Vulcan Bomber XH558 - Crisis!

[Sweetpea]

Vulcan Flies Into New Funding Crisis

Vulcan Flies Into New Funding Crisis - Tuesday 4 March 2008

When Avro Vulcan XH558 returned to the skies on 18th October 2007, it was widely expected that a major sponsor would come forward to support her return to the Air Display circuit this summer.

Unfortunately, potential sponsors have drawn in their purse-strings and the chances of seeing this iconic & truly awesome 'V' bomber fly through the Summer of 2008 are in jeopardy. With a fixed overhead of three month's work required to ready the aircraft and its crew for air displays, the lack of funding is now critical if she is to be ready for the display season.

Dr Robert Pleming, Chief Executive of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust explains:

"We plan to restart the test-flight programme at the beginning of March, but we will need £150,000 in our hands beforehand, plus confidence that we will continue to raise at least £50,000 per month after that."

"For each week that these proving flights are delayed through lack of funding, the first display appearance is also pushed back by another week. What we are asking the public for now is a fraction of what we have raised already, but it is needed very urgently."

"We are determined that this unique & iconic delta-winged bomber will thrill crowds across the UK during the Summer of 2008. By returning XH558 to flight after years of painstaking restoration, negotiation & fund-raising, we have already achieved what was widely considered impossible. For the project to falter due to lack of funding at this late stage would be agonising."

Over £6million has been spent on returning Vulcan XH558 to flight, of which £2.7million has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The rest - the majority - has come from public donations, making XH558 truly the public's aircraft. Keith Mans,

Chairman of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust agrees:

"Once again, we are dependent on the goodwill of others to ensure that XH558, the people's aircraft, continues to fly. In August 2006, the public responded magnificently to our plea for support, and as the result of the £1.3million donated, XH558 took to the air last October. We are praying that the public will rise to the somewhat smaller challenge we now face, and help us by making a donation today, to ensure that we are able to keep our promise to give XH558 back to the Nation this summer"

Donations may be sent to:
VTST,
Bruntingthorpe Airfield,
Lutterworth,
Leicestershire,
LE17 5QS,

or by 'phone to 0116 247 8145

Companies who want to take advantage of the very real corporate sponsorship opportunities should contact Michael Trotter on 07803 141483.

More information on the project can be found at Vulcan to the Sky Trust - Avro Vulcan Bomber XH558 - Vulcan Operating Company.

To arrange interviews and /or photo opportunities please call Richard Clarke on 0771 4898548

My donation is on the way.

[Sweetpea]

Thanks. We have to do it.

[Sweetpea]

Thanks to donations and whatever else was achieved, it looks like the Vulcan will definately be flying at the Waddington airshow. I'll certainly be there, will you?

BBC NEWS | UK | Vulcan bomber takes to skies

[poppy]

Named the same year Hillery climbed Everest and the coronation, I hate these decisions
1/ If it flies it creates pollution, the flights aren't really necessary so it it is unnecessary pollution.

2/ I love this lump of metal, I grew up with it, it won't fly that often, that bit won't make too much difference in the great scheme of things.

3/ I'm in. cant let it die, can we.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by poppy

Named the same year Hillery climbed Everest and the coronation, I hate these decisions
1/ If it flies it creates pollution, the flights aren't really necessary so it it is unnecessary pollution.

2/ I love this lump of metal, I grew up with it, it won't fly that often, that bit won't make too much difference in the great scheme of things.

3/ I'm in. cant let it die, can we.

And, someone gorgeous, sensitive, intelligent and incredible was born....

[poppy]

mmmmm now let me think Who on earth could that be

[ambriel]

I'm not *that* old!!!

[Bruv]

Moi ?

Originally Posted by Bruv2

Moi ?

No. You were around to remember the last time atomic clocks went wrong.