Good idea in theory, advertising to the masses, but that costs a lot of money in itself – money that I doubt they’d redeem through public donations. I doubt 95%+ of people who aren’t enthusiasts (and a fair few of them, too) wouldn’t be inspired to donate. Why would Joe & Josephine Public donate to something they don’t care about and will likely never see?

The pledge campaign should’ve been kick started in the summer, undoubtedly. Seems ridiculous to me to wait until this time of year – people won’t be “inspired” by an aircraft sitting on the ground and we’re too close to Christmas, at a time when many people are feeling the pinch anyway. Just the wrong time…

Sure, there might be a small dip, but I really doubt the scene will “suffer hugely”. Airshow attendance figures have been healthy of the past few years without the Vulcan. Nothing to suggest they won’t continue to be so once she’s grounded. The whole “Vulcan Effect” is exaggerated anyway; she isn’t the saviour she’s made out to be! If the Vulcan was *that* loved by “the people”, why have so few donated this year? Surely, if airshow-goers were enthralled by her, they’d have donated what money they have.

Biggin Hill 2008, for example, had no Vulcan, no Reds and no Harrier, but still drew a capacity/record crowd. I’m certain that, once the Vulcan is permanently sat on the ground, the crowds will still continue to flock to airshows as they have done for decades. Airshows have constantly remained a hugely popular form of entertainment, second only to football I believe, without the Vulcan for years.

Just my $0.02…