Vulcan XH558 Press Release 18.04.06

After eight years of investigation, preparation and fundraising it seems that the quest to return the last Avro Vulcan, to flight may have to accept defeat, just as the goal is in sight!

Unthinkable but a reality. Why? Because despite support from 20,000 donors who have given as much if not more than they can afford, a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and ‘Gifts in Kind' from some Equipment Manufacturers, the time lag between grant and contract, being both unexpected and unpredictable; the significant uplift in cost from two major aerospace contractors and the lack of an early commercial sponsor, means possible defeat for the return of Vulcan.

Bought for the Nation by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST), the restoration of Vulcan XH558 has always been complex, both in engineering and fundraising terms. But the energy and support that has been around for the past five years has sustained Vulcan to the Sky to date.

Sadly, a surprising 100% uplift on one major aspect of the contract and a further £500,000 ‘overrun estimate' in another are unaffordable in the timescale and could well be the last straw. That, together with the lack of a major sponsor at this stage looks like spelling disaster!

G-VLCN, as she will be when flying under civil registration, has been asked to participate in the 25 th Falklands Anniversary tribute in 2007 and other such commemorative events for the future and VTST were excited to accept. This will not now be possible if funds are not found to complete the work to ‘roll out' and beyond.

Tragic that this icon should be so near and yet so far from thrilling new generations; of paying tribute to national honour and to so eloquently epitomizing the era when a deterrent force kept peace in Europe .

Concorde will never fly again but Vulcan can - mother of Concorde, and a great, truly British, icon this aircraft should be supported to fly.

Vulcan is quintessentially British; her design was years ahead of its time and is still relevant in Aerospace R&D today; she is as significant to her era as is the Spitfire to the Second World War and she can be returned to flight!

The Access and Learning exhibition - the Outreach Museum – that will precede G-VLCN on her aerial journeys, will take the story of the Cold War to schools, colleges, universities and the wider community to share the experiences and historical facts of the era. A unique activity giving added value throughout the year to the historic facts of a deterrent force that did not fail and of a mission in the South Atlantic that undoubtedly helped bring an end to conflict. Sharing these little-lauded actions with new generations will inform and enhance their learning experience.

This is so much more than just the restoration of a heritage aircraft.

ITV visited Bruntingthorpe and recorded an item on the restoration of XH558 and the need for extra funding and it is scheduled to be shown at the following times on the following regional programmes. We have also issued the press release to the media and hope that they too will cover the fact that we need financial support to meet our target for 'roll out'!

MERIDIAN SOUTH – FRIDAY APRIL 21 (Lunch & 6pm )
MERIDIAN WEST – WEDNESDAY APRIL 19 (Lunch & 6pm )
MERIDIAN EAST – FRIDAY APRIL 21 (Lunch & 6pm )
ANGLIA EAST – TUESDAY APRIL 18 (Lunch & 11am only)
ANGLIA WEST – TUESDAY APRIL 18 (Lunch & 11am only)
ITV WEST – tba
ITV WALES – WEDNESDAY APRIL 19 (Lunch and 6pm)
GRANADA – tba
CENTRAL SOUTH – WEDNESDAY APRIL 19 (Lunch & 6pm)
CENTRAL WEST – tba
CENTRAL EAST – THURSDAY APRIL 20 (Lunch & 6pm)
LONDON TONIGHT – TUESDAY APRIL 18 (Lunch & 11am only)
YORKSHIRE TV – APRIL 18/19 (depending on news schedule)

Please donate here to become a 'Friend' online or if you wish to donate by post and become a 'Friend' of Vulcan to the Sky please send your donation to VTST,P.O.Box 3240, Dorset BH21 4YP with an SAE for your 'Friends' card. Thank you.

Vulcan to the Sky website.