And the tears were rolling down my cheeks

[anubis]

Watched Guy Martin last night with the Vulcan, when that howl came shivers from the neck down and tears.  He was one lucky person getting that chance.  

Watched her do her last fly past on the way to Cosford.  She will be sorely missed at Airshows in the UK, she pulled the crowds like no other, remember watching her landing at Upper Heyford US Airbase, must be one of the few times the americans were lost for words 

anubis

[lobeydosser]

I watch all of the Guy Martin's shows, but last night's was particularly moving.

[mart166]

I missed show, will look on catchup, saw the vulcan last time few years ago at Biggin Hill, should be kept in air, same with Concorde, brilliant enginering.

Can you imagine that day, few argies sitting in port stanley airport falklands, "what the f**k was that bang" awnser its a Vulcan old son, be glad it was not nuclear !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



MP

[mart166]

Just to add, hats off to the guys and girls that gave, worked and raised money to keep them in the air for this long, this is only story from friend, but one can be kept flying but owners will not hand it over to charity ? say just story from friend but .............!!!!!!

MP

[lobeydosser]

I don't think it is anything to do with the money to keep them flying but more to do with the skills involved to maintain them in a flying condition.

These skills are dying out and after the terrible tragedy of the plane crashing onto the road during a recent air show, I doubt if there is any enthusiasm to keep such planes flying unless they can be maintained to the highest standard.

[chrisjw]

It flew over my house on it's last flight...................Sad to think it won't be seen in the skies again........



"Life...........is just a bowl of tricks!!!!!!"

[chykensa]

It's not due to a lack of money, but rather that the large engineering commitments from the like of Rolls Royce and others has been withdrawn.
It is indeed very sad, I saw her last summer cruising close to my back garden on her way to RNAS Culdrose for Airday. A wonderful sound from a wonderful plane.
However, there is hope: the Avro Shackleton which was until recently the gate guard at RAF St. Mawgan has been purchased and moved to its own hanger on the airfield, and monies are being raised to get her back into the air.

[tomj777]

That's pretty much my understanding, chykensa

Culdrose was the first time I saw a Vulcan and I distinctly remember the sheer awe I felt...
I'm looking forward to making a clear window for watching the Martin program (sitting on the box wot watches things for me at the moment)

Seeing a Shackleton back in the air in the UK would be a consolation (but not the same)....

[chykensa]

Just watched the aforementioned programme - it's SO worth a watch. The dedication and passion that the aircrew, airframe and mechanics have for the Vulcan has to be seen to be believed.
Rolls Royce don't have the necessary skills to be part of the Vulcan programme. In other words, the young mechanics of today are not skilled enough to take over the running and maintenance of the aeroplane that the old hands have, and these aging staff are retiring now.

I hear tell that the team are now considering a full flying restoration of another classic warbird - the De Havilland Mosquito - now that would be just awesome!!

[GeoffUK]

Peeps please,

It has nothing to do with skills, or expertise or availability of people willing to pay and give up their time to work on 558.

I have been in the aerospace industry for nearly 35 years, a lot of that with the RAF. Every plane in the air, military or civil has the backing of an engineering and a design authority. They are a collection of experts who look at the function and construction of every system to make sure it functions with in a very tight safety margin. Owner operators, airlines and even the MOD cannot attempt any aircraft repairs or modifications without the express permission of these authorities. Without the support an aircraft becomes un-airworthy that is the law of aviation. Flight Safety is paramount, and can never be compromised.

Up until now companies like Rolls Royce, BAe and Marshalls were providing this service. The uncertainty of the material strength and lack of available spares combined with the extremely dated construction have made the continued support so expensive that they can no longer justify the effort. It's a crying shame, but it is also unavoidable and nothing to do with lack of skill. Britain has some of the best aircraft designers in the world.

It is a very emotive topic I know, the Vulcan was the first aircraft I ever worked on. But no amount of nostalgia can justify putting any aircrew or spectators at risk. Would you have liked to see traditionalists lobbying parliament to keep Windscale the same as it was in the 1950s? Let's keep that potential meltdown exactly as it was in the Bakelite days because it's romantic?

[tomj777]

Nov 30, 2015 21:45:12 GMT chykensa said:

However, there is hope: the Avro Shackleton which was until recently the gate guard at RAF St. Mawgan has been purchased and moved to its own hanger on the airfield, and monies are being raised to get her back into the air.

Shackleton aircraft stripped for move from RAF St Mawgan

[Greigster]

Soz, Error.
Youtube vid not loading.

[Bluefish]

Not seen the programme, but I took a few pics of it's final flight, pretty nice ones, can't post as photo bucket and iOS have decided to take leave of absence!

[Bluefish]

Nov 30, 2015 23:57:56 GMT chykensa said:

Just watched the aforementioned programme - it's SO worth a watch. The dedication and passion that the aircrew, airframe and mechanics have for the Vulcan has to be seen to be believed.
Rolls Royce don't have the necessary skills to be part of the Vulcan programme. In other words, the young mechanics of today are not skilled enough to take over the running and maintenance of the aeroplane that the old hands have, and these aging staff are retiring now.

I hear tell that the team are now considering a full flying restoration of another classic warbird - the De Havilland Mosquito - now that would be just awesome!!

Is that not older? how's that gonna work?

[Bluefish]

Ps, I'm playing top gun LP as i type lol