Cold War bomber closes in on test flights after charitable trust lands £100,000

engineers working to keep the last flying Vulcan bomber in the sky said yesterday that they were hopeful the aircraft would start its test flights next month after £100,000 was raised towards its upkeep.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Mar 2012, 06:00 BST

The Vulcan, which is based at Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport, has been desperately short of funds since the end of last summer as the charity behind it faced higher than usual maintenance costs.

The Cold War icon needed a major service for the first time in several years and, although the February target was reached, the charity warned more cash was needed to ensure the plane flies at air shows this year.

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“We are just over half way through the service, heading for test flights and crew training towards the end of April,” said technical director Andrew Edmondson.

“Our schedule is tight as the 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict is approaching rapidly and we are determined to be in the air to commemorate the remarkable Black Buck mission by Vulcan crews who helped recapture the islands. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us get this far .”

This year also marks the Vulcan’s Diamond Jubilee as it first flew in the year the Queen took to the throne.

For the aircraft to take part in the Diamond Jubilee flying season, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust must now raise £75,000 in March, the same in April and £50,000 in June.

Related topics:DoncasterQueen