Letter from important people to the government wrote:SIR – The public has donated more than £5 million over three years for the restoration of the last delta-winged Avro Vulcan bomber. She is the only flying Vulcan in the world and the reaction last summer to her triumphant return to display flying was ecstatic.
The stirringly beautiful Vulcan in flight is an inspiration to the young and a reminder of the need to increase the country’s skills in design, engineering and manufacturing. The Vulcan is also a penetrating reminder of the lessons and sacrifices of the Cold War.
The efforts to keep Vulcan flying now face potentially insuperable funding challenges. We call upon the MoD to give a home to Vulcan in an expanded RAF Memorial Flight. The public paid for Vulcan’s return; now the Government needs to help keep her flying.
Sir Richard Branson
Sir George Cox
Chairman, The Design Council
Marshal of the RAF Lord Craig of Radley
Former Chief of Defence Staff
Bruce Dickinson
Iron Maiden lead singer and pilot
Frederick Forsyth
Robin Gibb
Songwriter and performer
Peter Hennessy
Professor of History, University of London
Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Knight
Vulcan pilot
Nick Mason
Pink Floyd drummer and pilot
Captain David Rowland
President, The Royal Aeronautical Society
Spitfire wrote:That's the sort of clout that's needed - hope someone takes notice - its a shame the 3 main signatories aren't stumping up wonga in the meantime though - they are the sort of wallas with spare cash that could do something to allay the current funding crisis. ;)
a day of mixed 'good/bad' news i think.
yes it is excellent that a letter such as this, with some 'big' names at the bottom has made it into the National Press (i hope that the other broadsheets carried it as well???) but...
i truly hope that it isn't seen as "we couldn't do it, so the Gov't must bail us out!"
at a time when we have seen major financial houses,and their 'greedy and incompetent' directors, seemingly fritter money away only to receive huge rescue-packages from the public purse (aka Northern Rock etc.), it would be a great shame if the Telegraph readership were to get the same idea with 558's plight.
whilst the BBMF is self-funding, even if it weren't, some things are sacrosanct - like BBMF! sadly i really don't think that 558 falls into the same bracket, however much we might love her.
so, that being said, i would like to see 558 under the RAF's 'wing' (groan!) - but for it to meet with Whitehall/Gov't/MoD/public approval, 558 must be seen to be a worthwhile 'asset' in the guise of a vital educational and/or recruitment tool as, with the latter, she used to be in the days of the VDF.
still, the education aspect to 558 remains the pivotal aspect. i sincerely hope that this important message comes across loud and clear in that letter, and not just a plea for aid.
sm
Find that line a bit hard to understand mate, how can we call for publicity and then complain when it is provided??Spitfire wrote:I don't know about anyone else but I begin to feel like this posting of the great long diatribe above is on the verge of spamWe is all growed up people here - even Tom - and we only need to see that once to understand its importance - so to see it posted twice in 2 different threads is a bit of overkill IMHO. Its not like we are going to miss it. By all means have an XH558 Press Office thread - fine - good idea - but keep it out of the other threads thanks - this is not TVOC.
I have noted its content and earlier this evening I copied it and sent it by email to the local papers down here - so don't label me a kill joy - or negative or whatever ... I just get so fed up with it getting plastered all over the place - with a post that long once is enough thank you. Publicity is one thing - but over kill is another.
I came over here to get away from it a bit![]()
Ducati Boy wrote:Find that line a bit hard to understand mate, how can we call for publicity and then complain when it is provided??![]()
Presumably you came to have freedom of access, freedom of speech and freedom to post too, regardless of who or what you represent! That's why I came over for sure!! Inevitably I realise that will mean some views that I agree with, but I'd fight for your right to say them.![]()
I do hope this is not going to become a site where only views agreeable to certain strongly opinioned people are acceptable and everyone else must shut up for fear of vigorous opposition.![]()
Last point, this is I think a Vulcan related thread ??
Dan4th wrote:Speaking as an American, I can only say that I
stongly resent the use of the "Murkin Card" in
that supposed press release. I am unaware of
any group or individual who is actively going
after Vulcan for whatever reason. The person
who wrote that broadside was obviously clutching
at straws.
As for me, I only have the best and strongest good
will toward 558 AND the British people. For some
git to imply that Americans are somehow waiting
with itchy fingers to steal away YOUR Vulcan and
take her away is absurd.
I want to know who wrote that. I REALLY WANT to
know who wrote that. Angry doesn't even come close
to telling you how I feel at this moment.
Speechless.
Dan4th
Checkflaps wrote:Vulcan to America - don't think so somehow.
If my memory serves me right (which it frequently doesn't), Kermit Weeks WAS interested in getting a Vulcan for his collection back when they were being scrapped. That didn't work out then and I really can't see him throwing his money at one now. Beyond him, WHY would Americans want a Vulcan? Yes, they are beautiful aircraft, but what relavence do they have to Joe Public in the US. How many would even recognise one (no offence D4th).
With 2 Vulcans in America already, 1 of whch is under threat (at Barksdale AFB), there just isn't the interest for another.
Also, who is going to pay off all of TVOC's creditors (including the HLF) - and THEN fly XH558 there and hip all the stock? Its not like America has somehow avoided the worldwide economic slowdown and everyone has buckets of cash to throw at large and expensive foreign military aircraft.
I'm not giving up, but I am struggling to see just HOW this can have a successful outcome.
4 weeks and counting...................
CF
IanM wrote:Checkflaps wrote:Vulcan to America - don't think so somehow.
If my memory serves me right (which it frequently doesn't), Kermit Weeks WAS interested in getting a Vulcan for his collection back when they were being scrapped. That didn't work out then and I really can't see him throwing his money at one now. Beyond him, WHY would Americans want a Vulcan? Yes, they are beautiful aircraft, but what relavence do they have to Joe Public in the US. How many would even recognise one (no offence D4th).
With 2 Vulcans in America already, 1 of whch is under threat (at Barksdale AFB), there just isn't the interest for another.
Also, who is going to pay off all of TVOC's creditors (including the HLF) - and THEN fly XH558 there and hip all the stock? Its not like America has somehow avoided the worldwide economic slowdown and everyone has buckets of cash to throw at large and expensive foreign military aircraft.
I'm not giving up, but I am struggling to see just HOW this can have a successful outcome.
4 weeks and counting...................
CF
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