The Vulcan Effect

Vulcan XM573 is still in Nebraska. I found out its at the SAC Aerospace Museum along I-80.

Apart from the obvious and well founded objections that the CAA has to returning a lightning to flight in the UK there are those of actually locating one with sufficient TI to make it worth the expense, to date unless someone has one tucked away in storage that’s a given no, so the only other alternative would be too undertake the massively expensive re-working of an available airframe by replacing all the lifed structures with new to give it a workable life span too justify the expense.

We have no Valiants left available and all the Victors are too far gone too consider the idea, even if this was not the case the time frame involved of five too ten years would mean that 558 would be about ready to retire, yet again, so little or no chance of seeing them airborne together, so what’s left.

Ideas are being floated about Jaguars, but here again you meet the same problems that plagued the Lightning, few airframe hours, hurried disposal of spares stocks and few airframes to choose from as most are being stripped out as quick as they are withdrawn, so unless someone applies a lot of talent and money on such a project, obtains a complete airframe, as many spares as they can and has unlimited resources, even that ideas going to be hard to put into practice.

My feelings were that XH558 was going too be the first and last such restoration too flight in the UK with possibly the Buccaneer being a close second if enough money could be found.

thinking about jaguars, anyone know the going price for complete examples or minus engines from everett aero, i know there is a stripped one for £7,500. same goes for their sea harriers. anyone know??? :confused:

i think the reason the vulcan attracted so much attention is that it’s a visually stunning aircraft.
no one can deny that when the vulcan used to do its display that seeing something that size being thrown round wasn’t impressive.
because of its distinctive shape and impressive display it stuck a chord with members of the public who wouldn’t normally really care about old aircraft.

to get the public behind another project it would have to be similarly memorable aircraft , something like a sea harrier wouldn’t capture the imagination enough as to many of the public a harrier is a jump jet is a harrier and they’re all the same aren’t they? and we’re still flying them in service.

i think the lightning has enough of a public following and is spectacular enough, but there are possibly too many hurdles to overcome. otherwise i fear there are no other aircraft types that are readily recognisable to public
that would get quite the backing of the vulcan. and lets not forget the old problem of ‘charity fatigue’.

We used to have a Vulcan body here at Offutt AFB/STRATCOM. Anyone know what happened to her?

the americans have a FRS1 flying dont they? or fairly near to flight anyway. good idea, i think that the CAA however would pall at the idea of a civillian operating a harrier 🙁

if we are talking about what next, i really think the recently retired jaguars would be ideal candidates 🙂 i wish i had the money to buy one lol

I think A Sea Harrier would be great to have flying:cool: We have a Sea Vixen that does not fly not much lets hope the Vulcan dont end up like that in years to come 🙁 I think the best thing is to wait and see what happens let 2008 go by then see what happens for 09

James

Had to exhibit a wry smile when a friend in the Uk called me with the news that 558 had actually, was at that time flying, gave a running commentary for this momentous event, mini bar got raided for a small celebration, but seriously though, we have all followed the progress of the TVOC over the past years as they have bounced from the highs and lows along the way, I wonder how many here seriously doubted that once the HLF was on board the aircraft would not once again fly, the depth of public support for the project has surprised many over the years, Well done to all those involved and to all those that supported the project.

Oh no, that’s right, it was just the actual return to flight and operation that you doubted, wasn’t it DGH.

Any more for the bandwagon?

Flipflopman

:confused: Well I’m at a loss, I’ve just checked back through my posts going back to the beginning of 2005 and I cant find when I’ve ever said anything like that? :confused:

I did say on 13th February 2006 :

I can see were you’re coming from with relation to costs but I actually believe that the Vulcan will be a huge draw at Airshow’s, I think the real issue is going to be what airshows will be able to cope with the crowds! I’ve got no idea what the actual cost to an organiser is going to be but if they manage to do it for say £10,000 then thats 500 people at £20 per head, I honestly dont see that being a problem, certainly not in the first couple of years anyway. I think some people get a bit complacent about some of the aircraft that they have seen many times, talk to jo public about airshows and nearly everyone over the age of 30 will talk Vulcans. I believe alot of the people who have driffted away from the airshow seen will be drawn back (if only for a short while ) by her presence, and think of all the dads who will want to show there kids and partners the mighty Vulcan that they remember from there youth.

I tell ya, they’ll be queuing for miles……….

The closest I can find to me knocking the project is this statement on 5th June 2005, but I don’t think you take it as that?

Stop knocking this project! I to have my own misgivings about this project but this is the only time I have mentioned it and the only time I will. If this project fails you can bet your bottom dollar that any further proposals for aircraft to receieve manufactures support etc on such a large scale will be wriiten off at the drawing board with everyone saying ‘ oh no we got invovled with the Vulcan and look were that got that us! ‘ This project is now deep underway if it fails so potentionally will many more in the future. If you have negative thoughts about this project it does nobody anygood to voice them.

P.S. My ‘own misgivings’ were nothing to do with the return to flight or operation.

Still hasn’t stopped me giving money to the project.

I guess I’ll just have to stay confused? :confused: :confused:

seriously lets not bring this monumental achievement down by pointless biccering! the doubters have been proven wrong and the believers have seen their dream come true. the doubters will all know the feeling of being wrong. my uncle is one of the higher up in rolls royce engines, and he was adamant that she would never fly. he’s been made to eat his words. shall we leave it at that and all look forward to what could well be the best airshow display season in many years 🙂

I’ve never doubted the effect of the Vulcan. So I suggest anybody who wants to see her at an airshow next year fly’s in, as the traffic que’s are gunna be huge! 😀

Oh no, that’s right, it was just the actual return to flight and operation that you doubted, wasn’t it DGH.

