Interesting that even at this late stage folks are realising that flying Vulcan is going to be an expensive business, something had they been listning all along they would have already known, and the truth is it is going to be amazingly expensive to do just 20 airshows a year. But surely this is missing the point of the excersise, it’s not that it’s a Vulcan, or that it flies, it’s the fact that when push comes to shove, even in this day an age this country can produce a small group of people that can achieve great things, let us hope we do not shy away at the last moment and for once allow our success to shine through and enjoy XH558 for what it represents. Congratualtions to all involved.

Maybe this will help fill the hours till announcements can be made…

http://www.captain-vulcan.freeuk.com/home.htm

Chirpy, never been known for that but working 15hour shifts tends to make you a little jaded at times hence the early hours posting, and by the way tried contacting the office more than once, no one at home, guess they were all out outside eating biscuits maybe and as to asking questions, seems to some that those that do are ridiculed mercilessly by those that should know better maybe folks would be better informed if the website was updated on a regular basis rather than leaving it too this forum and other like it to chew over the little that has come out. As to any of the principles making any effort to contact me with information, I will not hold my breath they should have far better things to be doing and about the roll out, it was not in anyway mocking the situation and had you read al the concerned posts on all three forums you would have understood the elation that people were feeling at the sight of her being pushed in an out, missed it myself but the posted picture said it all really and the jovial comments about this event were a reflection of the sight.

As too VTTSCM, all I have to say there is ‘can it’, if anything I have posted has disturbed anyone that badly they know exactly were I can be contacted and I will be happy too cover any points that they have issue with, if I am wrong then I will certainly offer an apology, if not then hell will freeze before I retract a single word. having put two vintage airframes back in the air myself I am well aware of the problems that can be encountered along the way and the resources required, the fact that they don’t have loud and expensive engines or masses of electrical systems does not detract from the fact that I have already done what the TVOC team are now attempting, and yes I met the same sort of doubters along the way that at times surface on these forums and overcame it all in the end to have the same feelings that all will have when the XH558 project is completed, one of satisfaction and nothing more.

The figure quoted was exactly as stated by Skymonster i.e £1 million on the BBC this morning. It could be wrong -it could be right – who know? Do they have a press officer at Bruntingthorpe or Wimbourne?

Only thing I could find resembling a press officer is the unsinkable.

Felicity Irwin DL
Campaign Director and Trustee
Vulcan to the Sky Trust

Freephone: 0800 083 2022
Tel / Fax: 0044 (0) 1258 841 274
Email: [email]vulcantothesky@aol.com[/email]

However and yet again, little of any worth comes from this corner, seems far more interested in some thread concerning Biscuits and the colour of a missing bin as things stand. Maybe I am missing something here, maybe it,s press releases for ‘Eyes Only’ and definitley NOT for the little people.

I totally agree Ian, the trust has indeed let down TVOC and the conduct of some of the principles has been less than helpful to the project management, It has been stated on other forums that at times it can be noted that some people collect directorships and trustee status like others collect stamps, nice too look at and require little or no maintainance, it has also been mentioned that a lot of mirrors are showing signs of a thick smoke film too, and too David, very true, the art of financial prediction in any major project like this one is rather a black art learned often at great expense, also true that the autopsy can wait till after, but I did say it was my own opinion on things as they stood, TVOC had the chance too make a lot of noise about the situation and as we have seen once they stirred themselves the reaction was to say the least startling, Members and associates alike began to make things happen very quickly indeed, one wonders if the situation would be as is had they issued regular statements on things before they became desperate, it is also true that today a Vulcan is not a good billboard for anyone too advertise on, and this begs the question on the business plan often mentioned but never published to date.

Just read Rusty’s latest post… ?

Like the posts enourmously, especially the bit about,

“Just be thankful you’ll get to see one of these superb jets back in the air, be it in ‘official’ 70s decals or not – and if it is (with the RAF’s blessing).. it might just help reverse this apathy about restoring a bit of pride into what was once a bluddy good (and proud) nation of aircraft designers, builders, flyers and engineers… and still is, in some quarters!

Possibly, with serious malice aforethought ect ect, you might like to team up one afternoon and pathfind for XH558 to drop a few buckets of instant sunshine on all the doubters and annoraks that have said so much for so long that it could not be done.

Seems the vitriol and finger pointing has already begun and the project is not yet finished either way.

The announcement too ‘Roll Out’ XH558 was made a long time ago and to comply with that commitment TVOC have quite rightly taken the view that wheels be needed, hence the roll out bit, The final fit of undercarriage components when returned from overhaul will I am sure be installed and the last poster was quite correct in stating that installation of such is no small task, possibly a three week schedule if memory serves correct to install, check and test all the components along with the additional internal work too the undercarriage bays that is still to be completed.

While XH558 is not anywhere near completed at this time, the five months remaining between now and the first announced engagement is well within the capabilities of any halfway decent ground crew given the components to hand and the backing to do the work, but as one of my colleagues wryly mentioned by way of a warning, ‘They will need wheels to drag the thing away if the Waltons foreclose’ and there we have the essence of this debate, A lot of people have benefited substantially from XH558 and will if it remains at Bruntingthorpe continue to be a major drain on any resources and I don’t doubt this fact has not been lost on TVOC and it’s supporters, moving the airframe at this time is not an option so completion to Permit to flight status is the only objective left, after that re-location as far as I can see is going to be the only recourse if the project is to continue, but right now any form of publicity that brings in donations and possible sponsors is welcomed, Were not done yet so stop carping.

Nevr knew a spit with a centre mounted cannon, but you never know.