3 years ago since 24hr Vulcan Scramble

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Hi Guys & Gals, been a long time. How are we all?

Well, the wheels were in motion some 3 years ago in preperation for the 24hr Vulcan Scramble where my Father & I - along with Taff zoomed around the our country viewing all the UK's Vulcan's in a 24 hour period. How time passes.

I don't really keep much of an interest in the VTST these days, they had their chance and blew it along with the loss of other passionationate members.

It is nice to see they've not issued a Crisis Appeal this year but rather "buy this CLR gumpf or we won't fly in 2012" erm, isn 't that a Crisis Appeal? Anyhow, I have had several moans over the years on my experience with the VTST and how they squander money and I bet it is no different.

My Father & I are pretty much ignored when we visit the tents at airshows, Richard Clarke is the only person who comes and takes a chat. Taff speaks when he can be bothered. Still, that is the VTST all over - important when they want you, just another number when they don't. Sad times.

It is nice to see that Dr. Bob still at the helm although wasn't he retiring some years ago or is he still topping up his pension from the cash cow that is the Trust.

Well, I've more important thing to think about these days, I'm in KAF in Afghanistan and dodging Taliban rockets keeps you on your toes believe me! Lol.

My regards go out to Mayfly and Xplumberlives – so hi to you guys.

I might pop is soon and take a look. Otherwise, I give my best wishes to all and have a great 2012.

Steve

[Dan4th]

Good to see you, Steve!

Keep safe over there if you can, agreed?

My best College friend's youngest son just
got back, and he's still de-compressing.....

Don't worry about 558, she has Pat and the
other hands-on guys to take care of her.

At least you did your part, just like you're
doing now.

Dan4th

[Gaz]

I don't follow the fortunes of 558, much, myself these days. Not for the same reasons as you though.

My sole reason for donating as much as I did, when I did, was because I'd never seen a Vulcan fly before. I've seen it now, on to the next one.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy seeing the old girl at airshows and I admire the work done by those who maintain her, but, seen it now. Bring on the meat box!

[Xplumberlives]

Good to get a post out of you Steve, we look forward to your safe return.

Keep safe out there!

Dave

[Ducati Boy]

Exceptionalsleeper, I love to see the milk of human kindness and forgiveness generated by Christmas.
However, its just so uplifting to see that now that Christmas is out of the way and the New Year is well and truly in, we can uncross our fingers, get back to reality of a bit of slagging off, settling of old scores and grinding of axes blunted by all that forgive and forget nonsense from New Years Eve.

Good luck to all our military in Afghanistan, Keep your head down and get safe home.

Oh and Happy New Year to ALL, honest I mean it.

[Hungry Haggis]

Exceptionalsleeper, I love to see the milk of human kindness and forgiveness generated by Christmas.
However, its just so uplifting to see that now that Christmas is out of the way and the New Year is well and truly in, we can uncross our fingers, get back to reality of a bit of slagging off, settling of old scores and grinding of axes blunted by all that forgive and forget nonsense from New Years Eve.

Good luck to all our military in Afghanistan, Keep your head down and get safe home.

Oh and Happy New Year to ALL, honest I mean it.

SHH don't say that TOO loud the wife will hear (then expect me to sharpen the dam thing) so she can attack the overgrown trees out back.

[Exceptionalsleeper]

get back to reality of a bit of slagging off, settling of old scores and grinding of axes blunted by all that forgive and forget nonsense from New Years Eve.

It is great to see you are still at the defence of the VTST. I admire such loyalty.

Believe me, I have no axe to grind nor scores to settle. I did that a long time ago. I come in peace - life goes on.

To the points you made however, do you not see it saddening that a small charity that once had an amazing dedicated following managed to drive the majority of its supporters away and piss so many of them off that they have this so called axe to grind?

I wish all the VTST the best of luck, nothing is forever and I guess we need to make the most of what we have now.

