today’s YORKSHIRE POST
Future of an RAF icon up in the air
Published on Monday 2 January 2012 11:04
As 2012 dawns, preparations to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of an icon of 20th century Britain are set to crank into a frantic overdrive.
Staff have already been working for years to mark the occasion, and every day of the next few months will see them moving forward towards a common goal.
The focus of their efforts cannot be aware of the huge push to make her ready for the summer, but there is a determination that she will join the Queen’s party.
Although Vulcan bomber XH558 does not herself date from 1952, she is the last surviving example of the type which first took to the skies in the year the monarch took to the throne.
But it is by no means certain that the aircraft will take flight again in 2012, and without significant financial help she may never take off again.
Although winter maintenance is under way, cash is not in place to pay the £400,000 bill, lending more urgency to the efforts of the charitable Vulcan to the Sky Trust.
This is the first major service the aircraft has undergone since it returned to its former base at Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport, formerly RAF Finningley.
Just four days before Christmas, it was confirmed the Cold War bomber was in “excellent overall condition” but many parts have to be replaced annually to meet Civil Aviation Authority law.
Because XH558 is 51 years old the airframe must also be taken through a programme of “non destructive testing” which involves using an X-ray to examine key pressure points.
The trust’s engineering director, Andrew Edmondson, said 13 faults had been detected during the first phase of inspections, with two more series of tests to follow in 2012.
These include simple problems with corroded electrical connectors through to a “kinked delivery pipe” within the cockpit oxygen system.
Mr Edmondson added: “Rectification of the majority of these problems appears to be straightforward and we have most of the components in our stores.
“Considering the age and technology content of this aircraft, our team of just five ground crew has done a fantastic job of keeping her in excellent condition.”
Despite the lack of major faults found so far, the simple servicing of the Vulcan is a time-consuming job, which explains the huge service bill.
Without a Civil Aviation Authority permit, the Vulcan cannot fly at air shows, which pay appearance fees to provide a massive boost to its coffers.
The trust is determined there will be more flights, particularly in such a significant year.
Fundraising has been designed around the Diamond Jubilee coincidence, which will see the Queen presented with a book signed by Vulcan supporters.
It is hoped the money raised by that initiative and others, which include the chance to sponsor the maintenance of certain components, will make enough money to complete the service.
Parts which can be sponsored include the ejection seats, the brake parachutes and the fire suppression and pneumatic systems.
Supporters can even pledge their support for an engine-swap, which will see two of the current engines swapped with two in storage to increase available engine hours.
A small number of places to spend time with the engineering team and have a special “close-up technical tour” are currently being auctioned on internet site eBay, also to raise money.
The trust’s chief executive, Dr Robert Pleming, said 2012 also marked 30 years since XH558 played an important role in the Falklands conflict, bombing Port Stanley airfield and thwarting the Argentinian air force.
He added: “We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the remarkable generosity of XH558’s supporters, and I would like to thank all those who have given time and money to keep her flying.
“The airframe has limited time before it will no longer be possible to renew its permit to fly. After that we hope to develop a museum and educational centre around the plane at Robin Hood Airport, funded by conference, leisure and other commercial activities.”
Sqn Ldr Martin Withers, who flew the Falklands mission and won the Distinguished Flying Cross, said: “The Vulcan is the most powerful symbol of a remarkable period in British history that we must never forget.
“This is one of the most iconic pieces of aerospace technology ever, and it is thoroughly British.”
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st February 2012 at 07:45
Why don’t they as Mr. Bannerman? He seems to have no problem dropping £30k into a charity to dump blocks of stones on disused airfields
By: Hurn - 21st February 2012 at 06:32
Please tell me if I have missed something here, but how does just swapping engines for two in storage “increase available engine hours”?
What exactly is the context of the statement?
I understood that the Olympus was lifed by the number of engine ‘power cycles’ they are put through, not the number of hours and that RR told TVOC that although they gave them all a clean bill of health at the start, they would not overhaul any in the future?
I was under the impression that of the eight olympuses they had, two were ‘pulled’ for some kind of failure leaving them with six serviceable?
Once any three of these, (no further failures occurring) reach past their ‘service life’, that’s the end of flying for the vulcan anyway?
As I understand it, the two that were taken out were as a precaution and RR may allow them to be used again which would bring them back to eight.
Whether or not they have made a decision yet I don’t know, but I would presume tvoc consider that they may still have the possibility of being allowed back into the airframe at some point.
Logically I would think that the two coming out are the ones that have been in the airframe since first flight in 2007 and have the most cycles used currently. Replacing them with two zero timed ones would help keep some sort of balance, but you’re right in saying that once the engines are done then that’s it as far as flying goes.
Personally I think the Vulcan will be grounded long before engine cycles become a problem though.
I think this is the first reference I have personally seen, relating to the days once the vulcan stops flying and as the title post seems to question, with the money shortfalls that there seem to be, it maybe sooner rather than later.
