It looks intact to me and there are no bits lying around. I haven’t seen anybody working on it for a week or two.

AP

I wonder why it is being kept so quiet?

Because there isn’t anything to say? It is still there as it has been for years.

lets just hope there will be so little left of her in the end that those respo0nsible will have to pay dearly to have the remains carted away

Eh??

I am still not sure why the “suits” need to hang their heads in shame. Isn’t providing support to XH558 a worthwhile cause?

The “suits” at Woodford have in the past:-
– With help from Manchester airport and Honeywell, made sure the RJX100 prototype was preserved.
– Anson G-AHKX was given support with fuel, crew, hangar, offices etc.
– Found a home for Jetstream 41 G-JMAC.

I appreciate that these are civil aircraft and are therefore lesser aircraft 🙂 but they show that company has support to various aircraft preservation/restoration projects

BAE Systems has provided support to “Airspace” at Duxford and in the past used to operate the Mosquito RR299.

I know I am repeating what has been said previously but I think it worth reiterating. The “suits” are not faceless characters but individuals who are almost certainly doing their best in difficult circumstances. The factory at Woodford probably has a limited lifespan left (until end of Nimrod production) then it closes; unless alternative work is found. As an employee I hope this is more important in the manager’s minds than the preservation of a single airframe.

I want to make it clear that I don’t want to see it broken up any more than anyone else but we live in the real world here. If it was in pristine condition then fine but it isn’t is it. It can’t even be moved now. Let’s face it, how many Vulcans are there in the UK? 15 complete airframes? It isn’t rare or unique and I believe XM603 is too far gone to be worth saving. It would be very costly to get it in back in any sort of safe condition. Sadly the project appeared to lack direction after one the leading chaps died a few years ago and it has drifted since then.

The H&S argument is a difficult one though and I for one would not want to see anyone hurt while working on the aircraft. Despite what people might think, BAE Systems has a legal obligation to those on any of the company sites (including me!) and the risk of hefty litigation is all too real these days. I agree that H&S can go too far at times but I believe in this case the airframe was becoming dangerous to work on.

Sorry about the post length and I expect it will fall on deaf ears (or blinkered eyes) but there you go.

Incidentally work started on the main gear last night doing I don’t know what. Draining fluids maybe?

AP

As far as I know there has been no change to the plans from last year. Anything useful to other Vulcan projects will be removed and then it will be “dismantled and removed”. There was a rumour about rescuing the nose section but it all went quiet; probably when it was realized how difficult it was.
I haven’t seen anyone near the aircraft since early December anyway.

I’ll keep the board informed if I hear anything else. Sadly I can’t post any photos as cameras aren’t allowed on site. I’ll see if I can get official permission to take some photos before it is gone.

AP

A search on this forum on XM603 will tell you all you need to know.

AP

it’s still in one piece as of this morning i’ve been very reliably informed.

J man

It is indeed still in one piece. I’ll keep you posted on further developments (I can see it from my office window, as indeed I have seen it every day for the last 17 years)

AP