Vulcan XH558: The end of the V Bomber era

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

As some of you may know, the Avro Vulcan was a British four engined jet bomber that is part of a group of 3 aircraft alongside the Vickers Valiant and Handley Page Victor that made up the “V Force” bombers. From the 1950s to the 1980s, these 3 aircraft were the main heavy bomber force of the RAF and used in a variety of roles. However the rising cost of operation as well as the ever advancing pace of aviation and technological development soon brought about an end to these aircraft. The most successful and arguably, most iconic of these 3 was the Avro Vulcan, known for its delta wing design, unmistakeable sound and surprising performance for such a large aircraft.

 

 

The most memorable event for the Vulcan in recent years, a reunion with two examples of its fellow Avro family member, the Lancaster.

 

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXEsMrITsWA[/media]

 

 

XH558 with the Royal Air Force Red Arrows display team.

 

What some of you may not not however is that this year, 2015, will be the last ever opportunity to see one of these remarkable aircraft fly. It was recently announced that the sole airworthy example of any V Bomber or any Avro Vulcan will be grounded by the end of the year due to rising costs of running, maintenance and ongoing operational costs that all combine to keep this unique aircraft in the skies. This coupled with the factor that XH558 has been flying longer than any Vulcan in history, so faults, errors or issues are becoming increasingly difficult to trace, tract and protect against. The Vulcan to the Sky trust have operated the ex RAF display aircraft since 2007 simply by the funding from sponsors and donors as the aircraft was also cut from the RAF display team back in 1992 again due to the cost of operation.

 

 

The Vulcan in formation with the Blades display team and a Spitfire TR.9

 

Anyone who lives in Britain will be familiar with the unmistakable shape of the Vulcan and for those that have seen it in person, the unique sound it creates. It is for that reason, when XH558 was finally restored and back in the skies it was given the name “The Spirit of Great Britain”. Since its first flight in 2007, there have been many memorable moments and occasions for the Vulcan, including several flights with the Red Arrows and most recently in 2014, with 2 Avro Lancasters.  Originally it was only envisaged that it would return for just 4 display seasons, yet it has managed to achieve double that with 8 years of airworthiness. However this year will likely be the most memorable as it will be the last time to see this aircraft fly. Several examples exist in museums all over the world, but the Vulcan more than most other aircraft is a sight that also happens to have a unique and truly iconic sound.

 

The “Vulcan Howl”

One particular feature of the Vulcan that made it so popular at airshows and so iconic in its own right is its distinctive “Howl” or roar. The sound occurs when the Vulcan is running between 80-90% power or above and is partially down to the unique shape of the aircraft. Its four Rolls Royce (Originally Bristol) Olympus engines generate a truly awesome amount of power that allows the Vulcan to pull off some spectacular maneuvers.

 

The best of the Vulcan (Sound warning)

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ARSE8jEHQ[/media]

 

For its final bow out that will be the last time a British V Bomber will ever take to the Skies, the Vulcan is going to countless UK airshows this year as a celebration of its history and to also to display to as many people as possible. Regardless of your taste or preference on aircraft, this is always the highlight of any airshow in the UK and will never fail to draw the crowds.  It is for this reason, that I would recommend to anyone interested in Aviation, whether you are interested in British aircraft or not, to see this aircraft in the skies at some point this year if at all possible  as it will truly be a sight you will remember.

 

Some additional Pictures:

 

The last airworthy Vulcan with the last airworthy De Havilland Sea Vixen:

 

XH558 with a Canberra PR 9:

 

The Vulcan in formation with the Gnat display team:

 

Vulcan, Vera and Thumper:

 

Touchdown after a display:

 

Bomb Doors Open:

[ITHOFAR 474]

sexy

Edited May 16, 2015 by ithofar

[TreuSchaferhund 1,017]

Wow! What a big beautiful bird. It's a shame she won't fly again after this year but thanks for sharing. 

