. It was impressive to see a true example of aluminum overcast. That aircraft is now on semi-permanent loan to the Castle Air Museum. Even now, parked to the B36, B47 and B52, it is still an impressive aircraft to see.
Mike
We got to see the V-bombers fly at the Cleveland Air Show in 1979.
I saw one at the Offutt AFB open house in the early 80’s. What a sight! Four were stationed there most of the time. We have one in the museum too. I am glad to hear that one is air worthy again. What a spetacular sight it must have been. I still remember on of “Ours” flying over the crowd those many years ago.
[:D] Say’s it all.
Nothing is impossible !!
Damn fine show chaps [bow]
Wait till you hear how LOUD it is [:-^] Can’t wait for it to buzz the homes of the politically correct namby pamby types that are STILL trying to stop our heritage from flying.
I do hope they have the manuals for the H.P.Victor too [8D]
A happy day.
Mick C.
Not to take any thing away from the Vulcan but
I’d have to suggest the Convair B-58 Hustler as a good competitor for this title.
Thanks for posting this Darren. I was wondering if this one would truly get back into the air again. I saw the one in the SAC Museum (XM573) on what is probably close to its last flight in early '82. It was unlike anything I had seen before and it dwarfed the two F-15 chase planes. Funny story is it almost did not make it into the ‘new’ SAC Museum in 1997.
Pat
An absolute thing of beauty that brings a tear to my eye.
I loved that bird and was the reason I went to airshows. It was my mom’s favorite as well. Unfortunatley, she is not here anymore to see it fly again.
I remember being at the Abotsford Airshow in BC, Canada many many years ago and the Vulcan was on doing it’s thing and when it landed, the SR-71 made it’s first Airshow fly-by. We were told to look at the mountains and here this blackbird came right over the runway haulin booty and just kept goin. It was on it’s way back to the US and agreed to fly over. It was a sight I will never forget. I must have been about 10 or 12 at the time.
Brent
I might even suggest that the B-1 Lancer also to be considered except that it is an intermediate range bomber (as is the B-58) and he specifically states “long range bomber”. What defines “long range”?