On August 30 1952, the Avro prototype 698 flew for the first time from Woodford aerodrome.
Sixty years later, the last flying example of that plane, which was later named the Vulcan, will celebrate its Diamond anniversary with air displays at the Bournemouth Air Festival and Shoreham Airshow this weekend.
Now a famous example of British engineering heritage, the Vulcan was designed to carry Britain’s new nuclear deterrent, codenamed “Blue Danube”.
Its vast size and large delta wing ensure it is perfectly distinctive today, let alone in 1952, when some thought they’d seen an alien spaceship.
It was, indeed, the first large delta wing aircraft (leading directly to Concorde), and featured innovations such as electrically-operated flying controls and an early version of ABS braking.
Compared with its Avro Lancaster predecessor, which had first flown just 11 years before the Vulcan prototype climbed into the sky, its speed and agility were astonishing.
The plane only entered combat once, and not in its nuclear capacity, when it flew 8,000 miles to Port Stanley Airport on the Falkland Islands in 1982, dropping bombs that prevented Argentina operating its own Mirage III fighters.
Two years later the Vulcans were withdrawn from service and today only one, XH558, still flies.
The plane in question is owned by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, which returned XH558 to the air in 2007. Since then the charity has managed to display the Vulcan at numerous airshows.
“People forget that airshows attract seven million people annually. As a spectator activity, that’s second only to football,” says Dr Robert Pleming, the charity’s chief executive. ”
An appearance by the Vulcan builds even on this remarkable level, typically increasing attendance by 20-40 percent. Airshow organisers talk about ‘the Vulcan Effect’ and have described the aircraft as a national treasure.”
The latest of these airshows will take place this weekend (September 1-2) ahead of a Jubilee Tour in September that will visit locations key to the Vulcan’s development.
Just like on its Falklands bombing raid in 1982 the plane will be flown by Squadron Leader Martin Withers DFC. “This is one of the only UK shows where the aircraft display over the sea, giving us more opportunities to put on a really dramatic show,” he says of the Bournemouth Air Festival. “The Vulcan is a delight to fly; a fine example of British achievement at its best.”
As a registered charity the Vulcan to the Sky Trust welcomes donations. People can contribute towards the cost of fuel for the plane’s Jubilee Tour by donating £3 or £5 via text. To donate £3 text TOUR123 or to donate £5 test TOUR125 to 70070.
For more information visit the Vulcan to the Sky Trust website.
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