V-bomber beaten by weather

ENGINEERS who have battled against the odds to keep the last flying Vulcan in the sky came up against an almost insurmountable foe ahead of a critical test flight yesterday – the weather.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Apr 2012, 07:00 BST

Civil aviation regulations prevented the prized aircraft, XH558, from taking off in poor visibility so it remained on the ground until early evening.

Technical staff at the Vulcan to the Sky Trust celebrated when it finally became airborne at Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport before being put through rigorous tests and a crew change.

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The tests are needed for the renewal of its Permit to Fly, allowing the Vulcan to take part in a busy Jubilee season of events, starting with a flypast for the dedication of the new Falklands Memorial on May 20th involving three of the original Black Buck crew whose mission helped recapture the islands.

Vulcan to the Sky Trust member Richard Gotch said last night: “It was a bit of a long wait and everybody was a bit anxious, waiting for the weather to break. We won’t know for certain until after the debrief, but we think it all went really well. There was much relief all round.”

Picture: Chris Lawton.

Related topics:Doncaster