RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day 2009 - Press Release
Air Day Prepares for Vulcan's Thunder
The mighty presence and thunderous roar of the Avro Vulcan will be felt and heard over RNAS Yeovilton for the first time in 17 years when it appears at the station's annual Air Day on July 11th. Celebrated as a deliverer of military supremacy, famed for the sheer power of its airshow performances and adored by its many thousands of loyal supporters, the mighty Vulcan bomber is a truly iconic and inspirational aircraft and one that – along with the Spitfire, Harrier and Concorde – means a great deal to the British public at large.
The type was conceived as one element of Britain's post-war nuclear deterrent force, and first flew in 1952. 136 Vulcans ultimately left the Avro production line as either earlier B.1s or later B.2s. Powered by four Bristol Olympus engines producing a total of 44,000 pounds of thrust, the Vulcan served solely with the Royal Air Force, but enjoyed a lengthy career that spanned three decades. The highpoints of its service life were undoubtedly the infamous 'Black Buck' missions flown between Ascension Island and Port Stanley during the Falklands Conflict in 1982.
The Vulcan appearing at Air Day, XH558, is the only airworthy example in the world. She was the 12th B.2-version to be constructed and, in 1986, the last to be retired by the RAF, who thereafter operated it on the airshow circuit for six years. When subsequently demoted from the skies, her loss was sadly felt, and XH558 consequently spent many years on the ground but, behind the scenes, a small team of dedicated, passionate engineers were steadily resurrecting her back to flying condition. The culmination of their hard work was realised in October 2007 when she took to the skies once more.
The show-stopping Vulcan is just one of a large group of famed British jet aircraft performing at this year's Air Day, which will also include the classic de Havilland Sea Vixen, the Hawker Sea Hawk and the de Havilland Vampire – the first jet-powered type to land on a Royal Navy carrier.
Other highlights include four world-class aerobatic teams, a cavalcade of ultra-agile jet fighters, the 50-aircraft Fly Navy 100 flypast and the spectacular Commando Assault Finale.
The current list of participating aircraft can be viewed at www.yeoviltonairday.co.uk Tickets are available online or via the ticketline on 08445 781 781.
