Vulcan XH558 over York!!

[carl_saint]

I know a few of you guys are into aircraft and went to the Waddington airshow at the weekend. I know the Vulcan was due to fly but didn't due to Maintenence! I'm a massive fan of aircraft myself and started going to shows in the early 90's when the Vulcan was still flying so had the pleasure of seeing this a number of times!

Well now you can imagine my delight when I was coming out of York today at 1300hrs and heard the most ferocious noise. Looked over head and there she was! XH558 at about 1500feet! My hairs stood on end!
Luckily I was in my car and there was no traffic so bolted it to the A64 and chased her. Got off at Colton services and raced down some country roads following the noise and the occasional sighting. Came out through some trees and she was right above pulling turns at about 2000 feet. I could not believe it!! I pulled over and got out my trusty iPhone. Stood for about ten mins watching a display overhead in absolute awe!!!
Once she had finished the pilot put the hammer down and bolted back over York!

Some pictures for you the gawp over below! So wish I had my DSLR in the boot with the zoom lens. I know where I'll be keeping it from now on!

 

[Vossy1]

:party: :party: :party: :party: :party:
You've made my day Carl, that will probably mean she'll be at RIAT....I can't wait.
I said to the Mrs I might go over to Donny Airport as I know she'd be flying some time this week :thumb:

EDIT...even the VTTS page hasn't been updated yet :lol:

 

[carl_saint]

Looks like it mate, fingers crossed for you! Wish I was going but seeing this has made my day! I'm still buzzing now! The sound is like nothing else!

 

[Vossy1]

You're a star Swimbo's gutted she's only just arrived home in Manchester...after driving from York :lol:

 

[carl_saint]

Aww gutted!

 

[Growler]

THIS WEEKEND THE 7/7/12

the Lancaster bomber will be doing a fly past at Compton Verney

http://www.comptonverney.org.uk/modules ... ht_weekend

:thumb:

 

[Muddydisco]

Seen her many a time, This is where she used to be based at Bruntingthorpe Airfeild. Have stood 100ft to the side of the runway when she took off. Seen her doing engine tests on the run way.

And the best day was this .

Flying figures of 8 over the site. low slow passes, fast passes, dipped wings. all this whilst I'm trying to service a refrigeration unit

 

[bobsbeer]

Looks like she's fixed then. :thumb:

 

[BrewDan]

Can't believe I missed this last year when it flew over our houses at Southend!!

I recall the day the Vulcan landed at Southend, the windows at my parents were place were single pane at the time, the noise and vibrations were so intense it cracked the glass!

I keep meaning to go to a show where this is flying, but always seem to be busy on the day... I'm sure someone here will get some photos, and maybe video uploaded though

 

[carl_saint]

Just gone up again from Doncaster 10 mins ago! In air now! Looking good for this weekend Vossy!

 

[Vossy1]

Just gone up again from Doncaster 10 mins ago! In air now! Looking good for this weekend Vossy!

:party: ...Thanks Carl, much appreciated :thumb: I just hope this weather doesn't come in :hmm:
From the VTTS site

Those following our news feeds will probably already be aware that XH558 took off earlier today on an initial flight to test the recently fitted engines. The crew reported no concerns and are now planning a further flight to develop the crew currency needed for our 2012 display routine. This will be subject to a suitable weather window and hence, is not set for any particular time.

Providing all goes well, the aircraft will take-off again on Friday and depart to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, ahead of this weekend’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

 

[TRXnMe]

One hell of a 'plane, I saw it at a few air shows before it was grounded, the sound of the engines always made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

Watcing it move against the background of the sky was impressive, from a visual aspect only Concorde got close.

The only engine note better than the Vulcan is the Merlin, any Merlin engined aircraft, nothing else is close.

I suspect the reaction to the Merlin engine is genetically coded into the British psyche

If we get any good weather thie year, and it coincides with an airshow the Vulcan should be at I'll be making the trip :)

 

[Baz Chaz]

Saw one a number of years ago, the pilot pretty much stood it on it's tail, opened the thing up and sent it nearly vertical, what a sight and more to the point, what a sound, awesome :!:

The Chief Pilot @ VSEL Barrow was called Peter and ex Vulcan Pilot (no he didn't have pointy ears you know what I mean ) he told some stories about this plane, he loved flying it :idea:

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Fantastic, wish she'd been at Waddington :thumb:

 

[Barticus]

Used to love watching the Vulcan at the Sunderland airshows.

Last year we took advantage of the free museum day at Sunderland Aircraft museum and got to climb inside the Vulcan there and sit in the pilots seat.

Simply breathtaking to think something as big as that is so tiny inside.

 

[unclepumble]

I remember many moons ago must have been the mid to late 80's, swimming across the lake at Congy Beach, (its a big lake ex sand quarry in congleton) I was half way across, probably 3-400 yds out when there was an almighty roar and the sky went black, I looked up and there was a a couple of Vulcans flying right over the top of me at about 1000-1500Ft it was an awesome swim & an awesome sight.....


I also Know the Guy who was in chief engineer of Port Stanley Airport in the 80's (a welsh guy called Bill Hughes), he isn't a great fan of the Vulcan, because he said they put dirty great big bloody holes in his runway :rofl:


UP

 

[tazuk]

verry nice awsome plane i was at a air show one the vulcan came in low then open up the engines the clime rate was amazing it just went up and up

 

[tazuk]

did you see the program how the vulcan got there and where they found part of the refueling nozzle in a raf staff room :thumb:

I also Know the Guy who was in chief engineer of Port Stanley Airport in the 80's (a welsh guy called Bill Hughes), he isn't a great fan of the Vulcan, because he said they put dirty great big bloody holes in his runway :rofl:


UP

 

[Growler]

I quite often go to Coventry's air craft musuem where they have a vulcan bomber that you can go up into the bombers seat!

and in September 2010 they had a show and we live close to the flight path and I got these pic as it left unfortunatly missed getting any pics of the straffing run the two meteors did over my house

I have also had the chance to go see "Just Jane" which was the most awesome thing I have ever see and heardhttp://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/

 

[doyley]

I see that the Vulcan is due to appear at the Clacton Airshow on Thursday 23rd August. This coincides with the Clacton Camra Beer Festival which takes place not much more than a stone's throw from the seafront where all the action takes place. What more could you ask for, a good selection of Real Ales with the Vulcan ( and no doubt other aircraft ) as well! I shall certainly be there.