Very sad news, let hope that a suitable solution can be found to this obvious problem.

As I understand the situation English Heritage in conjunction with Atkins Heritage undertook an extensive Characterisation study of RAF Scampton, the results of which will eventually lead too the publication of an outline plan for the site that will attempt to promote both preservation of existing facilities, buildings and landscape on the airfield site along with advice provided by CgMs and others, this it is hoped will lead to a ‘Best Practice’ management of the site for future generations.

However as with all these projects is comes down to what available money can be diverted too the project out of the eight being considered in the same report structure as to how successful this will prove in the long term in preserving the site as is or if sacrifices have to be made covering same with an extensive recording of the sites current condition before change is allowed to proceed.

Considering that extensive remodelling of the field had been undertaken followed by removal of sections on one of the runways and demolition of certain facilities already occurring long before E/H was given the oversight task only archaeological records remain to place these in context with the sites history, a study of same has already be made several years ago to record what remains I believe.

My view has always been that this is a nationally important site of great value, however this is often condensed into a single nights operations in 1943 rather than the sites extensive overall historical/educational value.

I wonder how many here can actually recall the original name of the field, and how long it has been in operation both under that name and the now RAF Scampton.

As to moving the BBMF there, it is doubtful that the RAF has the resources to maintain a specific base for such a single purpose flight, even though that idea has great merit sadly leaving the BBMF as a constant thorn in their side relatively speaking, no doubt they would dearly love to do this but my guess is that they will remain at Coningsby fully supported by the RAF and Lincolnshire County Council at least as long as the base remains open.

Ok, situation is as I have been led to understand, XH558 will when the flight tests are done and the CAA are happy that the overhaul audit ect is complete will issue a ‘Permit to Fly’ given that conditions, such as they are, do not allow them too issue a full C of A for the airframe.

TVOC on the other hand are the only people/base certified to carry out maintenance work on this airframe with Marshall’s being the oversight body, so all general maintenance will be carried out by TVOC on this aircraft at Bruntingthorpe.

The Visit too Waddington initially is for compass swinging using the available pan they have there, as Brunty does not have one.

There has been much discussion regarding the eventual operating base of 558, and while the TVOC have stayed out of this, some of there operatives have given the opinion that the aircraft will continue to be based at Bruntingthorpe for the foreseeable future, other than that nothing has been indicated by anyone associated with the aircraft to the contrary on the TVOC website, again rumours abound on this one but boil down to wishful thinking for the most part, runway at Brunty is in fair condition and a good sweep is all that the aircraft needs to keep the FOD away.

As for fire cover, Brunty does have this, both on site, and from information I got, from the local fire brigade as would any normal airfield operations anywhere, the recent cancellation of a days testing was mentioned on the website as being down too the on site appliances not being serviceable for the day in question.

Operations away from site have also been discussed in depth, 558 will as required operate from other airfields with the support being provided by TVOC ground crew this would of course mean that they would also have to carry with them any equipment and spares they needed, but anything major and it’s back too good ole Brunty again.

As for Scampton, forget that idea, out of the four main hangars there, two were declared unsafe and are not in use and the other two are well and truly full, the runways in poor condition, in short the place is a wreck to what it was, lived next too the place for years and watched it fall apart.

Anyway all of this is on the website so no need to speculate, join in on the forum there and read it first hand, the TVOC staff give regular input too the discussions that take place and will given time often answer direct questions in detail, be warned though, the place has a form of ‘swear box’, £5 a time donations, cost me a bit so far….:diablo:

Apart from the obvious and well founded objections that the CAA has to returning a lightning to flight in the UK there are those of actually locating one with sufficient TI to make it worth the expense, to date unless someone has one tucked away in storage that’s a given no, so the only other alternative would be too undertake the massively expensive re-working of an available airframe by replacing all the lifed structures with new to give it a workable life span too justify the expense.

We have no Valiants left available and all the Victors are too far gone too consider the idea, even if this was not the case the time frame involved of five too ten years would mean that 558 would be about ready to retire, yet again, so little or no chance of seeing them airborne together, so what’s left.

Ideas are being floated about Jaguars, but here again you meet the same problems that plagued the Lightning, few airframe hours, hurried disposal of spares stocks and few airframes to choose from as most are being stripped out as quick as they are withdrawn, so unless someone applies a lot of talent and money on such a project, obtains a complete airframe, as many spares as they can and has unlimited resources, even that ideas going to be hard to put into practice.

My feelings were that XH558 was going too be the first and last such restoration too flight in the UK with possibly the Buccaneer being a close second if enough money could be found.

Had to exhibit a wry smile when a friend in the Uk called me with the news that 558 had actually, was at that time flying, gave a running commentary for this momentous event, mini bar got raided for a small celebration, but seriously though, we have all followed the progress of the TVOC over the past years as they have bounced from the highs and lows along the way, I wonder how many here seriously doubted that once the HLF was on board the aircraft would not once again fly, the depth of public support for the project has surprised many over the years, Well done to all those involved and to all those that supported the project.

Not the first time this sort of thing has happened, sadly a sign of the times and the mongrels that would stoop so low to make a few quid are rarley caught or the property recovered, suggest you keep an eye on ‘Evil Bay’ a lot of this stuff has appeared on there for sale.

As rumours go, seems the TVOC now has control over 603 and her near future fate, my guess would be they will liberate what spares they can as and when they have time, Remove the Cockpit at the construction joint and sell that on and the rest will be chopped up and the proceeds put too good use keeping 558 going, dunno how much a Vulcan as scrap would be worth but would say it’s a fair amount.

Sadly the end for 603 was sealed a long time ago and was and is inevitable unless someone with very large amount of money steps up to move her to a safe location.

No plans to change the paint scheme, seems to be something to do with the HLF and their requirements that 558 remains as is, even if it was not the reason at currnet prices you would be looking at a five figure sum to clean te airframe down and respray it complete.

A lot of chat has centred around having her done out in Anti flash white but unless things change and money become available I for one doubt this will happen.

Looks like Taxi tests will begin next week, things are moving on slowly but surely towards flight, best of luck to them all.