Latest Quest for Funds

[Bubbles]

If there is little transparency then how do you know they squander money? I take it you're talking about the engine issue when you mention mindless vandalism? Sounds like you're saying it was a deliberate act.

[Vulcan Bomber]

Without sounding controversial - oh God, here we go! I sincerely apologise in advance for my inability to contain my "VTTS tourettes syndrome"!

I want to see the VTTS become more transparent in the way it SQUANDERS, sorry; I mean spends its funding. Least this way, I would like to think the public would be more inclined to donate more. Afterall, it is the general public whom have or do fund the majority of the project on a yearly basis. Perhaps an audit of their accounts would highlight where the BLACK HOLE lay, I mean the increased expenditure lay?

The Vulcan does indeed give pleasure to all but that day will come when she can not fly anymore either due to airframe/propulsion fatigue or an act of MINDLESS VANDALISM, sorry again; I mean human factors incident.

I agree with fellow people on here, they should be focusing on life after flying rather than wringing another year out her.

I think you should spend your life growing up and getting a grip not putting a dampener on what the vulcan guys and girls have acheaved these last few years.

[Exceptionalsleeper]

If there is little transparency then how do you know they squander money? I take it you're talking about the engine issue when you mention mindless vandalism? Sounds like you're saying it was a deliberate act.

Sorry guys if I am covering old ground here.

I seen first hand how they squander money. Mindless vandalism - I could go into more detail about having unqualified so called "engineers" working on the Vulcan but I shall refrain at this time.

Being a qualified Aircraft Technician (Mechanical) SNCO of Her Majesty's Royal Air Force, I think I am very well placed to comment. Again, I have seen first hand some of the short cuts in servicing and for one particular example: I had a VTTS Electrician Technician tell me - an airframe structures specialist that 14 out of 40 rivets that were loose (forming no function whatsoever) on a strengthening rib on the STRESSED engine door nacelles was okay? I even said I would complete the work myself - a rather simple task but no. That really set my quality assurance alarm going. So, it came as no surprise when a large silica-set bag was mindlessly left in the air intake. Why wasn't it tagged out from toolstore? It should have at least had a Remove Before Flight flag? Why wasn't it documented in the Topic 5B2 Flight Servicing Schedule or EGR procedure to be removed prior to engine start? If it was documented or tagged etc, who signed the servicing off improperly? It was very much forgotten and covered up - like many things VTTS.

I'm not here to blast off at the VTTS or anyone inparticular - I am well passed that, I really couldn't careless but when some blinkered individual questions my integrity you're going to get it full bore I am afraid.

Keep smiling - it makes me happy!

I think you should spend your life growing up and getting a grip not putting a dampener on what the vulcan guys and girls have acheaved these last few years.

I'm not putting a dampener on what any of the engineers have achieved - I am very matter-of-fact. My father & I were pretty much part of that success you mentioned during 2010. Richard Clarke said at Fairford this year that had the 24hr Vulcan Scramble not have taken place in 2010 we wouldn't be here now. Secondly, I dedicated a massive amount of time during the 2010 Winter Servicing to help the guys out.

I don't just come on this forum to rant all sorts of bull, I have shared my experiences and opinions first hand with you all - you choose whether to listen. Should you to think I am putting a dampener on things then that is your prerogative but it isn't the case.

I respect the engineers totally for the work they have carried out in the past and hopefully the future. Their management or lack off is where my respect finishes.

[Bubbles]

Mindless vandalism implies it was deliberate, you've just had a pop at them for shortcuts etc yet say you have respect for the engineers and unless I'm very much mistaken it's the engineers that do the work not the management.

Oh and I'm no blinkered individual and I didn't question your integrity.

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Mindless vandalism implies it was deliberate, you've just had a pop at them for shortcuts etc yet say you have respect for the engineers and unless I'm very much mistaken it's the engineers that do the work not the management.

Oh and I'm no blinkered individual and I didn't question your integrity.

The shortcuts maybe for an unexplainable reason, the management have the final say afterall, although if it isn't right it should be addressed nevertheless. Anyhow, I only respect the engineers to the point that they are the backbone of the VTTS. They get messed around and it is them who will be given their P45 first should the VTTS collapse. I guess, they carry on with that being a known fact.

Sorry, being a techie, that was one stupid mistake to make and the outcome even worse! Those types of errors are infrequent these days in the RAF, even under stressful "operational" conditions. Still, it happened and we heard no more.

[Bubbles]

Happened at Waddington shortly after and did I ever tell you about the plastic bag I got out of a VC-10 fuel pipe?

