XM573 - Strategic Air & Space Museum, Nebraska.

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Hi guys, just thought I'd all let you know I am pushing hard to get my grubby mitts on XM573 which is situated at Strategic Air & Space Museum, Nebraska.

I am assigned to the USAF working from Offutt AFB whilst I carry out my aircraft 'Q annotation' course on the RC135W Rivet Joint aircraft. Obviously, with my Vulcan experience on XH558 I hope to make a start on restoring her - it will be a large task but if I can get the wheels in motion at least. Fingers crossed they have a set of Air Publications to start with!

Wish me luck! Lol.

I shall keep you all updated on the progress.

[RLN]

Good luck, and keep us up to date when you can.

[MOD]

I wish you lots of luck...

Keep us informed of your progress ??

ibw

[Dan4th]

Check this page:::::::::::::

http://www.sasmuseum.com/2008/11/21/avro-hawker-vulcan/

And from long ago::::::::::::



At least she's INDOORS!!!!!!!!!!

573 was one of the Black Buck aircraft, am I right???????

And X-Sleeper, I wish you well!!!!!

Brace yourself for a Winter like you've Never Seen!!!!!

Danf.

[Ramshornvortex]

573 was one of the Black Buck aircraft, am I right???????

The four Vulcans used in the Black Buck missions were:

XM597
XM598
XM607
XM612

All survive in either British museums or, in the case of '607, as the Gate Guard at RAF Waddington....

By the way, Dan4th, there's a few clangers on that Museum page, by the way.....

[Exceptionalsleeper]

573 was one of the Black Buck aircraft, am I right???????

The four Vulcans used in the Black Buck missions were:

XM597
XM598
XM607
XM612

All survive in either British museums or, in the case of '607, as the Gate Guard at RAF Waddington....

By the way, Dan4th, there's a few clangers on that Museum page, by the way.....

I shall be making amends!

And Dan... I have been made very aware! I shall be hibernating in between work!

[Dan4th]

RHV: The clangers don't surprise me because
even people in the USAF have very little
knowledge of the Vulcan

X-Sleeper: See if you can't get the website
fixed

What kind of state is she in????????

(...and no, I don't mean NEBRASKA )

Danf.

[Mayfly]

Good to see you still around Steve....

[Ray C]

I wished I lived in Nebraska Xsleeper, I'd wear warm clothing & offer my help,
Over recent months I've offered my services on 603 with no acceptance from
those involved....!

[Jigsaw]

Nice to see you posting mate. Good luck with it. Can't wait to see progress reports

[Hihonyr8811]

That's my mums Vulcan we have a lovely print on our (her) wall of her.

Good luck, look forward to updates

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Hi guys, well here is a small collection of the photos (sorry for the quality - taken on my phone) of XM573 I took today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16176508@N07/sets/72157631716232794/

When I first got to the museum, I quick scowered the place in search of XM573 - she couldn't be seen. My initial reaction was that she may have gone. Anyhow, I went over to reception and asked where the Vulcan was. After explaining that I am English and NOT Australian she kindly directed me around the back.

Well, there she sat outside with a somewhat nose-down attitude - seems the oleo has really hit rock bottom with no shiny fescalised portion in sight! My first job should I be allowed is to see if the seals have perished - I reckon they are long gone. No doubt the lovely guys at 655MaPS or VTTS will scan me a copy of the AP nose U/C charging procedure should the museum not have a set of AP's - otherwise its 'off the cuff'!

She is sadly in a rum state. I guess all those years outside have taken its toll. Her port exhaust cowlings are badly corroded (see photos) and her nose undercarriage doors have unfortunately been attacked by a butcher! I stared at her from afar to try and comprehend the enormous task of just making her presentable.

As I have said, my first job is to ensure she stands proud and not like a dithering old bat. A fuel probe would be excellent if one could be sourced. Even if I could source bits, getting them over here would be a royal pain! I shall just do what I can, luckily aircraft structures is my bread and butter.

Despite my excitement, I may not get a chance to make at least a small difference.

[Avro683]

This is great news and look forward to updates on the repairs to her! Wonder why she was pushed outside as she was indoors for awhile....?

[Gaz]

She's not too far gone though, mate!

She'd look nice for a wire brush and a lick of paint

[Exceptionalsleeper]

She's not too far gone though, mate!

She'd look nice for a wire brush and a lick of paint

You're most certainly right Gaz. Thing is, nobody seems interesting in an old English relic. That is why I aim to do even just something small to make a difference.

I can get cockpit access also so I shall grab some photo's and share them with you. Apparently, she is in very good order upstairs.

I can't wait to get inside her!

[Ray C]

You Lucky Lucky man..... Enjoy.

[Jigsaw]

Those pics are pretty good for a mobile mate.
She looks like she needs a bit of tlc but not what I expected.

Again, good luck with it

[Avro683]

Sounds like your making progress with getting permission to access/work on her. I wonder what state she is in electrically and if she could be brought back to some sort of life again after her long slumber??

[Avro683]

Any news??

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Sorry for the late reply. I finally start at the museum on Sat. It took some doing because they had to run background checks on me despite not having any history in the US. I shall keep you updated.

[Xplumberlives]

Good luck Mate!

[Dan4th]

Good luck Mate!

Same Here!

Looking forward to your next report......

If you show vids of 558 to a few people,
you might just get a few volunteers

Danf.

[Avro683]

He's in!! Great news.. looking forward to pics and updates mate!

[Jigsaw]

Looking forward to this

[Gaz]

Can't be any harder than one berk deciding he wanted to take on the Bruntingthorpe super guppy!