558 Winter Servicing

[Mayfly]

Whilst I have always thought starting a four month service in March was always going to push the limits to be ready for Waddington - I have been around 558 long enough not to count my chickens to early!!

It is looking tight but there is still 3 weeks to go....

any update gratefully received Nick

[Nickolas]

Whilst I have always thought starting a four month service in March was always going to push the limits to be ready for Waddington - I have been around 558 long enough not to count my chickens to early!!

It is looking tight but there is still 3 weeks to go....

any update gratefully received Nick

No worries you Paminess

[Hihonyr8811]

They've got a 3rd of a page in the Lincolnshire echo. Talking about possibly missing Waddington nothing new to what we already know though.
Havn't got a link as I've only just read our paper sorry.
I can never find my way around their website either

[Mayfly]

here you go

Waddington & 558


Thanks for heads up Helen

[Hihonyr8811]

Thanks Pam, that's the one

Although they have a better picture in the paper

[Wizzy]

Thanks for that Helen and Pam. This is a bit I haven't heard before...

The trust says it is hoping to make an announcement on Monday, June 21.

also...

If all goes to plan, the Vulcan is expected to simulate a bombing run similar to ones during the Black Buck raids in the Falklands Conflict. It will include pyrotechnic explosions on the ground as it flies over the crowd.

Hope they don't let all of them off in one go like last year at Cosby! Martin said it gave him quite a shock!!

[Mayfly]

they should go off behind the a/c not as she's flying over!!!

[PhantomAviator]

Allegedly the port gear has been requested to be ready for Friday Week!!

They can send requests till the cows come home. Whether or not they get it still depends upon many factors.

One of which is have the seals been passed as fit for purpose?
(Something that was allegedly done back in 2007).

Next is when they put it back together will it pass all the necessary tests?

Will all the necessary certs be signed off for Friday week.

Also by Friday week does that mean a week tomorrow?
Or a week next Friday?

I will believe it when it turns up to be fitted.

I DID say allegedly.............

Friday 18th.

When I hear it is on a truck heading west I'll post up on here.

I know you did and that is why with the normal course of things I would advise people not to hold their breath.
If you notice I included the same thing about the seals.
But I will add that I did sit in on 2 meetings in 2007 when this was discussed and it was supposed to have been sorted.
Along with problems (which were sorted) about the Fuel seals and the hydraulic hoses.
(that may jog a few memories in a certain direction).

Unfortunately Old dogs have not learnt new tricks from past experiences.

The only time I will rejoice is when a picture is posted of the leg having been fitted and the graceful lady sat on the ground being towed out of the Hangar for ground runs.
Call me pessimistic if you like, but...

[Xplumberlives]

Pessimistic OR realistic!

[Mayfly]

According to a post from Oberon on TVOC forum everything is expected to come together next week....

[Xplumberlives]

Here's HOPING!

[Hihonyr8811]

I have everything crossed

[Xplumberlives]

EVERYTHING?

[Hihonyr8811]

well ok, not everything, I couldn't cross my thumbs

[Xplumberlives]

Why ever not?

[Hihonyr8811]

Well when I cross my arms, my thumbs don't meet

[Mayfly]

[Xplumberlives]

Well when I cross my arms, my thumbs don't meet

Well then, cross them from the other end!

[Hungry Haggis]

this weeks update is in .Good to see the openness continues I did wonder a few days ago why there was no displays noted on th ewebsite now I know And understand I think.

The Vulcan to the Sky Trust “extended team” continue to work flat-out to complete the tasks needed to return XH558 to the 2010 air display season.

We have suffered a number of minor but unexpected delays, for example, on component deliveries. However work has progressed well on the two Fatigue Life Extension modifications: the Front Spar modification is complete; the Landing Light Aperture modification will be completed very soon.

We are very aware that people would like more news on when and where XH558 will be flying this year. Air show organisers have asked us (and sometimes demanded) that we do not publicise a schedule on our web site, as it causes them so many problems. We have reluctantly adopted a policy that we will inform individual shows of potential “no shows” as soon as we are aware, and their own publicity then has the job of flagging this to potential visitors.

Given that the Winter Engineering Programme started so late, because the funding was only available in March, the possibility of flying at RAF Waddington - still not guaranteed - would represent a remarkable achievement by the engineering team and our suppliers alike. We will make an announcement about XH558’s participation at Waddington during the week commencing Monday 21st June.