Any more for the bandwagon?

Flipflopman

I’ve never doubted the effect of the Vulcan. So I suggest anybody who wants to see her at an airshow next year fly’s in, as the traffic que’s are gunna be huge! 😀

watched a clip of the first flight thing on youtube, broadcast by the bbc saying that they hope to operate her out of duxford??? this sounds fairly daft to me, dont know about anyone else. can anyone shed light on this?

How many of these aircraft that helped the allies win World War 2 are still flying;
Battle, Blenheim, Boston, Fortress, Halifax, Hampden, Hudson, Lancaster, Liberator, Manchester, Mitchell, Mosquito, Stirling, Ventura, Wellington or Whitley or Battle Of Britain fighters or the many ground breaking prototypes?

We had a Blenheim…and hopefully will again one day.

We have several Fortresses

We have a Hudson

We have 2 Lancs

We have Liberators

Manchester was fore runner of Lanc and was a flop

We have Mitchells

We had a Mossie

We have Spits and Hurricanes……

The point of the Vulcan was it was maintained from its last flight to possibly return to the air whereas the WWII stuff was nothing more than scrap at the end of the war. The ones that fly today are only there because they were rescued from rotting on some gate somewhere or were used for another role after WWII.

I am sure any errors or omissions will be swiftly corrected…..

What is so special about the Vulcan?

Before I start I just want to say that I think the job of getting ‘558 back into the air was certainly a truly worthwhile venture carried out extremely well by ‘the team’!

But what I would like to know is why has ‘558 attracted such a huge following and such a massive amount of money to get it back into the air whereas there are hundereds of other aircraft that have served with equal distinction sitting idly in scrap yards throughout the country?

How many of these aircraft that helped the allies win World War 2 are still flying;
Battle, Blenheim, Boston, Fortress, Halifax, Hampden, Hudson, Lancaster, Liberator, Manchester, Mitchell, Mosquito, Stirling, Ventura, Wellington or Whitley or Battle Of Britain fighters or the many ground breaking prototypes?

I hope that the “effect” allows Vulcans ‘426 and ‘655 to be maintained and placed under cover. Maybe the Sea Vixen will have a sponsor?

As for the Americans, they already have a Phantom flying in private hands so the other great has to be a Thunderchief. If Mr Allen can have a Me262 rebuilt from parts then who knows?

All the best TVOC.

As one of the keepers of the “Connie Effect” in a land far-far away, firstly, huge congratulations to those with the vision to get XH558 flying!:D

The Sally-B anology has some validity, but the impetus of having “one of your own” to support can’t be ignored. Given the immense engineering effort, ongoing maintenance and operation will be expensive, but the “field of dreams” effect carries the day. Further support can be expected even if one has to display the big M in the bomb-bay on flypasts!? [There was even a proposal to paint the under-wings of the Connie in MacDonald’s livery for sponsorship at one stage.;) ]

For HARS and the collection [of which the Connie is the flagship and the Tiger Moth the mascot], it’s an ongoing battle, but well worth it.

Keep up the good work TVOC!!:D

G’day 😉

The ‘Vulcan Effect’ is already happening on a smaller level than you guys are talking about here. There is an incresing level of interest in XL319 locally, with a radio interview and people who would not have normally come to the museum coming to see the Vulcan. If all of the vulcan owners/ custodians benefit in this way from the efforts of TVOC etc, then it will increase interest across the whole of the aircraft preservation world. I for one will tirelessly plug the achievements of the guys at Brunty whenever someone comes to see our Vulcan.

‘The Vulcan Effect’ will gather impetus and affect more people provided TVOC can keep 558 in the public eye, AND if we, the mere mortals, keep reminding the public about TVOC.

For the record, I think it is only fair to allow TVOC their moment of glory, and I think that during 2008 we will hear of nothing but Vulcans, 558, TVOC, VTTS, etc. We should remember however, that they are only one factor in our industry and the achievements of those who have gone before should not be forgotten. There have been alot of spectacular restorations, extinct aircraft returned to the skies, and some amazing characters over the last few years, and they should not be eclipsed by a Vulcan returning to the sky. 2007 will be remembered as ‘The year of the Vulcan’. What will the next decade bring?

Really interesting topic – thanks Bruce.

The Vulcan effect is going to be interesting to watch but I’m not convinced that it will really translate into much benefit for other types. Spitfires, Lancasters and Vulcans have all captured the public imagination but – apart from Concorde – what else does in the UK? Will we really see a halo effect which means the Supermarine Walrus will join the Vulcan on the airshow circuit soon?

Isn’t there a French Concorde kept sleeping with the systems still functional, just as XH558 was? I fear it is the only aircraft which will generate the passion we see for the Vulcan, although I do think the Vulcan in flight will inspire a new generation to want to be involved in historic aviation. That has to be good, but I remain to be convinced that cash will follow.

The press coverage on the day was not that bad but I think they missed a trick when Sky News said it was restored by the RAF. That was the moment for publicity for the sponsors.

The amount of coverage so far might make it difficult to get the story “done again” but they have other opportunities. One that I would make sure went to one of the main channels – once they get CAA approval – is to get a film crew airborne. Might be best to wait until Spring to publicise the forthcoming airshow season or to announce a major sponsor, but she will be back in the news again – unless something unexpected and bigger happens that day.

Allan

seriously guys, it was a bit of a joke, sorry if it annoyed you all.