Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum

by **Thumper** » Sat May 08, 2010 10:13 am

Can anyone tell me why XH558 doesn't display at Duxford?

I wondered this last year and UKAR people seemed to think that Duxford was couldn't afford her and this year Duxford has specifically on their website:

Duxford Website wrote:Please note that, in order to balance flying budgets whilst preserving the breadth and variety of displaying aircraft, Vulcan XH558 is not booked to appear at any of the Duxford air shows or events in 2010.

Is it simply that? I can't see that it costs a massively large amount to have XH558 due to some of the smaller shows like Cosby, Shoreham and Turweston being able to book her and I imagine that Duxfords Budget is about 50 times larger than the previous seeing as they had an F-16 last year, the Typhoon this year and for American Air Day they can afford x4 F-15's!

by **Mayfly** » Sat May 08, 2010 10:55 am

Gully has a much better memory than me so perhaps he can shed some light on what was said at the 558 club day in March as I think the question was asked there.......

Personally I think it is a mixture or things -

Compared to most display a/c 558 is expensive tho!

by **Gully** » Sat May 08, 2010 11:43 pm

Not solely a money issue, although as MF says, '558 doesn't come cheap! '558 did appear there on one occasion in 2008 and was briefly advertised as appearing at the IWM's Spring airshow in 2009, although the booking was never confirmed and '558 wouldn't have been out of servicing anyway.

The official reason is that Duxford take the view that they pretty much sell-out their shows anyway and don't need the Vulcan as a pricey headline act. Plus, the IWM has a close working relationship with their local constabulary and are concerned that '558 appearing would lead to traffic problems both in terms of accessing the airfield and in the surrounding lanes / villages (remember the chaos getting in to Flying Legends when RIAT was cancelled?!).

I understand that last year the IWM got tired of people asking whether '558 was appearing at their various shows, so this year they've stuck a note on the wedsite to clarify the position!

Seems that '558 is a victim of her own popularity in some ways, whilst the IWM shows are successful despite her not being there. It's been suggested that there's been some falling out between the Trust and IWM, but I've no knowledge of that and the fact that they were supportive of the Vulcan Scramble and recently hosted a presentation by the Trust seems to dispell that rumour.

Gully

by **Mayfly** » Sun May 09, 2010 6:29 am

I knew you would remember Gully $\:D/$ It all comes back to me now!!!!

by **Hihonyr8811** » Sun May 09, 2010 9:06 am

Gully wrote:remember the chaos getting in to Flying Legends when RIAT was cancelled?!.

Gully

Vividly

We were late (as normal) and they had to open up a field a 1/4 mile away, try doing that with two chairs and a picnic bag, so in that respect I can totaly understand why they don't want that again.
Especially as so many people already sit in the fields on t'other side of the r/w which I know the organisers don't like.

by **Cluny** » Sun May 09, 2010 11:21 am

Gully wrote:(remember the chaos getting in to Flying Legends when RIAT was cancelled?!).Gully

Nope , i got there early

by **Nickolas** » Sun May 09, 2010 7:08 pm

Mayfly wrote:I knew you would remember Gully $\:D/$ It all comes back to me now!!!!

Ahhh, the drugs are kicking in then.........

by **Mayfly** » Sun May 09, 2010 7:15 pm

It's the drugs fault in the first place!!!! :))

by **Xplumberlives** » Mon May 10, 2010 2:06 pm

Hihonyr8811 wrote:
Gully wrote:remember the chaos getting in to Flying Legends when RIAT was cancelled?!.

Gully

Vividly

We were late (as normal) and they had to open up a field a 1/4 mile away, try doing that with two chairs and a picnic bag, so in that respect I can totaly understand why they don't want that again.
Especially as so many people already sit in the fields on t'other side of the r/w which I know the organisers don't like.

Nice to have the sunn behind you though!

by **Hihonyr8811** » Mon May 10, 2010 6:08 pm

I don;t think I've been to Duxford when it's sunny =))

by **Mayfly** » Mon May 10, 2010 6:42 pm

Apart from Waddington last year I don't think I've ever been to an airshow when it been sunny :))

by **Nickolas** » Mon May 10, 2010 9:14 pm

Mayfly wrote:Apart from Waddington last year I don't think I've ever been to an airshow when it been sunny

Waddo 2006........Bloody boiling........and England left the world cup (No surprises there). =))

by **Mags** » Mon May 10, 2010 9:46 pm

Mayfly wrote:Apart from Waddington last year I don't think I've ever been to an airshow when it been sunny

Wot about Leuchars last year?

by **Mayfly** » Mon May 10, 2010 9:50 pm

aha yes forgot about 2006 - DT took a JP in because the VTST raffle prize was a trip in one with him. It was so hot the tanks vented all over their new tarmac hard standings leading into the hangars -OOPS!!!!!! :ymblushing: