XM655 Taxi Times this Weekend

The Vulcan Restoration Trust has the ex-Roy Jacobsen XL426 spares. Don’t ever recall seeing any engines though …

When Roy Jacobsen bought the Vulcans he told me he bought loads of spares, including brand-new engines. What happened to his spares?

Pass…….

Does anyone know if as part of the crew training for XH558, XM655 will do fast taxi runs ?

When Roy Jacobsen bought the Vulcans he told me he bought loads of spares, including brand-new engines. What happened to his spares?

VTTSCM – I should imagine that the twenty plus years parked at Wellesbourne have done a fair amount of damage to the old bird. Certainly it’s great that she is getting to breathe but there were a number of years where she stagnated before the current team got a hold of her and I should imagine that those years finished her from the point of view of flying.

Most certainly but the”Old Bird” is looking really good, a true credit to the team who look after her…. what I meant was even if she was structurely airworthy the engine problem would still exist, and is unsurmountable? insurmountable?…never could spell properly

I would imagine all the other Vulcan airframes are in a worst state than the 3 or 4 best “running” examples.

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VTTSCM – I should imagine that the twenty plus years parked at Wellesbourne have done a fair amount of damage to the old bird. Certainly it’s great that she is getting to breathe but there were a number of years where she stagnated before the current team got a hold of her and I should imagine that those years finished her from the point of view of flying.

Nope, that’s XH558 at Bruntingthorpe (airborne question is being debated elsewhere)

655 still had some life left before being retired didn’t it? Mechanically what would impede her flight?

‘655’s biggest problem is her engines…they are 300 series , for which there re no known spare units in existance… whereas XH558 has 200 series (202’s actually), of which she has 8 zero houred examples along with some 700tons of spare parts, 120+ OEMs(Original Equipment Manufacturers) support, a large hanger, and 90odd% of the finance required. Scuttlebutt has it that she will fly 3rd quarter 2006…… can’t wait!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

ps….. It’s reported, from a friend, 😀 that the VTS Team are going to Waddington… Hanger 3 with an engine, a parachute, Thunderball, and a double act with Dr Robert Pleming & Sqn Ldr David Thomas 2 or 3 times during both days. our club stand will also be just outside hanger 3…..and the teams “new education” trailer(ex-FLYPAST) will be on site, somewhere, with the VTST Jaguar X-type (it could be yours in August) with raffle tickets on sale at all three sites. Go and see the team , support the project and get the latest gen…

😀 😀 😀

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It should not have been a problem with re admittance to the site. Its happened before and we should have a sticker that you could put on your car when exiting allow the ATC to let you back in again.

As with the WAG museum opening times, I cannot control, but agree it would have been nice to see how my Mk1 Vulcan was getting on.

We ran late on getting the classic cars around XM655, and I was keen to get you to 655, even just for the shade!

…..Only downside i could see was no corrolation with the museum (and XA903) there. Although the museum guys had their own stall, even they admitted that you had to drive all the way around to get to it, and they shut at 4pm !!

With XM655 not available for inspection until 3pm, and no chance of re-admittance if you left between the taxi times, the prospect of viewing two Vulcans was an oppurtunity missed.

Care to comment Paul ? 😉

Our thanks to everyone who came to see XM655 and the added value attractions. All very positive comments on this thread. The Blue Eagles and Air Atlantique did us proud.
Don’t forget !!! As I said on the PA on Sunday, keep an eye out in a few months time for the 655 DVD/Video. It will have some unique footage from the past 21 years from the day she left Waddington to Sunday’s event.

20-odd years outdoors I imagine. She was fully airworthy with plenty of life left when Roy Jacobsen bought her, as was XL426 at Southend.

Nope, that’s XH558 at Bruntingthorpe (airborne question is being debated elsewhere)

655 still had some life left before being retired didn’t it? Mechanically what would impede her flight?

Prepare for a stupid question!

Will XM655 be airborne sometime in the future? Or was that a different Vulcan?

Stupid questioning period has ended!

That ain’t smoke – its pollen 🙁

Ah yes, i’d forgotten about the ~other~ cloud kicked up that day.

Lots of lovely cut grass when ‘655 swung round.

Ever tried explaining to a 5 year old girl, why its snowing grass !! :diablo:

That ain’t smoke – its pollen 🙁

She’s a smoky old girl ain’t she! The “money better spent elsewhere” comment earlier is indefensible if not meant tongue in cheek. I had the privelige of seeing the Vulcan run at Southend in May, and have nothing but praise for the volunteers who give their time to keep these beasts active.

The Other ‘Planes

Must practise more
must remember rule of thirds
must remember to check backgounds
must….

Taxi Day

Here’s my selection of fairly poor piccies. For the technically minded, these were taken with a Konica KD-420Z. For the runway shots, this was in my left hand whilst a Sony ‘brickcam’ was in my right. To reduce fidelity further, a 5 year old daughter was on my shoulders and my nose equiped with ‘poll-o-stream 2005 plus’ 😮

The various planes are:

XM655, a Vulcan

Air Atlantique’s:
G-APRS, SA Twin Pioneer (arrived just in time for me not to picture it landing 🙁 )
VR259 / G-APJB Percival Prentice 1
G-AGTM DH 89 Dragon Rapide

G-AMRA was on static

*** Excellent to see four aircraft from Air Atlanique; really adds to the day ***

XZ647 dust maker; some Gazelles

The bulldog seemed to be something to do with the ATC; in one shot is the cockpit of Vulcan B1 XA903

Had a rushed arrival and early off, but though XM655 looked really smashing this year.

I chatted with one of the Lynx crew and have no doubt that the wind / grit / rubbish storms were ‘part of the show’. No further comment from me, but I was warned and ready with the video (I wonder if its worth £250 on “You’ve Been Framed”?)

I though other folks would put up their piccies; I’ll see if my pitiable efforts are worth posting tomorrow.

Well, its not everyday you see a Vulcan holding for ATC clearance to join a live runway, so on that basis alone, many thanks to all at Wellesbourne for their efforts yesterday.

Only downside i could see was no corrolation with the museum (and XA903) there. Although the museum guys had their own stall, even they admitted that you had to drive all the way around to get to it, and they shut at 4pm !!

With XM655 not available for inspection until 3pm, and no chance of re-admittance if you left between the taxi times, the prospect of viewing two Vulcans was an oppurtunity missed.

Will J’.. shame your Rapide broke, what was the problem ? Although the twin-pin replacement was warmly welcomed !!

And whoever got sand blasted by the Lynx arrival, i do feel for you. I thought i had cause to grumble when the twin pin spun around in front of me, but that Lynx grit cloud was something else :diablo:

Anyhow, as Vulcans say… live long and prosper XM655