XM 603

[Ray C]

Hi all ,
I'm new to this forum, however, i bring you good news regarding XM 603, she is to be saved and exhibited next to the new Avro Heritage cent at Woodford.
regards Ray,
PS glad she's not going to make beer cans !

[Xplumberlives]

Welcome Ray and thanks for the good news!

Nip over to the New Members section and introduce yourself.

[Dan4th]

Welcome, Ray, and thanks for the Good News!

Beer should be bottled or kegged, anyhow.......

Cans are Unnatural, IMHO

Will she be indoors? (I hope...)

Danf.

[Mayfly]

That's interesting Ray because everything that was said about 603 over the last few years has not been good news. I see on another fora you said that a structural survey conveyed she was in good nick. Do you believe that info to be reliable?

[Gaz]

Let's hope so!!

[MOD]

This is great news Ray, if it happens.

[Cocker]

This is great news Ray, if it happens.

Ditto

[Crew chief]

The last time i saw 603 (which was a couple of years ago) she looked rough then.


cc.

[Sooty655]

The last time i saw 603 (which was a couple of years ago) she looked rough then.


cc.

....and since CC saw her, some elevon trailing edge structures have corroded so badly they have had to be broken off to prevent them blowing off.

[Flat cap]

I could see the cockpit being displayed but not the rest of it. Isn't there something up with the nose gear as well?

[Ducati Boy]

Nice to see efforts to save 603.

We (TVOC) did an internal survey of the wing spar a couple of years ago with Marshall Aerospace as part of deciding what work had to be done on XH558. Drilled loads of holes along the spar line and inspected and photographed with an Olympus borescope. I imagine those photos may be available from TVOC to whoever is doing the overall survey. I think she was good in the spar area.
When I saw her on that occasion she was pretty bad externally and a lot of work is needed to bring her back to safe static display standard. All the landing gear was in need of maintenance and re-charging to bring her to normal height and corrosion was evident everywhere. Control surfaces being mag alloy were in very poor condition, but they could be re-skinned in ordinary aluminium to save cost as could any other mag alloy areas.

There is a mountain of work to do if she is to be saved from the scrapman for the long term and of course unless she gets indoors that is unlikely to get done effectively.

However, now she is out of the BAe environment, access to her will be more easily available and a volunteer organisation could be formed to undertake her restoration and preservation. Good luck and best wishes to anyone who takes on that challenge.

[Kermit]

But will she survive being moved ? Or will some essential repairs have to be undertaken first, and if so, who will do those ??

[Ducati Boy]

But will she survive being moved ? Or will some essential repairs have to be undertaken first, and if so, who will do those ??

Needs a proper assessment by a dedicated experienced group with Vulcan knowledge to make her safe to move, or a specialist company. I wish her luck.

[Ray C]

Firstly new years greetings to you all,
I have read the comments posted since my introduction/announcement re 603. The reply I got from
The Avro Heritage Cent was brief but quite clear, a recent inspection found her structure to be good,
She is to be cleaned & located on display (I suspect outside near the new heritage cent) I have offered
any help if they require it (physical not financial) fingers crossed they will take up my offer.

Also I have e:mailed the new Woodward site owners JCB for their view on 603, no reply yet, let's face it thev'e got the
Machines to move it to a new position, it would be great PR for them the caption could read "we can move anything"
sorry I'm going off on one !

I intend to make a visit to Woodford soon in an effort to establish more detailed news, if any of you can provide
advise or contact names please advise, let's not let the world financial "meltdown" be an excuse for this great plane
not to survive. you all sound very knowledgeable regarding aircraft & not "Bull*****ers".
Ray.

[Xplumberlives]

Good luck with the project Ray, I really hope you can get involved!

[Sooty655]

Hi all,
If you visit the Avro Heritage web site the chairman has written his 2011 report.
It looks pretty good for the centre and XM603.

Ray.

[Dan4th]

I'd just like to say I don't think
it wise to leave poor old XM603
outdoors to be ravaged by the
elements.....

Even if she IS spruced-up!

Danf.

[Xplumberlives]

Thanks for the good news Ray

[Mayfly]

Gosh that white text on the black has played havoc with my sight..

I really hope 603 is good enough to with stand whatever is needed to achieve their aims.

[Sooty655]

old news deleted!

[Gaz]

I arranged a tour for a few members of the VTTS club, a few years ago. It was well worth the trip then. Looking forward to seeing the new premises, sounds very interesting!

[Ray C]

Yep it's Ray again ! I intend to visit the Avro heritage centre (Woodford) in the near future, & fingers crossed get a closer look @ XM603.
During a recent conversation with a centre organiser I discussed the re siting of 603, and suggested removing the engines, after all she's not going to fly again! and one of the engines could be exhibited in the new Museum "awesome"
the other engines could be stored for the time being, not only that it must reduce the weight by 25% making her move easier. seems there is no equipment to remove them! surely JCB the new site owners could help ?
PS the crew must have needed a least a leak during their extended flights, did they have a catheta fitted or open the
lower hatch ? Ray.

[Vulcan Bomber]

603 only has 2 engines fitted..... the guys that look after 655 had 2 away not that long ago.

The crew had a pee tube, see the chap on the left: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/285 ... b25af0.jpg

[Bovril]

http://xm655.com/news.php?id=23

[Ray C]

Thanks for the Info, looks like the "Pee Tube" provided for all shapes and sizes ! What about the two other engines are they still in her ?