Wyvern, it does make a difference because it would not have been part of the CAA-approved display routine. It would have presented n o risk because it would have been a simple straight and level flight, but the CAA would have required the departure from a normal display to have been practiced and approved, as usual. The CAA would have to make a judgement on the actions of a pilot who is undoubtedly far more experienced than they are, such is the absurdity of the CAA’s relationship with the Vulcan.

I think a lot of people hope that the last flight will include a roll of some sort but I’m pretty sure it isn’t going to happen because of the CAA. I guess Kevin Rumens might like to risk the wrath of the CAA if he’s proposing to hang-up his flying boots, but I doubt if he’d want the hassle. The sad aspect of this is that a half loop and roll off the top could certainly fall outside of the “aerobatic” category, given that it was precisely the manoeuvre that the aircraft was designed to perform, and a manoeuvre that it did perform many, many times.