[Vinto12 647]

Such a beautiful aircraft. :)

[Fishindude 800]

An extremely beautiful aircraft. A bloody shame it wont fly again after this year. 

[_Night_fury 1,265]

:Os  Damn it's really beautiful

[Kazumi_ 6,575]

Truly amazing and powerful to hear and see, if only I could have experienced it in person...

[Abgeschossene 10,084]

Nobody's fault but Britain that the last flying one won't fly anymore.

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

Nobody's fault but Britain that the last flying one won't fly anymore.

 

Nobody is to blame. Its just like the many that have come before it that eventually become impossible to carry on.

 

However making sure you see it before it is grounded is the most important thing  :yes:

[Doktor_Junkers 8,441]

Alright, time to unpack the good stuff.

 

I don't have a problem with crying myself to sleep tonight.

[Abgeschossene 10,084]

Nobody is to blame. Its just like the many that have come before it that eventually become impossible to carry on.

 

However making sure you see it before it is grounded is the most important thing  :yes:

 

They can continue maintaining it, though. One aircraft is not that hard to maintain.

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

They can continue maintaining it, though. One aircraft is not that hard to maintain.

 

Unfortunately not when said aircraft requires specialist parts that are no longer created, too hard or too expensive to fabricate and relies solely on donations to run. 

[Naam54673 1,537]

When will it be in the game?

[Abgeschossene 10,084]

Unfortunately not when said aircraft requires specialist parts that are no longer created, too hard or too expensive to fabricate and relies solely on donations to run. 

 

It still has hope. 

 

That hope relies on 3D printing though. IF they can get it to print something that isn't concrete, then those parts should be available.

[oXoP4NDEMiCZoXo 451]

Saw that same Vulcan last year at the Bournemouth Airshow amazing aircraft sounds & looks like a beauty. 

 

You have to be there to get that full experience of the sound from those 4 Rolls-Royce Olympus engines, it goes through your chest amazing Aircraft one of the most beautiful & beastly at the same time aircraft ever built! with out a doubt this is one of my favorite aircraft. 

 

I really hope we shall see her in game soon!

 

Good topic Smin!  :salute:

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

Small update:

 

XH558 had its first flight post winter maintenance today making her 2015 debut:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4uc2pjsbYk&feature=youtu.be

[Kazumi_ 6,575]

When will it be in the game?

half past never imho.

[Pony51 6,572]

Truly amazing effort those guys!

 

Its like keeping a B-58 Hustler airworthy, expensive!!

[RS_James 34]

I'm lucky enough to live and work close to doncaster airport where she is based. An awesome spectacle never to be repeated or seen again in the skies. It will be a sad day when she flies for the last time.

[balderz002 221]

With the amount of money in this country (private individuals i mean) its hard to see why things like this cant be made to carry on...................... I mean, Liverpool want to pay Raheem Stirling £100,000 a week to play football, and yet our (proud) history its falling away from us with every year that passes.

 

It makes me fear for our future.

 

Oh, and the best footage of the Vulcan I have ever seen is from Farnborough in 1955 when the Vulcan prototype made its public debut, and test pilot Roly Falk rolled it off takeoff..

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPuTgcrA2Zs

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffJ0WX1Xct0

 

There are alot of cool stories of the Vulcan when it was involved in Red Flag exercises in America. Also when the Yanks wanted to test their state of the art radar early warning system..........

Edited June 12, 2015 by balderz002

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

Wellesbourne display on the 21st 

 

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebEmgxxT1nI[/media]

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

Royal Air Force Red Arrows escort XH558 for her last appearance at the Royal International Air Tattoo July 2015:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm4GyNdOPWk

[COMSUBLANT 2,055]

Sad to see one of my favorite aircraft go, hopefully it will make its way into Warthunder someday.

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

Vulcan's last display at RAIT:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fNYhuKvQR8

 

Not her last of 2015, but the end of her Royal International Air Tattoo days.

[Williams_World 2,793]

Beutiful aircraft,sad it wont fly again, and I probably wont get to see it fly.  :(s