I absolutely ADORE Vulcans, as you have probably guessed!!! Me and my wee lad (3 yrs old) went to Bruntys CWJ day in August, which I wouldn’t miss for the world, and on the way back, I tried to have a look at XM575 at East Midlands. Bear in mind, this is a Sunday at about 6pm. We drove up and, unbelievably, it was STILL OPEN!!! Me and Ryan (he’s only 3, but he knows the score!!) walked around for as long as we could. Ever since 391 went, I have vowed to get involved with Vulcan preservation. I love them. I still do. If I didn’t have a young family, every spare minute would be spent trying to help all the survivors. The guy on the gate, his name eludes me, was superb. He was a volunteer, been there years, told me everything. I took a membership form home, telling him that I wanted to work solely on the Vulcans preservation. I would have been there every spare minute, like at Carlisle mentioned above. Again, circumstances, and anyone with a young family will know this, have to come first. But it is heartbreaking.
But, what got me was the absolute dedication of these fellas. Come rain or shine, battling in the face of the weather and other factors (not in this case, but in other cases, the suits who don’t know what history is, a la 603, total lack of respect for those old hands), spending their own free time and even their money on something that makes them feel proud. Like they’re doing something.
He told me something on that gate that really sunk in. He told me how much work is involved in keeping an aircraft in a safe static condition, especially as, the larger it is, the more work it is, especially the corrosion. The Vulcan, and all the other bigguns are a nightmare to look after. Do they do it because they have to? Are they getting paid? No, it’s the pride when someone looks around these aircraft in awe, maybe remenisce about their own personal experiences of it. The Vulcan, and all the others are a bitch to look after, a nightmare. But to look at them, would you think that ANY of them had been there the best part of 20 years?? ALL of you volunteers, I genuinely do salute you, and I genuinely wish I was part of it.
I remember photographing ‘391 a couple of years ago. A man and his wife pulled up next to her. They were in awe. They asked what it was and I explained. It’s a Vulcan Bomber. It was the nuclear deterrent. It kept people sleeping safe and sound in their bed. I reeled off the history. Their awe turned to disgust as they looked at how neglected she was and what her history was. But I felt great, but at the same time helpless because Bateson wouldn’t let anyone near her. That’s another story though…
😉 😉 😉
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