SOUTHPORT AIRSHOW 2015: VULCAN

Over the years I've put several of my photos of the magnificent Vulcan XH558 on the blog, but, as it's displaying days are coming to an end, I feel a tinge of sadness knowing that  these will be the last I'll take of this iconic aircraft  actually airborne.

 The Spirit of Great Britain

The bomb bay doors open.

Landing wheels being raised

 A last look at XH558  with Southport Pier in the foreground

A TRAILER FOR SOUTHPORT AIR SHOW

I've taken quite a few photos at this years Southport Airshow, and I'll be putting them up soon. But I just couldn't resist giving you folks a quick look at a couple of photos I took yesterday of the mighty Vulcan flanked by The Red Arrows.   Sadly, its a sight we'll almost certainly never see again, as this year is the swan song for The Vulcan XH558, before she is permanently grounded and put on display at the proposed Vulcan Aviation Academy and Heritage Centre at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

VULCAN OVER KNARESBOROUGH

Yesterday I saw the Avro Vulcan bomber fly over the rail viaduct in Knaresborough, Yorkshire.

I was enjoying a cream tea at Marigold's riverside cafe by the Nidd with Missus Moonbase. The Vulcan flew deliberately slowly over this iconic setting much to everyone's amazement. It was fabulous!

I assume that the Pilots were en route from their home in Doncaster in South Yorkshire to the Southport Air Show on the Lancashire coast and Scoop's home town.  They just stopped by in North Yorkshire for tea!

Alas I didn't have a camera with me and my phone is still virtually a cup with string so no photos I'm afraid. Here's a nice one of the beautiful setting from artinthemill.

BLACKPOOL AIR SHOW 2015: VULCAN XH558

One of the main reasons I wanted to go to the Blackpool air show this year was the announcement that the XH558  Avro Vulcan would be doing a display.  This is the last year that this fabulous aircraft  will be flying, as major engineering backers have withdrawn support.

Charity Vulcan to the Sky Trust, which runs the aircraft have said the plane was now 10% beyond it's flying hours, and although it's as safe as any aircraft flying today, looking for any possible future failure is becoming more difficult.

XH 558 originally arrived at RAF Waddington in 1960, and was the last Vulcan to leave RAF service, It's currently based at Robin Hood Airport in South Yorkshire. 

It was named 'The Spirit of Great Britain' in  2010

It was due to retire at the end of the 2013 season, but this decision was reversed following a feasibility study.

I should have the chance to take one last look at the flying XH558 as it's due to appear at my local Southport Air Show in September, but considering bad weather meant the Vulcan failed to appear on the Saturday last year, I wasn't taking any chances this year, hence Blackpool.

"If you don't see her this season, there will be no more opportunities to hear a Vulcan's spine - tingling howl as she climbs high into the sky..."

Dr Robert Pleming - Vulcan to the Sky Trust