XH558: The restoration nears completion. Engine runs!!!

[simi_av8r 0]

As Avro Vulcan B2 'XH558' nears the final, and most crucial stage of her epic restoration project under the care of TVOC, the grapevine reveals its secrets to yours truly. I am therefore, exstatic to be able to give to you, courtesy of TVOC PR Manager "Smiler"..... engine run videos!! JUST LISTEN TO HER HOWL!!! :wub :wub :wub :wub

External View:

Cockpit View:

and a few pictures to fill the bucket!

basking in the sun:

towing to the test bed (notice the EE Lightnings in the background!):

whats left then (red means completed):

Sorry for the lenghty post, but i think this Lady of the skies really does deserve it!

Simi

[mutley 4,498]

Hi Simi,

That's one lovely noise, I hope I get to see her, next year?

Cheers

[simi_av8r 0]

Hi Simi,

That's one lovely noise, I hope I get to see her, next year?

Cheers

better than next year Mut... TVOC have promised at least one flight before the 2007 Airshow season is over - so book your tickets for Duxford!!! Also, if you find you Bank Holiday weekend is going too slowly, or you've nothing planned, she'll be out for all to see this Saturday, Sunday and monday 10am-4pm, entry by donation... I'll be there!

[mutley 4,498]

Lucky you Simi,

Early on there was talk of her being at RIAT I didn't realise she was this far advanced.

I am busy all weekend, shame

Cheers

[simi_av8r 0]

Lucky you Simi,

Early on there was talk of her being at RIAT I didn't realise she was this far advanced.

I am busy all weekend, shame

Cheers

she was due to take part in the Falklands 25th anniversary fly-over, but a few set backs and OEM delays put her 3 weeks behind. Then came Waddo' and they pulled her out of there a few days before due to not being CAA approved... and of course the abysmal weather!!

Good news is she's now back on track and things are going really well from what I hear. Its unlikely she'll make an appearance at an airshow before late September mind you, but here's hoping!

[MartinW 0]

Fantastic!!!

I remember many years ago, when I was a lad, sitting on the roof of the shed at the bottom of my parents garden. [With my best pal Cheetah (Siamese)] We looked into the distance and there was an amazing site to greet us a huge delta winged monster flying low and slow.

Cheetah said. 'Hey Mart look at that!' Yes, it was a Vulcan; utterly astonished I rushed into the house and had a gander in the local paper to my surprise there was an airshow at Billsley common. Great stuff in those days, who needs an airfield for an airshow?

I rang my best pal and we took a bus down there, got to see the red arrows flying directly over our heads, so low you could throw something at them and wonder if it would hit, and yes, the Vulcan, still remember the low frequency vibrations in my belly.

I do have a dodgy back so travelling distances is an issue but if I can get to see it again I will!

[reef 3]

When i was a child my pops took me to Humberside airshow. The Vulcan was there and flew low and low over the crowd and then pulled up hard. With the thrust directed at the crowd on full power the ground vibrated and the noise was immense. I'll never forget that day. Had hoped to see her at Elvington but had to make do with the Victor doing a ground run. My 2 year old daughter was not impressed Rest of the show was good if a little damp though.

steve

[mutley 4,498]

Fantastic!!!

Cheetah said. 'Hey Mart look at that!' Yes, it was a Vulcan; utterly astonished I rushed into the house....

Not as astonished as I am, a talking cat , WOW! :rofl

[MartinW 0]

With the thrust directed at the crowd on full power

Yes it did that trick as well, thrilling!

Not as astonished as I am, a talking cat , WOW!

Now listen up you smelly old dog... Cheetah was a master of the English language with several novels under his belt and a column in our local newspaper, also a PhD in feline/ human social dynamics and bioinformatics.

Scratchy doesn’t talk; he’s too busy with the unified field theory.

[Magic Man 0]

Yep, great sound memories there. Used to be a static at St Athan too that was great for sheltering under from the rain...

[JF_Rich 1]

Looks like it could be going up any day now. They are purposely keeping the first flights under wraps for insurance reasons (if too many people turn up it then automatically becomes classed as an airshow in which case they cannot take off as they wouldn't have the necessary certificates at that point).

[simi_av8r 0]

Looks like it could be going up any day now. They are purposely keeping the first flights under wraps for insurance reasons (if too many people turn up it then automatically becomes classed as an airshow in which case they cannot take off as they wouldn't have the necessary certificates at that point).

Thats right Rich. the TVOC team and the CAA agreed to allow a small number of spectators as a 'Thank You' to all those who helped and donated towards the fund required. The easiest, and probably the fairest way to do this was a Raffle. As a result, TVOC held a hugely popular raffle and agreed that the 15 names 1st out of the box would be invited personally to watch the first flight.

Unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky names, but I'm sure we'll all hear about the Delta Lady's adventures in the Big Blue Sky soon enough on the news!!!!

If anybody has time, i highly recommend that you visit the TVOC site, and view the web-cams. You'll be able to watch as they bring this old girl back to life!

As always, if there's any news regarding her ascent to the skies, you'll hear about it here from me!!!