[BITList] Last Vulcan bomber soars into the clouds for one final time | Daily Mail Online

Fri Feb 26 16:51:30 GMT 2016

> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3293789/The-remaining-active-Vulcan-bomber-soars-clouds-one-time-bringing-curtain-legendary-career.html <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3293789/The-remaining-active-Vulcan-bomber-soars-clouds-one-time-bringing-curtain-legendary-career.html>
> 
> The final flight: The only remaining active Vulcan bomber soars into the clouds for one last time before bringing the curtain down on its legendary career
> 
> It was once Britain's first line of defence against a Russian nuclear attack, but the last remaining flying Vulcan bomber has now brought the curtain down on its legendary career after soaring through the clouds one final time.
> 
> Following its £75,000 farewell tour of the UK earlier this month the Cold War aircraft today took a final short trip from Doncaster before retiring to a hangar at the town's Robin Hood Airport where it will be put on display.
> 
> Such is the scale of the Vulcan's popularity that organisers had to keep the details of its final flight under wraps until the last minute through fear it could attract thousands of spectators and endanger the airport's normal operations.
> 
> Scroll down for videos 
> 
> 
> End of an era: The last remaining active Vulcan bomber has brought the curtain down on its legendary career with one final flight (pictured)
> 
> 
> Taking flight: Following its £75,000 farewell tour of Britain earlier this month the Cold War aircraft today took a final short trip from Doncaster before retiring to a hangar at the town's Robin Hood Airport where it will be put on display
> 
> 
> Waving goodbye: The crew flying the Vulcan for the final time were, from left, Jonathan Lazzari, Bill Ramsey, Martin Withers and Phil Davies. They are pictured waving in front of the Vulcan XH558, a restored nuclear bomber, following its final flight earlier today
> 
> The pilot at the controls of XH558, Martin Withers, led the first Vulcan attack on Port Stanley airfield during the 1982 Falklands War - the only time the aircraft ever dropped bombs in anger in its long RAF service.
> 
> He has said he believes the aircraft was a 'force for peace', having been built at the height of the Cold War to carry Britain's nuclear weapons to the Soviet Union.
> 
> As he prepared for the flight, Mr Withers said: 'Everyone asks me what is so special about this aircraft and why people love it. Really the people who fly it are the wrong people to ask. It's such a combination of grace and beauty of just seeing this thing fly.
> 
> 'Just to see it fly along, it's so graceful. And then that combines with the sense of power and manoeuvrability you've got with this aircraft and the vibrations it makes. It just seems to turn people on emotionally, they really love it.'
> 
> The XH558 roared into the skies later than expected as low cloud and rain threatened to scupper the final flight completely.
> 
>  <>Vulcan bomber makes final ever flight over Doncaster Airport
> 
> 
> Excitement: Such is the scale of the Vulcan's popularity that organisers had to keep its final flight under wraps until the last minute in case it attracted thousands of spectators. However, the word got out to some, with members of the public eager to catch a final glimpse
> 
> 
> Preparing for take-off: The pilot at the controls of XH558, Martin Withers, led the first Vulcan attack on Port Stanley airfield during the 1982 Falklands War - the only time the aircraft ever dropped bombs in anger in its long RAF service
> 
> 
> A final journey: As he prepared for the flight, Mr Withers said: 'Everyone asks me what is so special about this aircraft and why people love it. Really the people who fly it are the wrong people to ask. It's such a combination of grace and beauty of just seeing this thing fly.'
> 
> 
> And we're off! The XH558 roared into the skies later than expected as low cloud and rain threatened to scupper the final flight completely
> 
> 
> Putting on a show: As soon as XH558's wheels left the runway, Mr Withers pulled into a steep climb. The Vulcan did two wide circuits of the airport, coming in low over the runway the first time around, performing a touch-and-go manoeuvre on the second, and landing on the third
> 
> 
> Piece of history: The pilot at the controls, Martin Withers (pictured), has said he believes the aircraft was a 'force for peace', having been built at the height of the Cold War to carry Britain's nuclear weapons to the Soviet Union
> 
> Last iconic Vulcan bomber will become a 'living aircraft'
> 
> But, as the bomber taxied slowly to end of the runway, the sun came out to the delight of scores of well-wishers who lined the airport perimeter, somehow circumventing the trust's attempts to keep the take-off quiet.
> 
> As soon as XH558's wheels left the runway, Mr Withers pulled into a steep climb.
> 
> The Vulcan did two wide circuits of the airport, coming in low over the runway the first time around, performing a touch-and-go manoeuvre on the second, and landing on the third.
> 
> The aircraft came to a halt with the help of a braking parachute.
> 
> It taxied back to its base where it was greeted with a traditional salute from the airport's fire vehicles and cheers from waiting supporters.
