558 has a weak bladder

[Gaz]

Courtesy of the club website, via Facebook:


The Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST), the charity that operates XH558, the World’s last flying Vulcan, regret having to announce that due to a technical problem with one of her fuel tanks, XH558 will not be able to appear at the following airshows:

Thursday 18 August – Dawlish

Saturday 20 August – Bournemouth and Shoreham

Sunday 21 August – Bournemouth, Shoreham and Fly To The Past, Oxford



Andrew Edmondson, VTST Engineering Director said:

“Unfortunately, XH558 has developed a fuel leak from one of the large fuel tanks in her fuselage. This was discovered after the aircraft was refueled ready for this week’s flights. The leak is now being investigated to establish the cause and extent of the problem, and the necessary repair will need to be carried out before she will be able to fly again. We have every confidence that the problem is temporary, and we are working with Fire Proof Tanks of Portsmouth, the manufacturer of the fuel tank, with the aim of completing the repair as soon as practically possible”

With a technical team of just six, VTST operates an aircraft which is over 50 years old to exacting safety standards. We have a ‘safety first’ policy. This means that we will only ever fly the Vulcan if she is fully serviceable, with no room whatsoever for any compromise on this.

It is a great shame that the Vulcan has to miss these upcoming airshows, and for this we are truly sorry, because we know how very popular XH558 is with the public and that many people will be disappointed by this news. We fully share their disappointment and our sympathy is with them and with the airshow organisers.”

Edmondson says the charity can pay for the repairs from its contingency budget, but that the loss of revenue from the missed airshows may have to be made-up from fundraising. “It costs around £2 million a year to fly XH558 to the world’s highest safety standards and we receive no funding from Government or the RAF,” he says. “The income from these shows was an important part of our revenue and it will be missed.”



Martin Withers, Chief Pilot of VTST commented;

“This current problem in no way means that the future of XH558 is in doubt. The aircraft is otherwise in very good condition, with an outstanding reliability record, and we are looking forward to flying her again as soon as we can. It is very unfortunate that this problem should occur just prior to when the aircraft is due to undertake a series of displays over a relatively short period of time.”



VTST further announces that the Vulcan Village will still be present on the seafront at the Bournemouth Air Festival this coming weekend, and the Trust staff and volunteers look forward to meeting as many supporters as possible.

[Dan4th]

Aw, Crap!

Chewing gum won't cut it, I suppose.........

I REALLY HOPE the leak's not in some
inconvenient location.......

OR indicative of other potential probs.....

Where's that Dutch Boy and his Finger
when you Really Need Him?????????

Danf.

[Mayfly]

It's such a shame but I have to say the News Byte is very informative with diagrams showing the tank and Q & As so good for them!

[Dee]

It sounds hopeful for a full recovery!
Shame she's missing Bournemouth etc but wasnt it cancelled last year cos of rain?

[Mayfly]

558 was fogged in at Hurn and missed not only Bournemouth but Shoreham and Silverstone I think it was!

[Dee]

Quite a loss in revenue i guess then?

[Mayfly]

Yes it will be as far finances go but not all bad news for some as the Sea Vixen has been booked for Shoreham and Oxford.

A worthy replacement.

[Xplumberlives]

Yes it will be as far finances go but not all bad news for some as the Sea Vixen has been booked for Shoreham and Oxford.

A worthy replacement.

Every cloud!

[10680]

I look forward to the Sea Vixen at Shoreham.
Pity they only booked it as a replacement. Maybe next year Sea Vixen and XH558.

[Cluny]

The Sea Vixen coming to Oxford

[Sooty655]

At least it has got them a mention on the bbc.

[Mayfly]

The report was on our local news the other night - and as posted in the photo section 558 is also in Canons Photo Plus mag and she was the inspiration for Payer for Today on BBC R4 today!!

[Xplumberlives]

Looking forward to seeing the SEA VIXEN!

[Sooty655]

The report was on our local news the other night - and as posted in the photo section 558 is also in Canons Photo Plus mag and she was the inspiration for Payer for Today on BBC R4 today!!

I'm sure that isn't what you meant, but it seems highly appropriate.

[Xplumberlives]

The report was on our local news the other night - and as posted in the photo section 558 is also in Canons Photo Plus mag and she was the inspiration for Payer for Today on BBC R4 today!!

I'm sure that isn't what you meant, but it seems highly appropriate.

Another MF Freudian slip!

[Mayfly]

[Mayfly]

The latest news I read is the tank bag has been repaired by the chaps down Portsmouth who volunteered to work the w/e. The bag could be back at Finningley by Wednesday afternoon for refit but 558 may not be ready for flight by the w/e because of the checks required.

[Xplumberlives]

The latest news I read is the tank bag has been repaired by the chaps down Portsmouth who volunteered to work the w/e. The bag could be back at Finningley by Wednesday afternoon for refit but 558 may not be ready for flight by the w/e because of the checks required.

Are they after money again?

[Mayfly]

Tank repairs complete - 558 declared serviceable.

[Gully]

Cracking effort!

Gully

[Jigsaw]

Excellent work again, good for them

[MOD]

Really pleased for all concerned.

Now where is that 'Headline' sponsor for next year? Olympics and Betty's Jubilee flypasts.....


ibw