What ye all think?
In one of the recent newsletter emails from TVOC, they actually said that they were considering this might be the last season and going out on a high. They realise that getting money is always a problem and without there being any high profile event in 2013 to tag onto, it might be best to quit. We shall see.
By: Johnny Kavanagh - 20th February 2012 at 19:55
Like many, I can think of many deserving projects which have suffered as a direct result of the ‘Vulcan Effect’ on available and elusive pound notes. However, no use crying over spilt milk and I have massive respect for what has been achieved. I have not donated to any of the previous appeals, but for the Vulcan to be grounded in this of all years would be truly sad so I will be handing over a little hard earned cash.
Personally, I think this will be it’s last year in the air and after anniversary flights have been achieved she will be grounded – job well done. It is the turn of the rest of us now to capitalise on the Vulcan’s success to persuade industry and the public to keep giving but to smaller projects – I hope we are able to step up and take advantage of the goodwill shown to aviation preservation.
Bob
By: ZRX61 - 20th February 2012 at 16:57
If 4 things are guaranteed in a year they are Easter… Christmas…New Year…. And the begging letter from the Vulcan to the Sky….
It showed up on Facebook today: almost 60 grand by this time next week or it’s all over….. again..
By: TonyT - 3rd January 2012 at 20:57
If 4 things are guaranteed in a year they are Easter… Christmas…New Year…. And the begging letter from the Vulcan to the Sky….
The centre was I believe a part of the original lottery grant requirements, though I stand to be corrected.
Engines inhibited and in the MPV bags also have a life period based on calendar before they need to be re overhauled, one assumes they are being installed before that calendar life expires, the two then coming out could be inhibited and bagged, which will then have a full calendar period on them. Just a guess as an ex sumpy…
Either that or they are high houred units that are being juggled about to prevent them running out of hours say mid season..
By: TonyT - 3rd January 2012 at 20:57
If 4 things are guaranteed in a year they are Easter… Christmas…New Year…. And the begging letter from the Vulcan to the Sky….
The centre was I believe a part of the original lottery grant requirements, though I stand to be corrected.
Engines inhibited and in the MPV bags also have a life period based on calendar before they need to be re overhauled, one assumes they are being installed before that calendar life expires, the two then coming out could be inhibited and bagged, which will then have a full calendar period on them. Just a guess as an ex sumpy…
Either that or they are high houred units that are being juggled about to prevent them running out of hours say mid season..
By: Bomberboy - 3rd January 2012 at 20:22
Supporters can even pledge their support for an engine-swap, which will see two of the current engines swapped with two in storage to increase available engine hours..
Please tell me if I have missed something here, but how does just swapping engines for two in storage “increase available engine hours”?
What exactly is the context of the statement?
I understood that the Olympus was lifed by the number of engine ‘power cycles’ they are put through, not the number of hours and that RR told TVOC that although they gave them all a clean bill of health at the start, they would not overhaul any in the future?
I was under the impression that of the eight olympuses they had, two were ‘pulled’ for some kind of failure leaving them with six serviceable?
Once any three of these, (no further failures occurring) reach past their ‘service life’, that’s the end of flying for the vulcan anyway?
I’m not a jet person, so i’m looking for those with a better knowledge than mine, to fill me in on the details on this one.
“The airframe has limited time before it will no longer be possible to renew its permit to fly. After that we hope to develop a museum and educational centre around the plane at Robin Hood Airport, funded by conference, leisure and other commercial activities.”
I think this is the first reference I have personally seen, relating to the days once the vulcan stops flying and as the title post seems to question, with the money shortfalls that there seem to be, it maybe sooner rather than later.
What ye all think?
By: Bomberboy - 3rd January 2012 at 20:22
Supporters can even pledge their support for an engine-swap, which will see two of the current engines swapped with two in storage to increase available engine hours..
Please tell me if I have missed something here, but how does just swapping engines for two in storage “increase available engine hours”?
What exactly is the context of the statement?
I understood that the Olympus was lifed by the number of engine ‘power cycles’ they are put through, not the number of hours and that RR told TVOC that although they gave them all a clean bill of health at the start, they would not overhaul any in the future?
I was under the impression that of the eight olympuses they had, two were ‘pulled’ for some kind of failure leaving them with six serviceable?
Once any three of these, (no further failures occurring) reach past their ‘service life’, that’s the end of flying for the vulcan anyway?
I’m not a jet person, so i’m looking for those with a better knowledge than mine, to fill me in on the details on this one.
“The airframe has limited time before it will no longer be possible to renew its permit to fly. After that we hope to develop a museum and educational centre around the plane at Robin Hood Airport, funded by conference, leisure and other commercial activities.”
I think this is the first reference I have personally seen, relating to the days once the vulcan stops flying and as the title post seems to question, with the money shortfalls that there seem to be, it maybe sooner rather than later.
What ye all think?
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January 2, 2012 at 11:19 am