Vulcan XH558

No pictures, but did (just) manage to see her over Duxford at the weekend.

Seriously? It's always about these factors - as they approach the limit, the companies supporting the aircraft have to make a judgement about whether they are happy to keep it in the air. If there was plenty of life left in engines and airframe, it wouldn't be an issue. Just because they have made the decision to stop before one or the other has run out completely doesn't mean it's a conspiracy to stop her flying. A joint decision means no one organisation has to take the inevitable flak.

Just be grateful for the extra years we've had - none of them had to support her flying again (as the interesting group of people who think Concorde will fly again seem unable to grasp).

Stu

 

A couple from Shuttleworth's Military Pageant at Old Warden.
XH558[1a] by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

XH558[2] by KING COBRA 92, on Flickr

 

Good pictures - better than mine

 

Thanks.

 

See further up this thread. I was at Throckmorton for the first display by 558 this year.

 

A little late, but here is my footage of XH558 in action during Yeovilton Air Day last Saturday. Great to see her again!

 

A few from Rhyl air show this afternoon. Lots of noise, some fast passes, and pretty close as well.

 

Well...we set off for Uffington White Horse Show (Oxfordshire) today in decent weather. Got there early but it started raining and the clouds moved in. Fabulous crowds all over the hills awaiting XH558. Still, Twitter feed on....crew on board..taxi..in the air..passing Newark...Bruntingthorpe....and then it went dead. 20 mins later, tweet to say that it was back at Robin Hood Airport due to bad weather and we were all still waiting patiently. Cue lots of disappointed people trudging back to the car park

Completely understandable of course and the right decision but you can just imagine the sighs from spectators at Dunsfold and the other places looking forward to seeing this magnificent aircraft today.

 

Weather at Dunsfold was terrible yesterday, so not the greatest pics, but here are a few anyway.
Just 5 more official weekends of flying left


Avro Vulcan XH558 : Wings and Wheels 2015 by Tim White, on Flickr


Avro Vulcan XH558 : Wings and Wheels 2015 by Tim White, on Flickr


Avro Vulcan XH558 : Wings and Wheels 2015 by Tim White, on Flickr

Plenty of other heritage plances and cars about.
Hmmm, "Wings and Wheels" - Who's going to be the first to organise a static display of slightly larger (Steam powered) wheels???

 

Steampunk!!

Didn't bother with Dunsfold this time round - couldn't be @rsed............

 

A good day at Dunsfold yesterday despite the weather turning crap in the afternoon. An emotional day too with a minutes silence for the Shoreham victims. A lot of respect from the large crowd as it was completely silent. Also had a lump in the throat for the Vulcan display. What an entrance by XH558 as she howled along the whole length of the site with a fast pass. Superb!

 

How long has she got left?

 

Final planned display is 26th September
http://www.vulcantothesky.org/appearances.html

Whether there will be any final positioning flights, or whether she will end the 26th by flying direct to her final resting place (Robin Hood Airport I believe), I don't know.

 

That date may not be her final display. May be her final airshow but talk is that October will see an event to mark her retirement.

 

She put on a fine display at Dartmouth yesterday. As I was situated on the eastern side of Dartmouth I had great views of her as she banked and turned to make further runs down river. Good memories for anyone ex RAF.

 

I wish you lot wouldn't rub it in about yesterday's displays after today's aborted trip Only joking!

It was a stunning location, in the right weather.

 

It was a very good display at Rhyl. Apparently flew low (ish) over Bala lake afterwards heading back south.

 

I saw the BBMF's Dakota fly south over Llanuwchllyn on Sunday afternoon just after 3pm, which had also been at Rhyl.

 

Here is a video (not mine) of the impressive arrival and display from the Vulcan at Dunsfold on Saturday. The howl makes the hairs on your neck stand up: