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For anyone who knows what an Avro Vulcan Bomber is, or is a member (as we are) of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust that keeps the last one XH558 flying then the incident this week at Robin Hood Airport (once called RAF Finningley) was a bit of a major and very expensive oops!

It seems that something went wrong with the pre-flight/startup checks and a large bag of desiccant placed in the No1 engine air intake was overlooked by the ground and air crews.

This was the unfortunate and expensive result costing the Trust two of its last four remaining spare serviceable engines. Fortunately no one was injured. She will fly again, but not for a few weeks and I fear her career will end earlier than the Trust's loyal members hoped for.

A real shame........

Bugger. That's a very costly mistake. As you say, glad that no one hurt and in one piece.
It's a huge shame though, they've put so much effort into this over the years.
Will be a very sad day when they stop flying this beauty.

Just seen XH558 departing Old Warden for Duxford on one of her last flights.  I thought for a moment the crew were going to stick two fingers at the CAA and do a barrel roll.  She was well past 90° as she transited out to the East.

Shame to see her flying career coming to an end.  Plenty of life in the airframe, but sadly the main support agencies have decided to pull out so this is her final couple of weeks in the air.

Well done and thanks to all who got her airworthy again and kept her going. 

[quote="X5Sport"]
Just seen XH558 departing Old Warden for Duxford on one of her last flights.  I thought for a moment the crew were going to stick two fingers at the CAA and do a barrel roll.  She was well past 90° as she transited out to the East.

Shame to see her flying career coming to an end.  Plenty of life in the airframe, but sadly the main support agencies have decided to pull out so this is her final couple of weeks in the air.

Well done and thanks to all who got her airworthy again and kept her going. 
[/quote]

Yes, well done to all those who have worked so hard to keep her flying as long as they have and also to those like yourself who have supported the cause.

at least you got to see one of those last flights.

Don

Final flight route will be announced on the Vulcan to the Sky site on Tuesday - for those interested of course.

Fortunate enough to have seen (& very much heard) one fly before.

I suspect words were had re the oversight mentioned.