How Yorkshire's Vulcan bomber could help inspire the next generation of engineers

CBE+, a specialist precision engineering firm, has joined forces with a Sheffield charity to engage with local schools who will work on projects to renovate some of the components of The Spirit of Great Britain.

Volunteers and enthusiasts are hoping to raise £4m to build a visitor centre around the RAF’s delta-winged aircraft – officially XH558 – to preserve its legacy as the last of the Vulcans in military service and the last to have been airworthy.

The charity behind the initiative is the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, which in 2007 gave the plane a new, eight-year lease of life at public events and air displays. It is unlikely ever to fly again but since its retirement the organisation has maintained it in taxiable condition at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

It announced earlier this year that it is negotiating a mortgage of up to £2.4m towards the cost of a new hangar. A public fundraising campaign, corporate donations and sponsorship will aim to raise the remaining £1.6m.

The permanent hangar would not only give XH558 a weatherproof home but would incorporate an education centre that would extend to the next generation of aircraft design.

CBE+ are working with the Work-Wise Foundation, a business-led charity initiative for engineering, manufacturing, technology set up to support the development of children and young people so they have the knowledge, skills, aptitude and opportunities for employment.

The firm is housing an original fuel tank used in the conversion of Vulcan to a tanker and two spare original Delta Wing Tips form the stock of parts used to maintain the aircraft, given to them for preparation, restoration and display in The Vulcan Experience.

The foundation will be working with schools to launch a competition that will see young people design the display stands to showcase the fuel tank and wing tips, with the winning design translated into reality by CBE+.

John Barber, CEO of the Work-Wise Foundation said: “This is a really exciting partnership and we are proud to be working with both CBE+ and the Vulcan to the Sky Trust to bring this project to life.

“We will be working with primary and secondary schools to give students a first-hand experience of a real engineering renovation project in a modern industrial setting.

“Students will be able to learn about and see the work to restore and bring back to practical use the Fuel Tank and Wing Tips of the iconic Avro Vulcan Bomber XH558. Seeing and hearing from a team of Vulcan Engineers (Volunteers) and current apprentices.

“There will be a number of opportunities for students to learn practical skills and learn about all the jobs involved in working in aviation and engineering and the skills that are needed.”