Thanks for that…enjoyed reading it and looking at the pics very much..Ta!

Durring early 2007, I made an approach to T.V.O.C. asking if it might be possible for my son to spend his two weks work expirience with the company. I spoke to Mr Edmondson himself about this, and he was very enthusiastic, saying that it would be a great way of meeting in part the educational requirements of the HLG.
All was organised, a risk assesment carried out by the educational dept and forms signed, and most of all my son was over the moon about the time he was to spend with them.
One week before the work expirience was to comence, we were informed that it would no longer be possible. We were never given a firm reason, but they hinted at problems with insurance. I offered to pay any extra insurance premium from my own pocket, but never got a reply from them.
I managed to hastely arrange a single week for my son at a local Aerospace manufacturing plant, he spent his first week picking up litter around his school as he had no placement for that week, a bit of a comedown!
What I am trying to point out is that there has been questionable organisation for a long time, and quite frankly, I was left suspecting that they couldnt organise a ******* up in a brothel!!!
So, I agree the educational element of the whole deal is to say the least, questionable.

Yes the one weeks notice is not impressive is it?…I suspect it was a condition from the CAA that only suitable qualified engineers were allowed any where near the Vulcan..The old dropping a spanner syndrome..

I’m sure your son would not have been left in any position unsupervised near the aircraft ..but I suspect that is the reason and yes based on what you have posted it would appear TVOC could have handled it better…

I genuinely hope they get the cash to get her up in the air again….but this time they really need to get their act together with generating publicity with the public who I’m sure once they see her fly or hear about her will go some way to digging in their pockets to keep her in the air..

XL because they flew me from Gatwick to Tenerife return last week for £49 INCLUDING TAXES…beat that!

The story of XM655 and Wellesbourne is part tragedy part triumph….I think i’m right in thinking that when it landed there back in the mid 80’s it was only supposed to stay there 24 hrs on route to southend before the CAA grounded it (it had been bought my a businessman who wanted to keep one flying!!)

The tragedy was again I think i’m right in saying was it was the best Vulcan the RAF had in terms of condition and the most air frame life left…It had also had the expensive spar modification done..

It ended up sitting rotting for many years before the current folk (MAPS) started to lovingly look after her…full credit to all and a triumph against the odds and yes a wonderful sight..just a shame she is outside with the elements 365 days a year…