Vulcan Bomber
- 3 September 2012 15:13189700It is still a great plane and there is still a use for them in the R.A.F. And like the jump jet they should bring them both back.
- 3 September 2012 16:36189712Think the Vulcan is a bit past it's sell-by date Vic - furst flew in 1952 and were all retired by 1984 and are all now museum pieces
Been nice knowing you :) - 3 September 2012 17:49189724I can understand your emotional attachment Vic as they are wonderful machines. It was striking to look at as it thundered through Dover. I was gobsmacked..as I have never seen one before in the flesh as it were, so they take your breath away.
Here is a crop of the frontpage pic...
But as Scotchie says there they really are museum pieces now, wonderful museum pieces but still museum pieces. A crew wouldnt have a chance with that ponderous technology nowadays.email: dover7@msn.com - 3 September 2012 17:52189726Great photos on the front Page PaulB
, I met the pilot at the Farnborough Airshow in July this year and posted up a rare picture taken inside the cockpit, he is a really nice chap and also the great group of volunteers who keep the aircraft airworthy for all to see. 
- 3 September 2012 17:56189728I dont know if you have that photo to hand now Barry..would all love to see it again.
email: dover7@msn.com - 3 September 2012 18:52189735
Here it is - 3 September 2012 20:28189762Could have bombed Folkestone road .
- 3 September 2012 20:33189765Truely a magnificent sight as it flow over Boland Towers and off over the white cliffs, not something you see every sunday afternoon thats for sure.
- 3 September 2012 21:12189766My father flew both Vulcans and Valiants during the 50s and 60s. I can remember the noise as they took off- deafening. We lived within a few hundred yards of the runway both at Marham and Finningley. Despite the size of the planes, the crew quarters were incredibly tight. My father used to say that getting into the captain's seat was like climbing into the driving seat of a car through the rear window.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 3 September 2012 21:29189771No Valiants survive, unfortunately, but the history of 214 Sq might interest some of you.
http://www.214squadron.org.uk/History_the_valiant_years.htm
My father captained the record breaking flight in WZ390 to Changi in 1960. His UK-Singapore record of 15h35min stood until Singapore Airlines took delivery of a 747-400 in 1989.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson - 3 September 2012 21:44189783There is one Valiant in existance Peter - this is the one I saw at Cosford a couple of years back
Been nice knowing you :) - 3 September 2012 21:52189786XD818 in anti-flash white. Don't know if Dad ever flew that one; XD818 dropped our only test hydrogen bomb and my father followed through the mushroom cloud in another Valiant collecting air samples. All the crew of the second plane died of cancer. My father was the last to go, in August 2000.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 4 September 2012 08:23189851Great stuff there lads..fascinating stories there Peter. Must have been one hell of a thrilling experience seeing these planes take off first hand living so close by..and as for your father flying them ..well.. wow! Great stuff!
Well done with the pictures Scotchie and Barry W-S.
Gordon Bennett look at that cockpit!
email: dover7@msn.com - 5 September 2012 22:21190194They flew over us regularly in Lincoln, and I had a friend who was an AEO (Air Electronics Officer) in a crew.
Conditions were quite cramped inside the plane and they used to get regular 3-minute take-offs, never knowing if it was for real or practise.
He used to say: We're only here for war!
Several airfields near where we lived, quite close to Scampton, and not far from Waddington and Swinderby, and Coningsby.---------------------------------------------------
Lincolnshire Born and Bred
