The merged Vulcan thread once again again

As an update, Avro Vulcan B2 XL319 will not die. Having inspected the internals, she is saveable and will be saved. To those who have seen her recently, she looks alot worse than she actually is. A plan is being formed for her rejuvenation, but we need alot of things:

A mountain of concrete for a new hardstanding

Jet pipe ends
Re-skinning the fin and flying controls
Enough paint to sink a battleship….
All cockpit glass and nav lights (thanks to vandals)
Reseal the canopy
Address the corrosion on the spars (actually the first job)
Main gear leg doors x2

If anyone can help with these parts and jobs, PM me please. Serious offers of help only please.

For the Vulcan owners – we may be willing to exchange sevicable internals (except visible cockpit items) in exchange for servicable external parts.

Anyone got a telephone number or e-mail for the 603 association?

603 was being pruned by the 558 guys, and they have to have priority! That said, I’ll have to persuade the management to get in touch with woodford…

pretty sure that the guys from 558 have already removed most of her serviceable components or at least those that they needed (engines etc)

Lindy – can or is ‘603’ at helping at all with parts?

Jet pipe end caps?…. how bad are the old ones?… fancy giving them away / selling them to an aircraft which really needs them? XL319 at NEAM is about to undergo an overhaul and we are probably going to have to make new ones… Also, any other bits which are not suitable for your needs would be greatfully received oop north…. maybe an exchange system could be organised. It’s been a long time since 319 was fired up, but internally, she hasn’t suffered badly… I’m sure a deal could be arranged

airbrakes on 426?

Whats wrong with her airbrakes? I noticed on the most recent video on “tube” that they deployed normally but that the chute got a bit delayed in unfolding..

And a fantastic job of it the VRT team have done also.

Having been lucky enough to visit the 426 boys, and also been allowed to play with their engines (Trevor touched the No 2 last, honest!!) I can testify to the commitment and fantastic job that the VRT boys do. My comments were in no way a slight to 426’s condition, simply that storing an aircraft outside, is always going to bring about an uphill struggle to keep them alive, and obviously, things suffer along the way. The VRT do indeed do a fantastic job of maintaining XL426 however, especially considering she lives outside 365 days a year!!

Flipflopman

FFP

Absolutely no offence taken – just wanted to let everyone know that the ongoing battle to keep 426 in fine fettle continues. And Mr Bailey will be brought to book regarding his Olympus exploits, I assure you!

Nashio966

There’s nothing “wrong” with XL426 as such but the VRT took the decision to take her out of taxiing service last year so a programme of restoration work could be carried out. 426 has taxied every year since 1995 and, with an entirely voluntary engineering team, maintenance has concentrated almost solely on the work needed to keep the aircraft fit to taxi. Jobs involving the removal of large numbers of components, or those that require any great length of time, have been continually put on the back burner. Last year we decided to call a halt (temporarily) to the taxiing so we could get to grips with them.

The restoration work is underway. Just a few of the things we’ll be doing are: overhauls of the fuel system, wheel stocks, brakes and PFCU stocks; various skin repairs; renovation of the cockpit; refurbishment of the undercarriage bays; repairs to the airbrakes damaged a few years back; replacement of the jet pipe end caps.

No timescale has been set for the work; it will depend of available funds as much as anything else. We haven’t gone public on it yet as, apparently, there’s another Vulcan having some work done on it at the moment!

Lindy’s Lad

Yes, Mr Dickinson was on at the controls (with Group Captain Bill Burnett) when 426 taxied in August last year. He really is a great bloke and thoroughly enjoyed himself. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s back at Southend when 426 is up and running again.

Rich

Whilst it nowhere approaches the level of rectification that TVOC have had to carry out, the VRT does have a ongoing programme to address corrosion on XL426 – something that is being intensified as we carry out the work needed to put 426 back in taxiing condition.

Rich

And a fantastic job of it the VRT team have done also.

Having been lucky enough to visit the 426 boys, and also been allowed to play with their engines (Trevor touched the No 2 last, honest!!) I can testify to the commitment and fantastic job that the VRT boys do. My comments were in no way a slight to 426’s condition, simply that storing an aircraft outside, is always going to bring about an uphill struggle to keep them alive, and obviously, things suffer along the way. The VRT do indeed do a fantastic job of maintaining XL426 however, especially considering she lives outside 365 days a year!!

Flipflopman

Is Bruce Dickenson of Iron Maiden fame still one VRT’s guest drivers?… he mentioned the southend vulcan when I bumped into him at coventry earlier in the year

“put her back in taxiing condition” whats wrong with her? i read the article concerning the problem with the brakes before last years run, anything to do with that? 🙂

Blimey,

There isn’t half some rubbish being peddled out about 558 again!

Bex,

It’s not quite as simple as just ‘sprucing’ her up a bit for flight. Taxi condition aircraft are a million miles away from Flightworthy aircraft, whose condition has to satisfy the CAA. Many of the aircraft components are ‘lifed’, which for flight means they all have to be overhauled, or replaced. The aircraft has to be stripped, inspected, rectified and rebuilt. This is an enormous task. XM655 and XL426, while in fabulous condition, and taxiworthy, have both suffered enormously from their life outside, suffering heavily from corrosion, leaky fuel tanks, unserviceable components etc…. Although slightly better, XH558’s condition wasn’t a million miles away from these typical examples, and of course, all this has to be rectified.

Flipflopman

Whilst it nowhere approaches the level of rectification that TVOC have had to carry out, the VRT does have a ongoing programme to address corrosion on XL426 – something that is being intensified as we carry out the work needed to put 426 back in taxiing condition.

Rich

Ford Mustang?
Hyundai Hurricane?
OXO Oxford?

Triumph Spitfire

Cunard Canberra

Bex

I think a Virgin scheme with scarlet lady would cut the mustard!

…hmm think we can sort that 😉 😉

Any other sponsorship deals? —>

Kentucky Fried Valiant?
TSB TSR2?

Ford Mustang?
Hyundai Hurricane?
OXO Oxford?

Right, thats it! I’ve had enough! I’m going to roll out a Burger King Victor. That’ll show ya! :p

Any other sponsorship deals? —>

Kentucky Fried Valiant?
TSB TSR2?

There’ll be a Red Bull Sea Vixen next….

I think a Virgin scheme with scarlet lady would cut the mustard!

Joking aside, having been lucky enough to see loads of camouflaged(and white) Vulcans flying, I find myself actually quite excited at seeing an all-red Vulcan flying!! As Vulcan was the Roman God of fire, it would almost be appropriate….wouldn’t it?:rolleyes:

Can I have fries with that?! 😀

pretty sure a lynching would be in order if she were painted up like that! then again sponsership is sponsership, the sea vixen wouldn’t be flying now if it wasnt for red bull and there somewhat garish theme… whats worse paint or not flying… hmmm easy choice for me 🙂

Albert, in my view its sacrilage but thats a pretty good photoshop jobby and pretty hilarious!! 😀 Bex