Avro Vulcan XH558 requires urgent funding to keep flying

[Henry Tenby]

Call to get Vulcan airborne once again
A FIFE MAN is urging people to help return an iconic aircraft to the skies.

The last flying Avro Vulcan, Vulcan XH558, has been languishing in a hangar in Leicestershire since 1993.

A campaign was launched in 1999 to return it to flight but there are fears the project may collapse due to a shortfall in funding.

St Andrews aircraft enthusiast Jim Ritchie, who is a member of the Vulcan to the Skies campaign, is hoping Courier readers will help to raise the final £150,000 needed to ready the delta-winged bomber for flight at air shows across the country.

The Avro Vulcan was a key part of Britain’s defence at the height of the Cold War and saw active service in the Falklands war.

It is hoped the aircraft, fondly referred to by club members as ‘the lady’, will be back at air shows this summer.

It is also intended it will be used as an invaluable tool in educating children about British science, engineering and history.

However Mr Ritchie said, “The aircraft currently sits in a hangar, fully flight-ready, unable to appear at UK air shows this year due to an urgent cash shortfall.

“If by the end of March £150,000 cannot be found to jump this final hurdle the whole nine-year project will close along with the extensive education programme built up around this incredible machine.”

Over £6 million has already been spent on restoring Vulcan XH558—£2.7m a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund—which is now the only one in the world in full flying condition.

It performed an initial flight test last October, swallowing £1000 worth of fuel in just 35 minutes, however more work is needed to prepare the aircraft for displays, including a further two extended flight tests.

Mr Ritchie, who communicated with the Vulcan during his time in the army, said, “As a national heritage asset belonging to every man, woman and child within our shores the aircraft’s immediate future is in doubt. Without public donations Vulcan XH558 may only fly once more.”

He said club members were desperately trying to ensure the Vulcan’s final voyage would not be to a museum.

Anyone who wants to donate to the campaign can send cheques, payable to VTST, to VTST Project Office, Bruntingthorpe Prooving Ground, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 5QS.

More details are available at http://www.vulcantothesky.com or http:// www.tvoc.co.uk