First chance to see completed Vulcan bomber

The Vulcan to the Sky Trust will be opening the doors of the Vulcan hangar for an extended period this bank holiday weekend, to mark the successful completion of engineering work on the aircraft focused on restoring it to full flying capability.

Since this phase of the project began around two years ago, the Vulcan has undergone one of the biggest overhaul programs in aviation history, having had all of its electronics, pneumatics, fuel and hydraulics systems checked over and its engines, undercarriage, and wiring all refitted. Engineers at the Vulcan’s Bruntingthorpe base in Leicestershire have worked literally around the clock for the last three months in order to finish the job, and now, with the goal of first flight nearer than ever, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust wants the public to share in their excitement at seeing the Vulcan ready and raring to go.

“After all,” Commercial Manager Rusty Drewett says, “it is the public who have supported us in making this venture work, and so we want to give them the opportunity to come and see the wonderful outcome of this project so far. We couldn’t have done it without them getting involved and giving so generously, so I do hope that this weekend will give them fresh inspiration and show them exactly what their contributions have achieved .”

Thanks to Denis Parker, Vulcan Visitor Centre Manager, and his group of dedicated volunteers; all willing to give up their holiday weekend, the XH558 will be on view between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 25th, 26th and 27th August, after which the hangar will return to its normal opening times of 10-4pm on Sundays only.

Visitors are asked to give a donation on entrance to the project, as this will go towards supporting future work and maintenance on the Vulcan. Over the years, the aircraft has gained a large amount of funding from its public support base, but with first flight expected imminently, signalling the next and most exciting phase of the Vulcan journey, continued funds are still urgently needed.

The Vulcan to the Sky project is based at Bruntingthorpe Airfield, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 5QS and information about the project can be found at http://www.tvoc.co.uk.