On the 31st of August 2006 a piece of aviation history was made at Bruntingthorpe near Leicester, England and Checksix was there. The long talked about Vulcan XH558 return to flight project reached a milestone and XH558 was rolled out to the public. The last three months have been very difficult for all involved at Bruntingthorpe when price rises from key contractors caused a financial crisis. All the staff at the Vulcan Operating Company and the fund raising office were placed on one month’s notice of losing their jobs. A total of £1.2million was needed to save the project and if the money was not found before the end of August the existing grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund would be withdrawn, the situation looked impossible. As a last ditch attempt to save the project the fund raising team led by Felicity Irwin launched several initiatives to raise the money. Existing supporters 18,000 of them were asked to pledge money to be redeemed if the pledges and other contributions reached the £1.2million mark. Felicity herself is being sponsored to parachute jump out of an aircraft. At the same time the media were being bombarded by individuals and the Vulcan team to generate some publicity, the media have been fairly cool towards the project up to now. Even with a fantastic response from the existing supporters pledging £600,000, and the successful media drive, there was still a large shortfall.

The Vulcan team looked like failing at the very point of their finest hour. Then they received several large donations, one of £60,000, another of £10 ,000 but still they were short. Then at the 59th minute of the 11th hour Sir Jack Hayward a well known philanthropist and supporter of heritage projects donated £500,000 and the project was secured, to the first flight and beyond. So the roll out that could have marked the end of the project became a milestone in the overall project. And at 2pm on the 31st of August 2006 XH558 was rolled out of its hangar for the first time in seven years and a magnificent sight it was, emerging from the dry ice that had filled the hangar. Unfortunately, due to a change in the wind direction when the doors opened, the dry ice was blown back into the hangar. This generated a good laugh from the several thousand well wishers who attended the event. Eventually the Vulcan emerged from the mist just in time for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights Lancaster to pay its respects from one iconic bomber to another.

Air Vice-Marshall David Walker attended the ceremony and the Prince of Wales sent his “warmest wishes on meeting this significant point in the project . He had a flight in Vulcan XL392 at RAF Waddington and remembers the experience with fondness. The author of Vulcan 607 Roland White was signing his book at the event. Many of the Bruntingthorp team are in the book as they were involved in the bombing of Port Stanley airfield in the Falklands conflict. Even with these big names in attendance the day belonged without doubted to the Bruntingthorpe team and the many people who have been supporting the project for many years. The Bruntingthorpe team lined up in front of XH558 while Sir Michael Knight gave a speech of thanks and celebration to the audience. Then the barriers were removed and the supporters were allowed a close look at the aircraft and the team that brought the project to this point. The team was on hand to chat with the media and the supporters alike and it was clear to see the joy and relief on their faces now that their jobs were secure again. It was also great to see so many people who helped this project along being recognised for their efforts and persistence.

Among the folks available for a chat were the Chief Pilot Sqd Ldr David Thomas who was the last RAF Vulcan display pilot and the pilot that delivered XH558 to Bruntingthorp making him the most current Vulcan pilot in the world. Martin Withers who flew Vulcan 607 on the first “Black Buck “mission during the Falklands conflict, making him the first pilot to take the Vulcan into war. Barry Maserfield who was a crew member on the first “Black Buck” mission. Al McDicken who is a freelance test pilot and test flew Vulcans at British Aerospace and with Martin Withers will test fly XH558 next year. Wing Commander Mike Pollitt who will be one of the display team pilots. Dr Robert Pleming Project Director and Sir Michael Knight Chairman of the Trustees, VTST, Alan Rolf the project Propulsion Engineer ,Andrew Edmondson, the project Engineering Manager and many other key personnel all of whom were brimming with pride at this achievement. The media were in attendance in mass with TV crews in every corner and microphones everywhere. The project seems to be getting the exposure it always deserved but has only in the past couple of weeks received.

This is not the end of fund raising for this project but this is a major milestone for it. With money now secured to see the aircraft back to flight the first flight is planned for April 2007 dependant on the still complex logistics between the original equipment manufacturers and the Bruntingthorpe team. It is hoped that sponsorship deals will be much easier to secure once the plane is flying and making an impression at UK air shows. And don’t forget that the Bruntingthorpe team are open to invitations from Europe so if you want to see the only airworthy Avro Vulcan in the world start lobbying your air show organisers now because the booking calendar won’t stay empty for long. The Vulcan has been requested to lead a flypast over Buckingham Palace next year to mark 25 years since the Falklands conflict and it looks like she will be there after all. Once again Checksix UK would like to thank Felicity Irwin, Richard Clark and all the team at Bruntingthorpe for their efforts and for taking the time to talk to us on this historic day. We look forward to bringing even better news over the winter months as XH558 moves toward her first flight since 1993.

Will Moore Checksix UK.

Release 4.0/2008

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