Avro Vulan to fly at Leuchars Airshow SEP 13 2008

[Henry Tenby]

As reported The Courier Newspaper from the UK:
http://www.thecourier.co.uk:80/outpu...11089744t0.asp

Airshow date for Vulcan bomber

AN ICONIC aircraft is expected to fly at this year’s Leuchars airshow for the first time in 16 years.

RAF Leuchars has confirmed it has been in talks to bring the delta-winged Avro Vulcan bomber to the 2008 airshow on September 13.

Flight Lieutenant Amanda Inglis said the Vulcan XH558, which is the only one left in the world still in flying condition—is going through final checks in order that it may be authorised to take part in air displays.

She said, “We are very keen to get it here—it would be one of the biggest crowd pullers.”

The aircraft had been languishing in a hangar in Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire, for 15 years until the Vulcan to the Sky Trust was launched in 2001.

The trust was granted £2.73 million by the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the aircraft.

After spending over £6 million on restoration, the trust struggled to find the £150,000 needed for the Vulcan to complete its flight test programme— fortunately, an attempt to raise the cash bore fruit following an article in The Courier last month.

St Andrews trust member Jim Ritchie said, “Once again we will all be able to witness this unique aircraft in the element where she truly belongs.”

The trust’s chief executive Dr Robert Pleming said, “The response we are receiving from our supporters to our appeal for funds to ensure we reach the air display season this year is very heartening.”

However, he said the trust still needs to raise a further £50,000 each month.