XM603 News

Might seem a bit of a daft suggestion, but if fully restored, would she not be suitable for a one time only flight as a military aircraft operated by BAe to another airfield such as Manchester or Elvington?

Theroretically, probably yes.

But BAe arn’t going to spend several million £ getting her to the state required to do just one flight.

Might seem a bit of a daft suggestion, but if fully restored, would she not be suitable for a one time only flight as a military aircraft operated by BAe to another airfield such as Manchester or Elvington?

If it has to be moved from Woodford then Elvington would be better than Manchester’s viewing park.

I think i’d have to agree with you there. I truly fear for G-BOAC’s (Concorde’s) welfare at that park. She needs covering up…

Good to see that 603’s engine are all serviceable!
😀

Nope they got the seized engine replaced, and on several occasions ran up all 4 engine’s with most of the other systems also operating.

If it has to be moved from Woodford then Elvington would be better than Manchester’s viewing park.

You could visit XM603 on Tuedays by telephoning Woodford and asking for Avro Heritage. I did this but, unfortunately, at the wrong time as the new Nimrod programme was in full swing at the time with engine ground runs etc. The tour of the heritage centre on its own was tremendous, I can’t remember the old timers name that showed me around the place. The wind tunnel models of the Vulcan and the skybolts were great! I remember looking at a picture of six or seven Lancs out on the airfield and underneath marked on a brass plaque was ‘Avro Lancaster – One Day’s Production’…. Brilliant!
Woodfords future is uncertain at the moment, rumours were that it was closing after the Nimrod development programme. With regards to ‘603, I telephoned again over the summer for another visit which was granted and then rebuffed the next day when I was told that an urgent meeting was being held about ‘603. What that was about is anyone’s guess, I’m sure the rumour merchants could have a field day. I have heard the MAN viewing park and scrap merchant rumours a few times too.
With regards to her taxying again, am I mistaken in saying that she needs an engine? I’m sure they were having problems with seizure in one of the 301’s?

Any news on XM603?

Apologies for dragging up an old thread but is there any news regarding Woodfords Vulc? The last I heard was a possible move to Aviation viewing park at Manchester.

Cheers

That seems to be the response i got too. I think this maybe something to do with health and safety though.

Well, I used to live really close and wrote to BAe and the guys that look after the vulcan to see if I could go down at weekends and help them with working on the aircraft similar to the supervised volunteers they have looking after ‘Lindy at Elvington.

Did I get a reply????

……..Not a jot.

I would suggest that once the old boys dwindle, BAe intend to scrap this aircraft……

Paul.:(

I havent come across a website and i seem to remeber an almighty noise one day as i passed so maybe it has. The nosewheel can be sorted with a new assembly but i havent a clue if they have looked for one. sorry I cant be more helpful.

Hi

Was it run up to 100% ?

how often is it run ?

Could it be fixed so it could taxi ?

Do they have a website ?

Thanks

Originally posted by andyxh558
the main wheel steering assembly has broke and cant move

It’s the nosewheel that does the steering of course though the Vulcan can also be steered by differential breaking.

Have received photos of 603 doing ground run last year:

http://www.avrovulcan.org.uk/603/index.htm

Sample attached.

runups for 603

Good to hear that she will continue to run her engines and kep her systems live. I wonder why they do not make these public events as surely they could geenrate funds for her upkeep??

Thanks for the update

She has been doing engine runs for ages the problem is that the main wheel steering assembly has broke and cant move so she is static at the moment, she will never fly, been out in the open for the best part of 21 years snd if you look at her close up you can see that. 603 was to have had a respray but waht with the turmoil that has been going on at woodford due to current programmes i dout that will happen either. sorry to be the bearer of bad news.