Re: stevechap’s above post 50

Being stationed at Akrotiri for 9 months in 1975, I seem to remember a Vulcan permanently sat out-of-action on one of the airfield pans, probably a left-over from the squadron that departed the Island a couple of years earlier. I’m pretty sure I used to cycle past it on my way to the beach and would assume that there must be some photos of it somewhere on the base.

Whilst at Akrotiri I also recall reading a report of another one of the resident Vulcan’s that had crashed at Shiraz in Iran (Persia) in the Spring of 1973. From memory it had a defective undercarriage which collapsed on landing causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and sustain serious collision damage. Fortunately I don’t think there were any injuries to the crew or airfield personnel but the report concluded that after assessment by RAF engineers the aircraft was declared a complete write-off. The Iranians (Persians) were content to allow the Vulcan to remain at Shiraz as long as it was disabled and could no longer be classed as a warplane. A team from Akrotiri was duly flown out to Shiraz where they cut off the last 6 foot of each wing which seemed to do the trick. I don’t know how long the aircraft stayed there but it may still be there today under the sand!

I’m fairly sure that there was a series of photos attached to the above mentioned report but where they would be now over 40 years later is anybody’s guess.

From memory again, I think Shiraz was near a bombing range which the old Shah had given permission for the RAF to use – but I may be wrong, it was such a long time ago!

Anyway, best of luck in your quest for historical records. Regards….Paul