[Mayfly]

Hi Steve, Good to hear from you, 3 years eh! goodness where does the time go

keep your head down matey.

Have a safe tour.

[Exceptionalsleeper]

I know, the wheels were in motion this time three years ago.

Must have been the best 24 hrs of my life and we did a little bit towards keeping her flying.

As I said, I rarely have much of an interest in the day-to-day running of the project. Nothing seems to have changed within the Trust but I wish them every success in 2012 . I heard Richard Clarke stepped down and Dickon Dearman too within the club? What were the reasons?

How is DT these days? Does he still instruct at Cranwell? He stopped the Waddo Airshow appointment last year? God, time passes before me. Lol.

[Mayfly]

No DT left Cranwell when he went to Waddington and he finally, finally, finally retired last July, so is under my feet most of the time.

The only a/c he has anything to do with now is 655. Tho' he has started to look out of the window when we hear something unusual whereas before he alway thought me sad for doing it!!!

[Exceptionalsleeper]

You can never take the passion away from him. No doubt he still has the tastes for it?

Well, nothing unsual in the skies or RAF these days, the persistent cutbacks put paid to that. Being a former Harrier man I see the US Marines in KAF with theirs and it saddens me the state and capability gaps left in the UK's air defences.

I guess, despite the politics it is good XH558 still has the following it does.

I shall be popping on here a little more frequently but in the interim take care Pam.

[Dee]

Blooming heck 3 years ago!!! We did our bit at Newark Air museum for the scramble, and still trying to do my bit even tho no spare cash to throw at her now
Wishing you safety out there and a safe return home.

[Gully]

I heard Richard Clarke stepped down and Dickon Dearman too within the club? What were the reasons?

Richard could no longer commit his time to both Club AND Trust (and his paid employment!). In light of his expanding PR and Air Show sponsorship promoting roles for the Trust, he decided to focus on his Trust work, including his role as a Trustee.

Dickon took over the family business, which meant he no longer had the time available to commit to Club Committee work.

Can't say I saw you at an air show in 2011, but if I had I certainly wouldn't have avoided you!

Gully

[Gaz]

I heard Richard Clarke stepped down and Dickon Dearman too within the club? What were the reasons?

Richard could no longer commit his time to both Club AND Trust (and his paid employment!). In light of his expanding PR and Air Show sponsorship promoting roles for the Trust, he decided to focus on his Trust work, including his role as a Trustee.

Dickon took over the family business, which meant he no longer had the time available to commit to Club Committee work.

Can't say I saw you at an air show in 2011, but if I had I certainly wouldn't have avoided you!

Gully

I haven't even seen Dearman at Brunty for ages. He's even removed his FB account. Must be busy!

[Sploosher]

Seeing as though a lot of VTTSD club/forum members are pee`d off with the people at the top, then maybe they should suggest at the next AGM that they all stand down and the VTTS starts off with some new brooms.........

I would go, but I think my membership expires before the next AGM........

[Vulcan Bomber]

Seeing as though a lot of VTTSD club/forum members are pee`d off with the people at the top, then maybe they should suggest at the next AGM that they all stand down and the VTTS starts off with some new brooms.........

I would go, but I think my membership expires before the next AGM........

And what will the CAA say to that?

[Sploosher]

Seeing as though a lot of VTTSD club/forum members are pee`d off with the people at the top, then maybe they should suggest at the next AGM that they all stand down and the VTTS starts off with some new brooms.........

I would go, but I think my membership expires before the next AGM........

And what will the CAA say to that?

who knows

anything that is good enough and helps to keep 558 back in the air is a good thing .......

surely who ever is at the top of the VTTS is nothing to do with the CAA.........

[Hungry Haggis]

Seeing as though a lot of VTTSD club/forum members are pee`d off with the people at the top, then maybe they should suggest at the next AGM that they all stand down and the VTTS starts off with some new brooms.........

I would go, but I think my membership expires before the next AGM........

