Back over Shropshire: Retiring Vulcan bomber's farewell tour
A former RAF bomber is preparing to take to the skies above Shropshire for the last time.
Known by its registration number XH558, it is the only remaining airborne Vulcan bomber, but will be retiring from its flying days later this year.
As part of the "Salute to the V Force" farewell tour, the aircraft will fly over 18 sites throughout the country where "static" Vulcan airframes are on display, including RAF Cosford Museum.
On June 27 it is expected to fly over the Shifnal site as part of its eight-site tour of the region, and the next day it will take in a further nine sites, including Coventry.
Organisers of the "farewell season", the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, said: "When we announced this tour we knew it was the right thing to do as the first of several planned appearances away from the normal display circuit – where we can bring XH558 to more people in what will be her Farewell Season to flight."
It is expected to cost £50,000 to complete the tour, and in order to get the Vulcan in the air for as many people as possible to see, and avoid draining the group's scarce resources, they have been appealing for public donations to help fund the tour.
Last weekend visitors to the Cosford Air Show were treated to a display by the aircraft, held in honour of Sir Jack Hayward on what would have been his 92nd birthday. A former RAF pilot, Sir Jack donated £500,000 to the trust which was instrumental in getting the Vulcan back in the air.
Once XH558 has been retired from flight, it will be housed in a new state-of-the-art facility at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster, Sheffield, known as the Vulcan Aviation Academy and Heritage Centre.
The centre is a joint venture between The Vulcan to the Sky Trust and Aviation Skills Partnership, and will provide a centre of excellence to the aviation industry for education and skills training.
More specific timings for the tour will be available on the day, and the website will be updated regularly.
Andy Marson, 64, is a navigator who has flown on XH558 and says it is a fantastic aircraft. He said: "
I describe it as an inverse Tardis, in that it looks massive from outside, but there is very little room inside.
"But it's a lovely aircraft and the first thing you notice in the cockpit is the smell, a mix of rubber, hydraulic fluid and aviation fuel." For information on the farewell tour visit vulcantothesky.org
