558 on TV

[Mayfly]

There has just been a local report about 558 on TV and RP was on and said 'We only promised to fly her for 4 years'

Am I dreaming then that the original estimate was 10-15 years and then down graded to 5-8? Mind you I suppose they may have only promised to fly her for 4years.....

They also interviewed Taff who stated they were doing an engine change as it had reached the end of it's useful [authorised] life, so I gather from that it must be the last of the original 4 fitted? Am I thinking on the right lines?

[Sooty655]

My memory ain't what it was, but I thought they had pulled two ~ one for oil system (mag-chip) debris and one for "discolouration" found with a borescope. They also pulled two for "dessicant contamination" this year.

On that basis, this would be the one of the replacements.

However, the "dessicant" engines might have already been previous replacements, so you can't really tell ~ there could be two, one or no originals currently installed.

[Mayfly]

Yeah a bit of a puzzle - but then all things to do with 558 are!!

[MOD]

Pam you are right about the 10-15 years. Without the document in front of me (Adobe playing up) I am sure it was stated as such in the original HLF doc.; the one which states it would end up at Duxford.

Ian

[Sooty655]

There has just been a local report about 558 on TV and RP was on and said 'We only promised to fly her for 4 years'

Am I dreaming then that the original estimate was 10-15 years and then down graded to 5-8? Mind you I suppose they may have only promised to fly her for 4years.....

Pam you are right about the 10-15 years. Without the document in front of me (Adobe playing up) I am sure it was stated as such in the original HLF doc.; the one which states it would end up at Duxford.

Ian

Well, the Trust and its Chief Executive have never been known for letting the facts get in the way of a good sob-story.

[Hihonyr8811]

It's just been on the 6:30 news as well, I missed it but mum seems to think he said 558 went to the Falklands??

I agree about the 4 years thing, I thought it was 10 years too

[Mayfly]

He did say 'These doors [bomb bay] opened over the Falklands!!

The other day the DM quoted 558 bombed the Falklands - makes the whole thing ludicrous for those who know.

[Hihonyr8811]

Oh dear, it is a shame they don't do their research. Unless they think by giving false info they'll get more interest or something .

[Mayfly]

It just goes to prove you can't believe what you hear in the media.

[Ramshornvortex]

He did say 'These doors [bomb bay] opened over the Falklands!!

I always tell our visitors that the Bombay was made in India, and that we have to call it a Mumbai now.......

[Grapefruit]

I remember reading a report on the Vulcan a year or so ago that said "The nuclear powered Vulcan" you would think with the amount of information people can look up these days such basic errors would not happen.

[Nickolas]

Check this out.
A bit of conflicting information..........

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/410/ ... rsary.html

[Ramshornvortex]

Check this out.
A bit of conflicting information..........

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/410/ ... rsary.html

WTF.....?

They're doing a fine imitation of our wonderful Guv'mint talking with many tongues and facing in two directions at the same time!

[Old Rigger]

Now I am confused, although at my age it does not surprise me, so basically we have gone from a pretty unequivocal statement as below:

“In a letter to the Trust supporters, Dr. Pleming said: 'Next year will be the last opportunity anyone will have, anywhere in the world, to see a Vulcan in the air.”

To this one the one below, which apparently is the papers fault for not telling the whole truth, I cannot see how even our newspapers or anyone else, can miss-represent the above statement as anything other than what it states:

“The media coverage of XH558 over the past few days has, as ever, reported some of the truth but not the whole truth! We would like to make our intentions clear as regards maintaining XH558 as an airworthy aircraft:
We remain fully committed to keeping XH558 flying for as long as possible.
Be reassured that, in conjunction with our technical colleagues within the aviation industry, we are doing everything in our power to investigate the feasibility of continuing flight operations after 2013. If a way forward is found and is realistically affordable, then we will pursue it with all of the determination that we have demonstrated before.”

[Ray C]

Well said sir, and all the best in keeping her flying....
Il'e make my donation shortly.

[Sooty655]

Do you think they are trying to back-track because they are afraid no-one will pay (again) for just one more year?

[Mayfly]

To be honest I think what they have said is in their usual airy fairy style.

They didn't specifically say 2013 would be the last but they did go on to say that even if they raised the money for the wing mod they would probably still have to ground 558 early in 2014, so not an unreasonable assumption.

I have no doubt they are seeking ways to extend her flying life but the statements they make are not clear cut.

[Cluny]

Do you think they are trying to back-track because they are afraid no-one will pay (again) for just one more year?

Bingo , spot on

[Sooty655]

To be honest I think what they have said is in their usual airy fairy style.

They didn't specifically say 2013 would be the last but they did go on to say that even if they raised the money for the wing mod they would probably still have to ground 558 early in 2014, so not an unreasonable assumption.

I have no doubt they are seeking ways to extend her flying life but the statements they make are not clear cut.

Well, one week ago the Chief Executive of the Trust said ~

It is therefore with particular sadness that I have to tell you that we are planning for next year to be XH558's final flying year, and so, consequently, 2013 may well be your last opportunity to see a Vulcan fly.

If that is what they are planning for, how hard will they really look for alternatives?

[Old Rigger]

I have have re-read the 'End of Flight in 2013' newsletter with forward of :

Final season announced for last flying Vulcan

Vulcan to the Sky Trust prepares to make 2013 a spectacular final flying season but £400,000 needs to be raised within months to fund winter service.

with:

Trust chief executive Dr. Robert Pleming explained the decision to supporters: “We are sure you are aware that all Vulcans have a finite safe flying life and that XH558 is already well beyond the hours flown by any other aircraft of her type,” he wrote. “At the end of next year, she will need a £200,000 modification to her wings to increase her flying life. We know that you would do your upmost to fund this work, but for a number of reasons we have decided not to ask you to take this risk.”

The decision is based on a combination of factors. First is the challenging wing modification, as engineering director Andrew Edmondson explains: “It is a demanding procedure that can no longer call upon the original manufacturing jigs and there is no possibility of rectification if an error is made. We are not saying we cannot do it, just that it is risky so other factors must be taken into account.”

and what I quoted from the newspapers in previous post was “In a letter to the Trust supporters, Dr. Pleming said: 'Next year will be the last opportunity anyone will have, anywhere in the world, to see a Vulcan in the air.” but I see now they missed the words 'that we are planning for''

All clear now, sorry for any upset and confusion caused by an old man, I'll get back in my cubby hole and lurk so as to retain what brains I have for day to day tasks like breathing

[Mayfly]

No problem Mick, the responsibility of communication lies with the communicator!

and I certainly understand Sootys point about the planning!!

[Jogger321]

If they had stated at the time it was only going to fly for 4 years then be grounded I don't think they would have had a hope in hell of getting any money from the HLF

[Sploosher]

If they had stated at the time it was only going to fly for 4 years then be grounded I don't think they would have had a hope in hell of getting any money from the HLF

sad but true..............