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Grounding the Vulcan

Petition to keep the last Vulcan bomber flying, click here.
  • I have to say that I agree with Ray's comments. I was an engineer officer on a Vulcan squadron (number 35 Sqn) during my RAF career. Keeping the fleet flying was a challenge even in the 1980's when we had all the engineering resources of the RAF and BAe, Rolls Royce etc behind us. The Vulcan is a magnificent testament to British aircraft design and engineering but it was never designed for service life much more than 10 to 15 years. When it was in service, it was used for a role, low level flying, that it was never designed for and that caused enormous fatigue damage on the airframe. Managing the airframe fatigue consumption of my fleet of 11 airframes probably occupied 25% of my time on the squadron - it was a major issue.



    Now, the airframe is life expired, many of the components, including engines, undercarriages, powered flying control units, fuel system etc must be getting near the end of their lives. The skills and facitities for overhauling many of the lifed components on the aircraft simply don't exist any more. I am deeply saddened that the old bird won't be seen in the air any more because I have a personal connection with the type (but not with XH558, which was a Waddington aircraft, while I was at Scampton). My heart says I want to see her flying again but the engineer in me says that, without the specialist technical support needed to keep the aircraft airworthy (and safe), it's just not viable.



    It is a fact that it is easier to keep WW2 aircraft like the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster flying than it is to keep more complex aircraft like the Vulcan in the air. I also worked on Victors and I would love to see one of those in the air but that's not likely to happen either.



    Alan S
  • Very interesting posts. Time for the old girl to put her feet up and have a rest.
  • Channel 4, Sunday 29th November, 7:30pm.
  • Thanks for the info Alex. I shall certainly watch the programme.



    Alan
  • If a 3D printer can built a jet engine, it can build spares etc !?

    If enough money is raised then other parts could be made?
  • I think the suggestion was that the whole airframe is life expired. Maybe we should build a new one along the lines of the Tornado steam engine?
  • It would be great if designers and engineers could get together and build one like the steam engine.

    I myself wouldnt have much time as I work away, and only get home weekends to see my family sad

    Im sure other engineers/designers/suppliers/sponsers who have less commitments would have the time to spend on such a project.

  • Concorde? Sounds very ambitious. Would be great to see it fly again. Of course they weren't worn out like the old Vulcan.