Make no mistake – XH558 will not fly until all the work has been completed to ensure we can operate to 100% serviceability – safety will always be our core objective.

As ever, we continue to do everything possible to bring dates forward, but there can be no short-cuts to returning XH558 to flight safely.

Kind Regards,
Robert Pleming
Vulcan To The Sky Trust.

[Mayfly]

this weeks update is in .Good to see the openness continues I did wonder a few days ago why there was no displays noted on th ewebsite now I know And understand I think.

The Vulcan to the Sky Trust “extended team” continue to work flat-out to complete the tasks needed to return XH558 to the 2010 air display season.

We have suffered a number of minor but unexpected delays, for example, on component deliveries. However work has progressed well on the two Fatigue Life Extension modifications: the Front Spar modification is complete; the Landing Light Aperture modification will be completed very soon.

We are very aware that people would like more news on when and where XH558 will be flying this year. Air show organisers have asked us (and sometimes demanded) that we do not publicise a schedule on our web site, as it causes them so many problems. We have reluctantly adopted a policy that we will inform individual shows of potential “no shows” as soon as we are aware, and their own publicity then has the job of flagging this to potential visitors.

Given that the Winter Engineering Programme started so late, because the funding was only available in March, the possibility of flying at RAF Waddington - still not guaranteed - would represent a remarkable achievement by the engineering team and our suppliers alike. We will make an announcement about XH558’s participation at Waddington during the week commencing Monday 21st June.

Make no mistake – XH558 will not fly until all the work has been completed to ensure we can operate to 100% serviceability – safety will always be our core objective.

As ever, we continue to do everything possible to bring dates forward, but there can be no short-cuts to returning XH558 to flight safely.

Kind Regards,
Robert Pleming
Vulcan To The Sky Trust.

Do I read it right...

Is he saying that there will be NO notification of where she's due to display via the TVST. So if a venue decides for whatever reason not to publicise her appearance we won't know she's due to appear?

[Xplumberlives]

The NEW STEALTH Vulcan MAY be appearing at a display near you, but you won't know till after the event!!

[Nickolas]

this weeks update is in .Good to see the openness continues I did wonder a few days ago why there was no displays noted on th ewebsite now I know And understand I think.

The Vulcan to the Sky Trust “extended team” continue to work flat-out to complete the tasks needed to return XH558 to the 2010 air display season.

We have suffered a number of minor but unexpected delays, for example, on component deliveries. However work has progressed well on the two Fatigue Life Extension modifications: the Front Spar modification is complete; the Landing Light Aperture modification will be completed very soon.

We are very aware that people would like more news on when and where XH558 will be flying this year. Air show organisers have asked us (and sometimes demanded) that we do not publicise a schedule on our web site, as it causes them so many problems. We have reluctantly adopted a policy that we will inform individual shows of potential “no shows” as soon as we are aware, and their own publicity then has the job of flagging this to potential visitors.

Given that the Winter Engineering Programme started so late, because the funding was only available in March, the possibility of flying at RAF Waddington - still not guaranteed - would represent a remarkable achievement by the engineering team and our suppliers alike. We will make an announcement about XH558’s participation at Waddington during the week commencing Monday 21st June.

Make no mistake – XH558 will not fly until all the work has been completed to ensure we can operate to 100% serviceability – safety will always be our core objective.

As ever, we continue to do everything possible to bring dates forward, but there can be no short-cuts to returning XH558 to flight safely.

Kind Regards,
Robert Pleming
Vulcan To The Sky Trust.

Do I read it right...

Is he saying that there will be NO notification of where she's due to display via the TVST. So if a venue decides for whatever reason not to publicise her appearance we won't know she's due to appear?

No I think it's mean't to read that they won't speculate on an appearance at this stage as they don't want a repeat of the Waddo debacle of last year. (eggs in one basket etc).

[Mayfly]

ah that would make more sense - thanks Nick

[Hungry Haggis]

My interpritation of the statement is They have been ,asked/requested/required/told,that the airshow orginiser will put on their site if 558 has been included in their program .maybe to save double confusion if she doesn't arrive or if there get of the ground for some reason weather or technical.They will announce whichever comes first .Maybe people looked on The TVOC site to find out where and when and then rang individual shows ,Which I have to admit would get more than a little annoying for their organising office if they were repeatedly answering the same question to a lot of people in relation to just one aircraft.

[Mackrick]

A few photos taken so far this week .....






Out of Jaffa Cakes !!!!!
Now where have they hidden them ?