Last chance to see the Vulcan fly...

[Steve_PPP]

So, its been announced today that 2013 will be the last flying year of the single remaining airworthy Avro Vulcan - XH558.

A lot of people have known its coming to an end, but its now official

Taken from http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/4...s-Release.html

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.”

“From the start of the 2014 season, it is unlikely that we could accommodate any engine failures and that even without any technical problems, soon our set of engines would be out of life,” says Edmondson. “There are no more airworthy engines available, and refurbishment would be so difficult and costly that there is no possibility that it will happen.”

[Steve_PPP]

Really glad i saw her fly at Shoreham this year, looking forward to next year already - it'll be one of the Vulcan's last public shows i expect.

[asperformance]

fantastic pieve of kit and have seen one in the air and had a guided tour (by ex-aircrew) a few times..........

[tbtstt]

As you say Steve the annoucement was inevitable, but its still sad that the aircraft will be permanently grounded.

Will have to make sure I catch it one last time in 2013.

[SUBARMAN]

Let's hope we can all fund a full season!!!

[Banstead Stig]

The inevitability only bitters the pill for me.

Was hoping they could eek out a few more years so my little boy could see it fly and have a memory of it.