Numb Murkin Question du Jour::::::::

[Dan4th]

Some of you will not be surprised at all
by the following question:

If "They" were to fill 558's fuel tanks to
capacity and gently take off and climb to
her present maximum (no pressurization)
altitude and cruise at the most efficient
airspeed in a straight line, how far would
she get before having to set down and
re-fuel? Ballpark Guesstimates are okay.....

AND I am not referring to the CAA-imposed
max altitude, rather a reasonably safe and
practical altitude for enhanced fuel consumption.
Supplemental on-board oxygen is allowed.

C'mon, you engineering types -- time to Math
It Out!

Yr Fthfl Crspdt:::::::::::::

Dan4th

[Xplumberlives]

Interesting question D4th, what is the prize you're offering for the best answer!

[Stevieboy]

The FAQ section on the VTTS site has the range at 1,800 miles in pressent configuaration and altitude restrictions as opossed to 4,000 in service.

Not looking to try and get her over your side of the water are you Danforth?

[Dan4th]

Yes, I know what it says in the FAQ section,
but I expect that's fueled for display purposes,
not tanks topped all the way up. Altitude
restriction is CAA-imposed and doesn't take
into account crew bringing along supplemental
oxygen. Top speed is limited by the current
antennae which would go flying off on their
own over about 350 knots -- but what IS her
most efficient airspeed, anyhow? A ferry flight
uses a lot less fuel than a display or a bombing
run to Moscow, after all.

What I want to know is what's Safe, Practical
and Most Efficient. What is 558's distance
capability under those circumstances?

Oh, and regarding a trip in my direction? YOU
BET! And ask ActionArt if he'd like her to pay
a visit to Canada. At some point in the next
ten years she really ought to do it. I'm just
trying to figure out the logistics/practicality
of such a mission is all.....

BUT! And this is a Really BIG BUT! (...sorry, SM)
I have to get over there and see her a few
times first.

Dan4th

[Pujgnie]

Far enough to reach Moscow... still

[Dee]

Hmmm 558 in Canada? Now that would be interesting to behold, wonder if that could ever happen?

[Vulcan Bomber]

It'd be a long way for the pilots, the auto pilot is no longer functional so they'd need alot of coffee with them as well!

[Dan4th]

Ah, but is autopilot fixable and just not
dealt with (yet) due to more pressing
functionalities???????????

And as for Canada (who STOLE my college
song for their national anthem...) I really
think 558 would create a sensation anywhere
she went!

Danf.

[Vulcan Bomber]

I think the auto pilot was a deleted system.

[Dan4th]

Is the Autopilot something that's Vulcan Specific
or something available to be added-on? If it was
deleted, then I'd guess they were only planning
for flights of up to three hours or so in duration.

My only Autopilot experience is with ones for
Sailboats, and I've overhauled one for wheel
steering and installed one for tiller steering.
Everything was very straightforward, but
we're talking devises with one servo that is
only left/right and with an internal compass...
Aircraft Autopilot would be far more complicated
I would think....

Danf.

[Mackrick]

My understanding is that alot of the deleted systems was due to the fact that there was no longer a repair / overhaul facility (No OEM) so these systems where deleted.

[Dan4th]

But Mister Mackrick:::::::

What've you got on my original question?

Very rough estimate is fine!

Danf.

[Gully]

On the autopilot question, I believe it was interlinked with the Smiths Military Flight System that was removed in its entirety as no longer supported by Smiths Industries. Guess the auto-throttle and auto-land went at the same time (if they were still there beforehand!).

Regarding the aerial-invoked speed limit, does anyone know if the mach-trimmer system is still operational? I suppose it wouldn't kick in at the current limited speeds and so wouldn't be necessary (or even testable), but could become an issue if '558 was to fly faster.

Gully

[Dan4th]

I suppose that would depend on what her most
efficient cruising speed turns out to be....

That gizmo you mentioned automatically adjusts
nose up/nose down attitude doesn't it?

Danf.

[Gully]

As I understand it, the Vulcan tends towards a nose-down attitude as it approaches Mach 1, so the Mach Trimmer was introduced to automatically trim the aircraft to maintain level flight by raising the elevons proportional to speed. I think the effect kicked in around Mach 0.8 and to ensure there was still control deflection available, maximum operational speed was set at Mach 0.93. Much beyond this, the only way the unintended dive could be exited was to reduce speed!

I guess the linked auto-stabilser controls (to stop porpoising) have also been deleted?

Gully

[Vulcan Bomber]

Good question, I have no idea on that because I get the feeling that the artificial feel is all involved with that lot and we know the artificial feel is still plugged in.

[Gully]

Good question, I have no idea on that because I get the feeling that the artificial feel is all involved with that lot and we know the artificial feel is still plugged in.

Art. feel system is separate I believe. Units in bomb bay and other more inaccessible places!

Gully

[Dan4th]

This is all very interesting.....

Yes! It Really IS!!!

BUT: What about my Original Question?

It isn't about Politics or Vulcan Visit Abroad, I am
genuinely interested in 558's potential ideal speed
and altitude, what it might take to achieve that,
and what the resulting distance figure would be.

Roughly

Danf.

[Saracenman]

Mayfly, surely the Great Man would know all this wouldn't he?

sm

[Mayfly]

I expect so - I'll ask for you - but he's busy decorating at the mo - I keep cracking the whip

[RLN]

I expect so - I'll ask for you - but he's busy decorating at the mo - I keep cracking the whip

That has nothing to do with keeping DT working though, has it?

[Mayfly]

Do you have a camera in my house

[RLN]

Don't need it.

[Dan4th]

he's busy decorating at the mo

I STILL say it's Too Early for Christmas!

Ten Weeks, Yet!!!!!!

Danf.

[Xplumberlives]

But what if XH558 was to carry a PANIER?