You've not been involved with VTTS for a couple of years now and back then your involvement was fairly brief yet you feel qualified to make these accusations?

[Gaz]

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Happened at Waddington shortly after and did I ever tell you about the plastic bag I got out of a VC-10 fuel pipe?

You've not been involved with VTTS for a couple of years now and back then your involvement was fairly brief yet you feel qualified to make these accusations?

It was brief indeed but in that brief time I saw enough, enough for me to walk away. I am not making any accusations towards anyone or at anything. Accidents do happen - it is much better nowadays and there are subsequent investigations as a result, the system failed somewhere. Amendments are made to working practices and procedures, but looking at the bigger picture the outcome was far more damaging - a loss of 1 out of 6 engines. It goes back to the transparency thing and being 100% honest with the public who fund. What was the outcome of any investigation? I am not after a witch hunt by any stretch but to be happy that that particular incident has been addressed to prevent complacency. It also caused a loss of revenue at Waddington. Not everyone has an aircraft background nor follows the Vulcan closely. All they see is that it wasn't at Waddington again - people do loose faith and ultimately it is those who suffer.

With regards to the rivet issue, I feel with my background in airframe structures and repair designs, I am adequately qualified to comment.

I am happy for you to reply via PM if you have further issues.

[Bubbles]

You've accused the trust of squandering funds, you've accused the engineers of shortcuts etc and now you say you're not accusing anyone of anything? Bit of a contradiction there me thinks. You've also not been involved with VTTS for a few years now so again you don't really know what's going on within the set up anymore than anyone else do you. I think it's time to let it go and move on

[Exceptionalsleeper]

You've accused the trust of squandering funds, you've accused the engineers of shortcuts etc and now you say you're not accusing anyone of anything? Bit of a contradiction there me thinks. You've also not been involved with VTTS for a few years now so again you don't really know what's going on within the set up anymore than anyone else do you. I think it's time to let it go and move on

We all know nothing has changed because it is the same story every year - Team Vulcan with their cap in hand!

It is a real shame because I couldn't do enough for the VTTS at one point. Thankfully though severing my ties to them didn't come soon enough. Yes, I agree I shall move on.

[Dlwbrunty]

I ve kept off this and every other fora (Mods pulled last post on vtts) for good reasons, this summer I ve had to deal with very serious domestic issues including my mothers health, also my own I have had to make decisionshow I spend my limited spare funds.
Given that I have spent many hours raising money for 558 I decided that enough is enough.
I am a hands on person and gain pleasure from doing things that relate to something happening now.
I am not a beggar.

Spending my money to travel to venues and/or in front of a computer as a means of funding salaries & sundry expenses for the chosen few before the aircraft's "welfare" is decided has become an anathema.
My free time is now spent at motor race meetings locally, Cost to me minimal; job satisfaction immense. I have returned to marshalling, can be hard work but unlike the airshows etc, at least I am appreciated, not treated like, (my metaphor) a cuckold.
The sad facts of life are that the Trust and the Club are running out of places to gain revenue. It seems that they have lost direction, if they ever had any.

I have emblazoned upon my fireproofs a 558 badge; It raises many a talking point, until money is mentioned: there is plenty in motorsport land. There hangs another tale.....
My Bit said. I will never forget my experiences during restoration,first flight,and beyond I ve made alot of friends over the years. Sadly we must go forward.
Comments welcome, a few pennies in the coffers to at least keep the engineers paid please.

[Bubbles]

The club has never had more direction than it has now, I've just spent the summer running around the country for the club and it's more organised and better run than its ever been.

[Sploosher]

just had a quick look at last years figures from the charity commision and see that wages alone was £540,286 and Dr P got between £60-70k.

[Dan4th]

Can someone please remind me of what
it is Dr. Plemming does, actually?

And what about A. Edmundson.....

What is his cut of the proceeds????

Of course, there is always the possibility
I'm being unfair.....

Danf.

[Exceptionalsleeper]

just had a quick look at last years figures from the charity commision and see that wages alone was £540,286 and Dr P got between £60-70k.

I don't believe the management were using the Vulcan Project like a proverbial cash cow!!!

[Dougs]

What you have to realise is the engineers and managers cant doit for free i dont like the idea of half a mil going on wages but thats only 16 ish people at 30k not high wages for skilled aircraft techs at the end of the day we have had a flying vulcan and that is not easy to achieve or keep

[Bubbles]

just had a quick look at last years figures from the charity commision and see that wages alone was £540,286 and Dr P got between £60-70k.

I don't believe the management were using the Vulcan Project like a proverbial cash cow!!!

I take it you're privy to their salary details then?

