Avro Vulcan Bomber B.Mk II

Redrock

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@DamianJ

I see where your avatar is an Avro Hawker Vulcan Bomber B.Mk II. While stationed at Offutt AFB, Nebraska in the early 1980s, I was able to see this airplane do a flight demonstration. I remember a number of items distinctly:
1. The noise. Has to be one of the loudest airplane ever made.
2. The howl of the engines. Most unique. I loved it.
3. The size. This is one big airplane.
4. Gracefulness. Seeing it fly was a beauty to behold. Amazing maneuverability.

One of these planes is on display at Offutt AFB.
https://sacmuseum.org/what-to-see/aircraft/avro-hawker-vulcan/

Ed K.
 

DamianJ

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@DamianJ

I see where your avatar is an Avro Hawker Vulcan Bomber B.Mk II. While stationed at Offutt AFB, Nebraska in the early 1980s, I was able to see this airplane do a flight demonstration. I remember a number of items distinctly:
1. The noise. Has to be one of the loudest airplane ever made.
2. The howl of the engines. Most unique. I loved it.
3. The size. This is one big airplane.
4. Gracefulness. Seeing it fly was a beauty to behold. Amazing maneuverability.

One of these planes is on display at Offutt AFB.
https://sacmuseum.org/what-to-see/aircraft/avro-hawker-vulcan/

Ed K.
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the thread and tag.

I remember seeing them fly in the area and at air shows all the time as a kid, although I'm not military.

I was lucky enough to be at RAF Finningley Airshow for "The Last Scramble" where 4 were started and scrambled at the same time, an amazing noise. Try a search on YouTube, I think there's some old footage.

I've also been lucky enough to see XH558 restored to flight and displayed more recently. The howl up close really is something.

Lots of great memories of a great plane.

Best Wishes,
Damian
 

Chris

Forum DOG!
Staff member
We visited Carlisle airfield for XH558's farewell tour it was really sad knowing that I’ll never see (or hear!) her fly again. There’s a non-flight worthy Vulcan there and we had a tour of the cockpit, it was fascinating and a lot more cramped than you’d think.

There are a lot a very good YouTube videos of her in flight though.
 

DamianJ

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Here is a flight demo of XH558.

Vulcan XH558 Finningley Airshow September 1992

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOjsj2Oousw


Ed K.
I was there at that show which I believe was in her last display season.

The farewell in the bomb bay still gets me :cry:

The bomb bay is now full of names of the people that supported and donated to restore and keep her flying. I'm proud to say mine and my families are in there.

If you've not already found it check out the display from RIAT 2015. Nice take off and wingover from an old girl.
 

Paper Plane

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XH558 has flown over my village a few times a couple of years ago. Wonderful to watch and an amazing noise.

Be great shame if it never flies again.

steve
 

DamianJ

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XH558 has flown over my village a few times a couple of years ago. Wonderful to watch and an amazing noise.

Be great shame if it never flies again.

steve
Unfortunately Steve she will never fly again although she is being kept in taxiable condition.

XH558 is still based at Finningley and there are plans for a dedicated visitors centre being built. Fingers crossed.
 

Mikey J

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https://imgur.com/a/jplGzk4

Here's a video I took about 11 months before I left the RAF for pastures new. It's the last serviceable Vulcan with the last two serviceable Lancaster Bombers (one British, one Canadian) flying in formation over RAF Coningsby. Think the other aircraft is a Hawk if my memory serves me correctly.

I've actually been inside that Vulcan on the ground when it was stationed at RAF Lyneham. Great piece of engineering.
 

DamianJ

Forum GOD!
https://imgur.com/a/jplGzk4

Here's a video I took about 11 months before I left the RAF for pastures new. It's the last serviceable Vulcan with the last two serviceable Lancaster Bombers (one British, one Canadian) flying in formation over RAF Coningsby. Think the other aircraft is a Hawk if my memory serves me correctly.

I've actually been inside that Vulcan on the ground when it was stationed at RAF Lyneham. Great piece of engineering.
Great video. I went down to Waddington to watch the 2 Lancaster's together, then went up to Lincoln to watch the flyover. Great memories.
 

Mikey J

Forum HOG!
Great video. I went down to Waddington to watch the 2 Lancaster's together, then went up to Lincoln to watch the flyover. Great memories.
It's a truly amazing sight witnessing that thing in the air. It looks a little bit like its wearing a super hero cape
 

Nishy

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Staff member
Interesting thread, our Pharmacy is very close to an RAF museum and I have visited a few times, always a great experience.

I was also lucky enough to have been flown in a private plane by a family friend a few times when I was younger. Would love to learn to fly now.
 
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