> 
> 
> One final flight: The Vulcan is pictured completing a circuit of the airport, before coming in low over the runway the first time around
> 
> 
> A beautiful sight: This summer and beyond, millions of people watched as the world's last flying Vulcan completed a farewell tour of the UK before its permit-to-fly expires at the end of October. Today it soared through the clouds for the final time
> 
> 
> Support: Enthusiasts watched the Vulcan through a fence at Doncaster's Robin Hood Airport, cheering as it took off and returned into land
> 
> 
> Coming into land: The XH558, which first came into RAF service in 1960, has been kept in the air by a volunteer trust since 2007
> 
> 
> The end: The Cold War aircraft came to a halt with the help of a braking parachute after completing its final journey from Doncaster today
> 
> 
> Mission complete: Stepping off the aircraft for the last time, Mr Withers (left) posed for one last curtain call with his co-pilot Bill Ramsey and the two air electronics officers on the flight, Jonathan Lazzari and Phil Davies
> 
> Stepping off the aircraft for the last time, Mr Withers posed for one last curtain call with his co-pilot Bill Ramsey and the two air electronics officers on the flight, Jonathan Lazzari and Phil Davies.
> 
> He said: 'I really enjoyed the flight. It's so sad it has to finish now. It's like a funeral.'
> 
> 
> Former pilot Angus Laird said: 'I think it's very, very sad but we all come to a time when we stop flying. She's an old lady now and she's stopped at the height of her popularity, which I think is brilliant.'
> 
> The XH558, which first came into RAF service in 1960, has been kept in the air by a volunteer trust since 2007.
> 
> This summer and beyond, millions of people watched as the world's last flying Vulcan completed a farewell tour of the UK before its permit-to-fly expires at the end of October.
> 
> Vulcan XH558 passes over Dunmail Raise on final flight
> 
> 
> Emotional: Former pilot Angus Laird said: 'I think it's very, very sad but we all come to a time when we stop flying. She's an old lady now and she's stopped at the height of her popularity, which I think is brilliant'
> 
> 
> Respect: The Vulcan taxied back to its base where it was greeted with a traditional salute from the airport's fire vehicles (pictured)
> 
> 
> The Vulcan To The Sky Trust, which brought the 55-year-old aircraft back to flight eight years ago, has accepted advice from supporting companies that they no longer have the expertise to keep it airworthy as engineers retire from the industry. Spectators are pictured today
> 
> 
> Future plans: XH558 will stay in its Cold War hangar at Robin Hood Airport, once RAF Finningley, where the trust is planning a visitor centre and also to continue 'fast taxiing' the bomber around the runways
> 
> 
> Saying farewell: This summer and beyond, millions of people watched as the world's last flying Vulcan completed a farewell tour of the UK before its permit-to-fly expires at the end of October
> 
> 
> 
> History: The pilot at the controls of XH558, Martin Withers, led the first Vulcan attack on Port Stanley airfield during the 1982 Falklands War (left) - the only time the aircraft ever dropped bombs in anger in its long RAF service. It is pictured right in 1958
> 
> The Vulcan To The Sky Trust, which brought the 55-year-old aircraft back to flight eight years ago, has accepted advice from supporting companies that they no longer have the expertise to keep it airworthy as engineers retire from the industry.
> 
> XH558 will stay in its Cold War hangar at Robin Hood Airport, once RAF Finningley, where the trust is planning a visitor centre and also to continue 'fast taxiing' the bomber around the runways. 
> 
> 
> John Sharman, chairman of the trust, said: 'It's a sad day but it's also a day of optimism in many ways.
> 
> 'Today marks the end of the beginning of this life of Vulcans because we have huge plans for the future.
> 
> 'We will preserve this aeroplane for the nation in working order, if not in flying order, for the future as the centrepiece of a heritage centre.'
> 
> Mr Sharman said: 'She is very beautiful, she is very powerful, she is is totally unique, totally distinct. And that delta shape seems to inspire both young and old.'
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0CE0300000578-0-image-a-112_1446050155230.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 66751 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0022.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0CD5B00000578-0-image-a-113_1446050162282.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 59408 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0023.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0F41500000578-0-image-a-115_1446050166620.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 111567 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0024.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0FFA500000578-0-image-a-118_1446050204833.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 242335 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0025.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE078D300000578-0-image-a-140_1446050791241.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 85584 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0026.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0F4F300000578-0-image-a-123_1446050292234.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 93532 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0027.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE080C800000578-0-image-a-142_1446050795324.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 64958 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0028.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE09ACD00000578-0-image-a-121_1446050216633.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 112392 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0029.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0494600000578-0-image-a-128_1446050361263.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 142221 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0030.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE09B3300000578-0-image-a-120_1446050209482.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 164387 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0031.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0F66A00000578-0-image-a-130_1446050410716.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 58175 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0032.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0FB9200000578-0-image-a-131_1446050417557.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 150787 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0033.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0EB5500000578-0-image-a-134_1446050421285.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 77241 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0034.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0DE7A00000578-0-image-a-135_1446050426487.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 91391 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0035.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0C44400000578-0-image-a-138_1446050701736.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 136102 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0036.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0BB4600000578-0-image-a-143_1446050817704.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 89863 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0037.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0AE6000000578-0-image-a-146_1446050821453.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 49067 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0038.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE0748900000578-0-image-a-147_1446050824672.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 243449 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0039.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE04A6C00000578-0-image-a-150_1446050878697.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 172601 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0040.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE04E1600000578-0-image-a-152_1446050882585.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 95012 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0041.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE04C8800000578-0-image-m-162_1446050924546.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 57014 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0042.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2DE04F5F00000578-0-image-m-164_1446050935390.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 55044 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20160227/bf328a18/attachment-0043.jpg>