Thats all?

Honest Rob, that’s all you miss about Leicestershire?!!!!

Thanks!

Thanks Lindys Lad, and anyone else who has kind words for us.
It’s a pity you didn’t have more time John, as there is much more to see. We couldn’t open several cockpit’s or aircraft due to the high wind and sporadic rain, but your group did arrive with some sunshine!
As you know, we, like many others feel a little overshadowed by the Vulcan at the moment, but we keep plugging on.
Someone recently had a thread about what aircraft restoration meant to various people, and to me, it is sharing, not only our aircraft, but hopefully, some of our enthusiasm.
Both Max and myself have had the privilege of working with, and being able to call a friend, one of the most amazing men in aircraft preservation, Nev Martin. He took us under his wing, has shown endless generosity, and encouraged us when we felt beaten. He is 80 next week, but his energy puts us to shame.
I would also like to make a special mention of David Walton, who allows us to play in his back yard! the Lightning Preservation Group, who’s achievements I put above those of the V***** (sorry!) but they are an amazing bunch of guy’s, who I find particularly inspirational. They never cut corners, are a safe and careful group, but against the odds they make it happen, and I would encourage everyone who visits the tin triangle to take a look at what they are up to in the tree’s! The Canberra group, Cold war Jets, Beach restorations, the Buccaneer lads all of them individual but achieving miracles.
And our own bunch of renegades! Phoenix Aviation, I have already mentioned Nev, but in Malc, Roy, Vic, Tony the Bob’s, young Thomas, and Liam who come over from Ireland several times a year just for the fun of it, good friend’s and people I respect. The laughter over a cup of tea and a bit of cake is worth all the misery of the rain wind and cold.
Most of what people feel when they visit us at Bruntingthorpe is the spirit of what we are all trying to achieve, we are successful with bringing on youngsters, I believe because we don’t look down on them, we let them have a go, and put them right when and only when we need to.
Thanks again for the kind words, and if I haven’t mentioned anyone, sorry, a senior moment!! but you are all brilliant.
One last thought, Sunday is the official museum opening day, and most of us go down on a Saturday, so if you want to meet or see anything in particular, drop us a line and we will try and sort something out.
Ritch and Max.

I agree, but also!

We are based at Bruntingthorpe, and as far as we are aware the situation is as cypherus summed it up in his last posting.
I will also add that we understand a total of 8 hours flying will be required before issue of a permit to fly. And that although she may spend time away durring the airshow season’s, 558 will overwinter at Bruntingthorpe.
And lastly, there is the sniff in the air of a planned open day (airshow?) in the spring next year at Bruntingthorpe. And who can guess who will be the star turn?! I think the VOC, owe Dave Walton that much at least. Indeed I think all Vulcan enthusiasts owe Dave and the rest of the Walton familly a masive thank you, for standing by this project from the very beginning, and making it all possible.

Canopus and Bruntingthorpe.

There is one very big reason why another large project will not be possible at Bruntingthorpe for the foreseeable future.
We have a ruddy great Vulcan sitting in the only hangar, and she needs that roof over her head for some winters to come!
Canopus, is in great shape, considering she has lived outside since she arrived at Bruntingthorpe, and is a credit to her volunteer crew, but to fly again, that’s another matter.
I don’t think Bruntingthorpe will ever be the centre of such excitement ever again, it’s someone else’s turn to be centre stage, but, how many airfield operators / owners will be as generous as The Walton family have been to 558.

The word around Bruntingthorpe today (Saturday) is as follows, there will be some sort of official “handing over to the crew” early next week (another expensive publicity stunt?!) she will then be out later in the week for runs and taxi trials observed by a CAA test pilot. At some point shortly thereafter she will fly.

Now, I am told by a respected member of the VTS team, that the CAA have stipulated that no more than 250 people are to be present at the first flight, more than this and they will stop the flight, as it would be considered legaly to be an airshow, which requires a special licence, insurance etc.

Also, the local police will activly keep the roads around the site clear of parked cars and move on anyone trying to see what is going on from the road, they will also stop people from trying to get around the perimeter of the site.

I was also told that after this one flight, she will be going back into the hangar and that will be it till next spring! It seems that major sponsors for next year won’t comit cash till she flys, and they need more funds to carry on flying. A catch 22 situation it would seem.

This information has come from a well known VTS team member, so I assume it is true, but dont shoot me it it’s wrong!!!!!!!!!!!