I'm no fan of Doc Bobs but it's worth noting that his wage is quite a bit less than he'd be getting in a similar position elsewhere, also people tend to forget just how much time and effort he put in at his own expense which trust me was a hell of a lot more than you did. Seriously mate it's it's a shame you didn't get the job etc but let it go.

[Hungry Haggis]

just had a quick look at last years figures from the charity commision and see that wages alone was £540,286 and Dr P got between £60-70k.

I don't believe the management were using the Vulcan Project like a proverbial cash cow!!!

I take it you're privy to their salary details then?

I'm no fan of Doc Bobs but it's worth noting that his wage is quite a bit less than he'd be getting in a similar position elsewhere, also people tend to forget just how much time and effort he put in at his own expense which trust me was a hell of a lot more than you did. Seriously mate it's it's a shame you didn't get the job etc but let it go.

Have to share to last words here This moan is repeated way to often .Enjoy her last flights as it is now official she finishes at the end of 2013 as here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-so ... e-19926464 .I have to say the engineers etc have all worked dam hard to keep her going to now .I dare say if they had the spare engines the MOD would have been viable but with doubts like that it is better to end than struggle on to the point where there could be a serious accident .My hope is that wherever she ends up she remains in a runnable condition for some time to come.

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Seriously mate it's it's a shame you didn't get the job etc but let it go.

What job is this I didn't get? I already have a job, I been rectifying modern technology in the Royal Air Force helping secure the nation for the last 15 years.

I let it go along time ago but I like to have fun with you all. It gets a response Bubbles, banter is the Air Force way old boy.

[Bubbles]

Oh you're funny, I'm well aware of airforce banter and sorry mate but you're not very good at it. You're currently coming across as a bitter chap who's still smarting 'cos he wasn't allowed to play with the big aeroplane

[Jigsaw]

Getting a little bit childish now.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
Some are more valid than others and some take things too personally.

[Mayfly]

BORING

Edit You beat me to it Jiggy

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Oh you're funny, I'm well aware of airforce banter and sorry mate but you're not very good at it. You're currently coming across as a bitter chap who's still smarting 'cos he wasn't allowed to play with the big aeroplane

I'm not bitter nor smarting old chum, I am passed those days. Besides, I had plenty of time working on XH558 during the 09/10 winter servicing, even taking part in an onboard EGR - not everybody can say they have done that.

I was just very unhappy and disillusioned at the dis-respect shown by the Trust not only at myself but more so at my father for all that we did for them during the 24 hr Scramble and subsequent donations my father gave.

I am entitled to an opinion. All I have ever done is be truthful in sharing my experiences of life in the VTTS. If this came across has mocking, slating or slagging any particular person off then that is unfortunate.

[Sploosher]

Seriously mate it's it's a shame you didn't get the job etc but let it go.

What job is this I didn't get? I already have a job, I been rectifying modern technology in the Royal Air Force helping secure the nation for the last 15 years.

I let it go along time ago but I like to have fun with you all. It gets a response Bubbles, banter is the Air Force way old boy.

I think he may be referring to the fact that my wife and I did not get a job at the shop in the viewing lounge at RHA that we were prepared to move closer for and run for a combined wage of £16k........you know the one, the one that was meant to have been there 40+hours a week, as well as the shop in the hanger, but as far as I know, the shop (that was meant to be run by a pro manager and staffed by over 200 local volunteers)in the viewing area never happended.

I am over that now anyway.........

and speaking of disrespect, while I was spending 3 days at RHA last year polishing his `project`, I spoke to Dr Bob saying `good morning`in the reception and he looked at me and totally ingored me .......how rude was that

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Seriously mate it's it's a shame you didn't get the job etc but let it go.

What job is this I didn't get? I already have a job, I been rectifying modern technology in the Royal Air Force helping secure the nation for the last 15 years.

I let it go along time ago but I like to have fun with you all. It gets a response Bubbles, banter is the Air Force way old boy.

I think he may be referring to the fact that my wife and I did not get a job at the shop in the viewing lounge at RHA that we were prepared to move closer for and run for a combined wage of £16k........you know the one, the one that was meant to have been there 40+hours a week, as well as the shop in the hanger, but as far as I know, the shop (that was meant to be run by a pro manager and staffed by over 200 local volunteers)in the viewing area never happended.

I am over that now anyway.........

and speaking of disrespect, while I was spending 3 days at RHA last year polishing his `project`, I spoke to Dr Bob saying `good morning`in the reception and he looked at me and totally ingored me .......how rude was that

I am sorry for hearing about your experiences but unfortunately they are familiar story.

It doesn't take a great deal to at least reply and yes, very ignorant indeed.