Moggy has quite rightly put and end to this on the XH558 thread and suggested opening a separate ‘Begging Bowl’ thread. I thought about this and then decided that I would rather explain the thinking behind my original idea offering to accept money for the Rearwin.
Firstly it is impossible to alter the mind of a dedicated Vulcan supporter, this has been obvious since the early days. There are some of us that predicted the ongoing begging bowl way before the aeroplane flew as it was obvious that the finances had not been worked out. Do a search on the history of this and you will see it. I have been accused of all sorts of anti-Vulcanness but have stated my position on here clearly a number of times. I love seeing the Vulcan but hate to see so much money going into it for so little. I brought up the subject of ongoing finances years ago and a member close in on the team simply said ‘something will turn up’ and that is not the way to run a business. I asked about business plans and was told none existed. However, the true, dedicated Vulcan supporter will always cry this down as they simply cannot, or do not wish, to see this.
I will stay out of any arguments about how the Trust has been run, that is not my concern.
However, a large amount of money has been raised and well done to all for doing this but there is a problem. There are some that will have us believe that this money is way over and above what would normally have been donated to aeroplane projects, and that it has been raised soley for the Vulcan and would never have been available for other projects. This, I believe wholeheartedly, is caca. There are preservation projects suffering from the recession and a lack of donations and ANY money that goes into the Vulcan pot is money that could potentially be used on any other project.
People on here moan that there are fewer items at airshows…… aircraft are being sold abroad, could it be the donations they relied on have been going elsewhere? Of course it is, even if only a fraction of the people that donate to the Vulcan were to donate to other projects instead it would make a difference. That is why I posted my initial request on the 558 thread.
Each time the begging bowl comes out some people respond and that is entirely their affair, and I have no criticism of that. You are entitled to do with your money what you wish. But, each time we see more and more people catching on that this whole saga has been a giant money pit from day one and cannot be sustained. The threats of grounding and scrapping and sale to the US are all helping to annoy people.
So, it was to those people that I suggested an alternative. OK, I suggested my aeroplane as I have to pay for this all myself yet still seem to take a lot of people flying, I am at times ‘expected’ to turn up at events for no money and the bills just seem to get higher. I also have a small problem with an oil seal at the moment that requires me to buy parts and pay people and I am not rich. Most small aeroplane owners are not. I also have the annual coming up and I have to cover my insurance, hangerage and all other costs. I genuinely could do with a cash injection right now.
On the other hand there are other projects. Several of those seemed to have slowed up over recent years, could that be the Vulcan Effect? I don’t know but I have my suspicions….
So, if you do have money that you were going to donate to the Vulcan and you have decided that enough is enough then what I will say is please consider giving it to another project, be it large or small, that could benefit. I am sure the Newark Air Museum would be grateful, I am sure the Blenheim will not refuse your money, I am sure the Lightning QRA shed could use some and there are many more that may have been starved of funds, even a little, by this ongoing saga.
And I definitely could, and I would send you a certificate too!
By: RetreatingBlade - 9th April 2011 at 19:52
Handbags
dafyth, you’d be wise to steer clear of this thread. Like so many that start off with good intentions, it appears to have degenerated into a “handbags at 50 paces” slanging match.
By: dafyth - 9th April 2011 at 19:09
You might have paid for my flying time,but if it had,nt been for the ex service personel like all my old collegues amd I,putting in numerous hours on standby for scrambling in the event of a nuclear strike from russia and the warsaw pact things might have turned out different.
all I was trying to say was, dont knock what is after all a nice historic aircraft that needs to be flown by a pilot,not like the modern aircraft that without its computer control,they would fall out of the air.
I also acknowledge the good jobs that people do keeping older aircraft airworthy,and also the wonderful work that people do for charity.
By: dafyth - 8th April 2011 at 19:49
If you cant afford to run your hobby then get a hobby you can afford.The reason a lot of people give to the vulcan trust is they like the sight and sound of this magnificent aircraft.
As a 70 yr old ex vulcan crew member who has over 800 hrs on the vulcan,let me inform you fly in it once and you will be hooked for life.It is a wonderful aircraft and one of the most docile for one of its size.:cool:
By: CIRCUS 6 - 8th April 2011 at 18:38
I have to ask the question why the RAF Museum have TWO Mosquitos, one at Hendon and one at Cosford, when they could sell one off to someone able to make it fly again for all to enjoy that remembered seeing RR299 at air shows. I’m sure if a mere fraction of the money ploughed into the Vulcan was thrown at one these small twin-engined wooden aircraft, it would be in our skies by now!
If the funds to get the Vulcan’t had been afforded a small twin, Mr Collins would have been able to see his project DH103 Hornet come to full fruition and grace the skies by now…. Now THAT I would pay to see! I have the book, and I think you should all go and buy it (from David Collins) to fund the project….
By: TwinOtter23 - 8th April 2011 at 17:33
….At the present Newark’s major project is the Southfield Development Project.
Admittedly it is not a ‘return to flight’ or similar aircraft specific scheme, but it is vitally important to the ongoing development and sustainability of the museum and all of the items in its care.
Today I have had email communications with three potential funding bodies, who may be able to provide support for the Southfield Site Project. Two of those were preliminary enquires about possible future support, whilst the third was in relation to a meeting tomorrow to determine whether funds are likely to be available for the project….
I thought that a brief update might be appropriate – this afternoon’s ‘funding meeting’ was very positive and I’m hopeful of a successful long-term outcome for this particular opportunity!! 😀
By: AMB - 8th April 2011 at 16:20
As much as I admire Melve for his tactful comparison between the bottomless pit afforded to the Vulcan and the amount he needs to maintain his Rearwin, I think we have to put in perspective the value that people put on any aircraft and how that aircraft should be remembered. Ask anyone with an average knowledge of aircraft what a Vulcan did for this country, then ask them what other types should be recognised with a donation for preservation? I very much doubt whether the word ‘Rearwin’ will feature in their reply! Now I know Melve is just using his aircraft as an example, but I can think of far more worthy examples that I would prefer to see have some serious funds allocated to them like getting a Mosquito airworthy in the UK, for example?
I have to ask the question why the RAF Museum have TWO Mosquitos, one at Hendon and one at Cosford, when they could sell one off to someone able to make it fly again for all to enjoy that remembered seeing RR299 at air shows. I’m sure if a mere fraction of the money ploughed into the Vulcan was thrown at one these small twin-engined wooden aircraft, it would be in our skies by now!
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April 7, 2011 at 1:39 pm