This row/Farce was thrashed out years ago best leaving it in the cupboards I think.

[Gaz]

Seeing as though a lot of VTTSD club/forum members are pee`d off with the people at the top, then maybe they should suggest at the next AGM that they all stand down and the VTTS starts off with some new brooms.........

I would go, but I think my membership expires before the next AGM........

This row/Farce was thrashed out years ago best leaving it in the cupboards I think.

True!

But it's SUCH a tinder box, only takes the slightest spark to set it off again!



And it's tremendous fun to watch, for those of us that don't care one way or the other

[Gully]

Seeing as though a lot of VTTSD club/forum members are pee`d off with the people at the top, then maybe they should suggest at the next AGM that they all stand down and the VTTS starts off with some new brooms.........

I would go, but I think my membership expires before the next AGM........

And what will the CAA say to that?

who knows

anything that is good enough and helps to keep 558 back in the air is a good thing .......

surely who ever is at the top of the VTTS is nothing to do with the CAA.........

1. The Club AGM can vote on whatever it likes, but it has no power over the Trust Management - it would merely be an expression of wishes / discontent. As explained before, the Club's constitution is such that we are committed to supporting both the aircraft and Trust, so we cannot withhold financial support unless a specific resolution was passed to amend the constitution to allow us to do so, and in any case, the monies the Club provides is not huge in the overall funding puzzle - our membership individually commits far more

2. Actually the CAA does dictate certain positions within VTTS and individuals are named as fundamental to '558's operation

Gully

[Mayfly]

Thank you Gully.

And there I believe is good place to call an end to that particular area of this thread!

[Exceptionalsleeper]

Thank you Gully.

And there I believe is good place to call an end to that particular area of this thread!

I agree Pam, If it was going to happen then it was years ago - I'd have wanted DT back on board too.

Least on a positive the engineers got their stamp and can now sign off work without the £££££ required for Marshalls to do.

I think the management are heading in the right direction - finally.

Good luck to the Trust and Club I say and lets hope she lights London up and maybe sounds over the Olympics with her four howling Olympi! Lol.

Just a question of curiosity Pam, what was DT's final flying hour tally on the Vulcan type?

[Mayfly]

Just short of 5,000 hrs I believe, in general terms he has 10,000 hrs, 5000 Vulcan & 5000 instructional on Vulcan, JP, Tucano and Jet Stream with a few minor a/c hours thrown in for good measure like the Dak and Lanc, Chipmunk and Bulldog..

[Hungry Haggis]

Now whats on the front of the log book is it hoover flying hours or days spent slaving over a hot sink .DT i surely sympathies But think of retirement as giving up one profession and then begin to wonder how you managed to actually fit in any time to do any work at all.Or in DT's case kept us all looking sky wards at a very large chunk of various metals floating at the front end of a loud HOWL. Thank you And thank you also to the engineers that keep her up there.

[Sooty655]

I wish all the VTST the best of luck, nothing is forever and I guess we need to make the most of what we have now.

Steve, your right mate, we do have to make the most of what we have, people come and go.

32 years in the RAF taught me you don't always get the perfect team members when you need them as one might choose in a perfect world. However, a team still has to function and one has to work with what is available, good, bad or indifferent, the job still has to be done. My loyalty is not to any individual or organisation, just like you I am paid to do my duty as best as I can, my loyalty is to the objective of the whole excercise, keeping 558 in the air and the team I support operating 110%, I don't care about politics at all.

Incidentally Vulcan Scramble was much appreciated, certainly by me personally as part of the engineering crew at the time. I would be glad to see you at an airshow at anytime.

Things have actually changed a lot at TVOC over the last 3 years and we have achieved such a lot, gaining the trust and recognition of the CAA and finally getting our full M5 authority.For my sins I get to stick my head in the lions mouth and issue the certifying stamp authority for supervisors.

Keep posting and stay safe.