XM607 at RAF Waddington

[Minty4371]

Just read on Facebook that on Friday (25th May), the hatch on XM607 was sealed shut for the final time. The cockpit is unsafe and, apparently, full of mould spores, due to water ingress. There is also news that she could be scrapped within 5 years .

[MOD]

Why are we not surprised.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6436


Mod (Nothing whatsoever to do with the MOD)

[Mayfly]

I'm surprised they think she has another 5 years tbh, I heard that when they first placed her on the plinth 5 years or more ago. Still the longer she's there the better.

There was a team lead a Flight Sgt we knew who used to do quite a bit of work her, but he left the service and I'm not sure what TLC she receives now.

[Sooty655]

Probably the same guy who was trying to arrange a visit for his team to XM655 some time ago. Unfortunately, nothing came of it.

[Avro683]

Mold spores can be safely dealt with but who would cover the cost?!? Shame really..

[Skudupnorth]

Of all Vulcan's, 607 should have been under cover many years ago just for her historical background.What a shame if she is scrapped

[Exceptionalsleeper]

I'm surprised they think she has another 5 years tbh, I heard that when they first placed her on the plinth 5 years or more ago. Still the longer she's there the better.

There was a team lead a Flight Sgt we knew who used to do quite a bit of work her, but he left the service and I'm not sure what TLC she receives now.

Pam, I'm going to look into this when I am posted there.

[Mayfly]

good luck

[Ducati Boy]

I often wonder why there is no 607 supporters Group? End of the day she is a one and only. Seems a shame no group has offered to look after her, one thing for sure the RAF never has and never will, so unless someone steps up to the mark shes a goner. Had a lot of bits out of her for 558.

[Minty4371]

This was on the XM607 & Black Buck Raids Facebook page.
Andy 'Monty' Burden
It's nice to see a group like this, I am lucky enough to be the " owner " of 607 for the RAF and as Rob Bassett says keep your eyes on the old girl as we have a surprise coming but I won't say anymore. Rob will be putting some pics on that I took last year whilst carrying out a structural survey, the flight deck is empty apart from seats, most being donated to 558 in the past. The access door isn't sealed however it's just stuck closed after someone trying to gain access without the knowledge of how to open it and managed to damage the door operating mechanism. We are currently de-skinning the door to try gain access to the mechanism and yes she still has her engines fitted.
I will keep my eye on the Facebook page and see what happens.

[Ducati Boy]

[Sooty655]

[Mayfly]

This was on the XM607 & Black Buck Raids Facebook page.
Andy 'Monty' Burden
It's nice to see a group like this, I am lucky enough to be the " owner " of 607 for the RAF and as Rob Bassett says keep your eyes on the old girl as we have a surprise coming but I won't say anymore. Rob will be putting some pics on that I took last year whilst carrying out a structural survey, the flight deck is empty apart from seats, most being donated to 558 in the past. The access door isn't sealed however it's just stuck closed after someone trying to gain access without the knowledge of how to open it and managed to damage the door operating mechanism. We are currently de-skinning the door to try gain access to the mechanism and yes she still has her engines fitted.
I will keep my eye on the Facebook page and see what happens.

Minty what was the date that was posted?

[Minty4371]

This was on the XM607 & Black Buck Raids Facebook page.
Andy 'Monty' Burden
It's nice to see a group like this, I am lucky enough to be the " owner " of 607 for the RAF and as Rob Bassett says keep your eyes on the old girl as we have a surprise coming but I won't say anymore. Rob will be putting some pics on that I took last year whilst carrying out a structural survey, the flight deck is empty apart from seats, most being donated to 558 in the past. The access door isn't sealed however it's just stuck closed after someone trying to gain access without the knowledge of how to open it and managed to damage the door operating mechanism. We are currently de-skinning the door to try gain access to the mechanism and yes she still has her engines fitted.
I will keep my eye on the Facebook page and see what happens.

Minty what was the date that was posted?

Pam. The post was put on Facebook on Thursday 31st May at 19:32.

[Mayfly]

Thanks Minty.

[Old Rigger]

The guys at Waddington where I work try to keep her clean for the airshow each year and painted her a couple of years ago, and corrected the bomb symbols. We also did a survey and tried to approach various people to get some new bits including a lock from a colleague of mine who worked on the 558 for a long time at the beginning and they had several spare ones, but another person stopped it going ahead. We tried to locate said persons to allow us to remove the wire mesh and get inside the cockpit as well, again we were told he had left and nobody knew who to go to. But now we have some names that I know I will try and see if they want some help from our guys.

[Mayfly]

It would be good to see some new impetus put into her...

[Xplumberlives]

The guys at Waddington where I work try to keep her clean for the airshow each year and painted her a couple of years ago, and corrected the bomb symbols. We also did a survey and tried to approach various people to get some new bits including a lock from a colleague of mine who worked on the 558 for a long time at the beginning and they had several spare ones, but another person stopped it going ahead. We tried to locate said persons to allow us to remove the wire mesh and get inside the cockpit as well, again we were told he had left and nobody knew who to go to. But now we have some names that I know I will try and see if they want some help from our guys.

Good on you mate!

[Avro683]

This sounds promising.. Hopefully she can get some tlc. It would be nice if the cockpit could be aired out regularly..

[MOD]

I contacted 'Monty' via Facebook and he had this to say ...

'Ian we have a small dedicated team all members of 8 Sqn Eng but our main task is operating and fixing Awacs and only get to work 607 when we have free time. So no there isnt an official team as such, it would be nice to have a team only for 607. As for a new paint job, who knows, as we are testing out the water with a few ideas and projects at the moment but with defence cuts etc money for front line units is scarce so gate guardians never mind how iconic are at the bottom of the list it seems'.

So nothing definite but something is in the offing..

ibw

[Richw_82]

It seems fitting that 8 Sqn are looking after a big Avro.

I'm glad that XM607 is getting some tlc, I was rather annoyed that her fate didn't get a mention in the book about the raid.

[Crew chief]

We at MaPS did a raid on 607 in the late 90s and got lots of bits but i do recall her being fitted with two bomb bay fuel tanks because it was a real pain getting in and out the bomb bay with an 8000lb tank in the way.

cc.