Jump to content

Farewell XH558


topoxforddoc

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

As the last flying Avro Vulcan nears the end of her flying career, people in Britain have been going out in their masses to see her one last time. She flew over our house just 30 minutes ago. I didn't take any shots, as I just wanted to hear those 4 RR Olympus engines one last time. 

 

But here is a shot from some time ago - DMR 280/4 APO

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

I saw her at Goodwood a few years ago, and again on Saturday afternoon as she flew over Manchester airport, while I was attending a Lymphoma conference. By coincidence, afternoon coffee was at exactly the right time.

 

Unfortunately, only 3 engines running on Saturday, and she was a fair way from where we were, but a colleague happened to be walking along a footpath at the runway and has got a great shot of her as she passed directly overhead doing a 500 ft fly-past along the length of the runway.

 

A terrific sight, in the real sense of the word when you consider the sole intended purpose of her construction.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Yes, there was a good turn out at North Weald (where I live) – I thought there would be a few dozen enthusiasts but there were hundreds waiting at the airfield and alongside the perimeter. The Vulcan didn't disappoint, doing a nice banked turn and run above the line of the main runway before heading off towards the Thames Estuary. I suspect many were there, not so much to see the aeroplane as such (even though the Vulcan has always been a rather exciting sight), but to witness the retiring of a symbol of a different era. The Vulcan is very much a product of a pre-globalised world when a more politically consensual Britain was at the forefront of jet and aircraft technology and, though essentially broke, was still able to independently design and develop it's own nuclear deterrent. A far cry from more recent defence related projects like the (literally) scrapped Nimrod, the fiasco over the new aircraft carriers, Harrier replacement, etc. 

Edited by wattsy
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...