“BAE SYSTEMS has agreed to form a partnership with the Imperial War Museum in the development of the AirSpace project. This partnership also enables the Company to centre its main heritage activities at Duxford.”

So long XM603. Gone by 2006 I reckon!

We are all frustrated here because we want to see some classic airframes flying, so fast taxi’s it is.
Fast taxi a Valkarie and I will be on the next flight out!
The first BA Concorde has been retired today and already BA engineers are taking componants out to stop it from being started as I type.

Not much spares to talk about. We either fix it ourselves or find a company who can, and beg! Fire bottles are our next problem. They need re filling but Kiddie’s have quote £5k each.
Any other parts, then Bruntingthopre, then Southend and both always help us, and we would do the same in return. We currently have Bruntingthorpes Vulcan Jacks on site. Newark have also helped and we have loaned them our swan neck so they could get there wheels off. We also have an offical agreement in place and if all else fails then if XM607 has a servisble item, we swap it.
I know most museums have signed up to a parts swop with 558 if she flies. The bomb bay has many bits that are useful.
Bruntingthorpe has 10 201’s, of which 8 are zero timed, we missed out on a good 301 that was made avaible to us, which has to say the least frustrated me!
Tyres, well, after 20 years the rubber is not the best but OK. Brakes were serviced last year by Dunlop (after begging).
Then the USA Vulcans are still 99% complete, which would be good for 558, maybe I will suggest to VOC that I go over and have a look for them.

Security – not bad, but we do have CCTV around the aircraft.

I think its the case of how long we can keep going with her. Without new recruits, 10 years, then she will be left say for another 5 or so years.
Air frame is good, undercarrige is good, we did some retraction tests a few years ago and all was well.
If you have watched XM655 though, No4 engine is a bit smokey. I think she could make it, but finding a crew to do it could prove hard! And we would be jailed for at least 5 years no doubt!

As DB says, the out side ones will go. The mag alloy is the first to corrode, and on some of the examples, this is happening now.
When last saw 360 about a year ago, the tyres were deflated, and the main problem is that you get damp on the underside of a Vulcan. More so if the aircraft sits on grass. I know 360 is enjoying a re paint, but these beasts need cash injection to keep them looking nice. Newarks one sits on concrete and is surving some what well, and they power the APU excercise the bomb doors and airbrakes. This small excercise helps a lot in keeping the aircraft dry. They also came up with the idea of putting concrete in the tyres, so keeping the appearance nice. This knowledge should be shared and I do not know if museums talk to each other, Maybe a yearly 2 day conference to share ideas on how each preserve there aircraft and also any museums that are struggling. Hey , may be Flypast could sponsor the event!
655 is indeed looking her best right now, but as a trustee of XM655, I know what our limits are, I am the youngest member and I am in my mid 30’s. It is very hard to get interest from the young ones. Working outside in all weathers, does not seem to appeal these days to our young generation!

Ah forgot Norwich, but yes, she will go. Woodford will go when BAE pull the plug on the site to make way for housing, just after the Nimrod programme is finished no doubt.