5 ms·

Last flying Avro Vulcan enters her final season

39 points by jsingleton 11y ago

tonyedgecombe 11y ago
I saw this plane flying while I was visiting York today, it's still a remarkable sight.
arethuza 11y ago
Vulcans are probably some of the few foreign strategic bombers to have flown attacks on US cities in exercises - they had relatively little difficulty penetrating US defenses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Skyshield http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Skyshield I remember as a kid watching a Vulcan doing aerobatics above the small Scottish village I grew up in - the sight of a huge aircraft being thrown around was quite stunning but what I really remember was the noise - I don't think any other aircraft I have heard (including Concorde) made such an incredible noise. Edit: It wasn't just the fact that it was loud, very loud, it was that Vulcans make a very spooky wail/howl when their engines are close to full power.
- Zancarius 11y ago
  I'm more than a little disappointed about this news, having watched some of the various interviews and such related to the restoration project of XH558 along with tons of Youtube footage taken from airshows in the UK. But, I also understand their reasoning. It doesn't make me any less sad! I just wish I had taken the chance to watch her fly. The Vulcan is a gorgeous aircraft. > Edit: It wasn't just the fact that it was loud, very loud, it was that Vulcans make a very spooky wail/howl when their engines are close to full power. This reminds me. I live in an area that was once home to the F-22. Their engines made similar ghastly noises during maneuvring, which I suspect was due to the shape of the inlets. It'd scare the tar out of the household pets when they were flying night missions and usually get the neighborhood dogs worked up in a tizzy. I rather miss it! Hilariously, residents complained to the USAF about the persistent sonic booms from the F-22 training missions, and were later relieved when they were recently replaced with a wing of F-16s. Now that training has resumed (along with the sonic booms), I can only imagine what those same people must be thinking. ;)
- walshemj 11y ago
  Apparently the best effect was the scramble on full 105% power by the on standby nuclear armed Vulcans.
- TheOtherHobbes 11y ago
  Can confirm the noise was like nothing else on earth. I was a plane spotter as a kid, and I remember seeing the Vulcan at air shows a few times. But... I've moved on. It's an amazing plane, but now I can't forget that it's a machine designed to kill millions of people, and it never had any other purpose.
sswaner 11y ago
I think the Black Buck missions during the Falklands war are among the most impressive combat missions of any conflict. The most comparable mission I can think of is the Doolittle raid in WW2. But, considering the technical complexity, environment and potential for disaster, Black Buck was much more risky. Back in the 90's I spent many hours playing Harpoon, a naval and air war simulator. It was easy in a game to send planes on a mission to the far limits of range and capability, bombers that flew past fighter cover with little or no radar coverage. That such a "crazy" mission was actually done is very impressive. Sad to see the last one stop flying, wish I could travel to the UK to see and hear it in person. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Black_Buck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Black_Buck
- iwwr 11y ago
  Impressively done logistically and came up as a complete surprise to the Argentinians, but had no effect militarily. The mission also exemplified the rocket equation with aircraft. The under-construction airport in St. Helena is probably a legacy of that conflict, since British planners need an airport closer to the Falklands than the one in Ascension (should the island fall again).
neverminder 11y ago
Always reminds me of Thunderball.
prestonbriggs 11y ago
I saw one fly at an airshow near Houston, maybe 30 years ago. Completely cool, and more than a little spooky.
chanandler_bong 11y ago
I am deeply saddened that I cannot find a schedule that will allow me to see XH558 in her final season. I've been a contributor to her maintenance and upkeep for the last few years. The license plate on my motorbike is "XH558" in her honour. I only saw a Vulcan flying once, when I was five years old at the Abbotsford BC air show. It made a massive impression on me that I still (obviously) hold to this day. YouTube videos of the "Vulcan Howl" are a poor substitute for that memory. Setting aside politics and moral discussions about warfare and nuclear weapons, the Vulcan represents the pinnacle of British power and global authority. It is the culmination and distillation of the essence of "Rule Britannia". Yes, the Royal Navy Vanguard's have greater destructive power and (arguable) applicability in the modern era, but they lack the visual presence and and iconic stature. Thankfully, the Vulcan To The Sky foundation will keep and preserve XH558 and continue their educational mission.
xixixao 11y ago
This must be where the TIE Fighter got its sound from.
icanhackit 11y ago
Wow I'd never seen nor heard of the V-bombers [0] before and, while the Vulcan looks incredible, the Handley Page Victor [1, Image][2, Wiki] is otherworldly. The Brits had some interesting gear. [0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_bomber http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_bomber [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Handley_Page_HP-80_Victor_K2_AN1103895.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Handley_Page_HP-80_Victor_... [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Victor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Victor
- arethuza 11y ago
  Shame we never purchased the TSR2 - it was a fantastic machine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAC_TSR-2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAC_TSR-2
Erwin 11y ago
It's quite a loud plane, and a lot of fun to see it take off at an airshow. It has a distinctive howling sound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ARSE8jEHQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ARSE8jEHQ It's hard to believe it's 50 years old when you see it maneuver like that. Then again it was surprising to me how powerful and agile an empty A380 or other passenger plane is (check out A380 or A400 Farnborough airshow videos)
draegtun 11y ago
Brings back memories and completely forgot about the sound! Use to see them pretty much everyday while at primary school (near Northolt Airport).

39 points by jsingleton 11y ago

I saw this plane flying while I was visiting York today, it's still a remarkable sight.

Vulcans are probably some of the few foreign strategic bombers to have flown attacks on US cities in exercises - they had relatively little difficulty penetrating US defenses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Skyshield http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Skyshield I remember as a kid watching a Vulcan doing aerobatics above the small Scottish village I grew up in - the sight of a huge aircraft being thrown around was quite stunning but what I really remember was the noise - I don't think any other aircraft I have heard (including Concorde) made such an incredible noise. Edit: It wasn't just the fact that it was loud, very loud, it was that Vulcans make a very spooky wail/howl when their engines are close to full power.

Zancarius 11y ago
I'm more than a little disappointed about this news, having watched some of the various interviews and such related to the restoration project of XH558 along with tons of Youtube footage taken from airshows in the UK. But, I also understand their reasoning. It doesn't make me any less sad! I just wish I had taken the chance to watch her fly. The Vulcan is a gorgeous aircraft. > Edit: It wasn't just the fact that it was loud, very loud, it was that Vulcans make a very spooky wail/howl when their engines are close to full power. This reminds me. I live in an area that was once home to the F-22. Their engines made similar ghastly noises during maneuvring, which I suspect was due to the shape of the inlets. It'd scare the tar out of the household pets when they were flying night missions and usually get the neighborhood dogs worked up in a tizzy. I rather miss it! Hilariously, residents complained to the USAF about the persistent sonic booms from the F-22 training missions, and were later relieved when they were recently replaced with a wing of F-16s. Now that training has resumed (along with the sonic booms), I can only imagine what those same people must be thinking. ;)
walshemj 11y ago
Apparently the best effect was the scramble on full 105% power by the on standby nuclear armed Vulcans.
TheOtherHobbes 11y ago
Can confirm the noise was like nothing else on earth. I was a plane spotter as a kid, and I remember seeing the Vulcan at air shows a few times. But... I've moved on. It's an amazing plane, but now I can't forget that it's a machine designed to kill millions of people, and it never had any other purpose.

sswaner 11y ago

I think the Black Buck missions during the Falklands war are among the most impressive combat missions of any conflict. The most comparable mission I can think of is the Doolittle raid in WW2. But, considering the technical complexity, environment and potential for disaster, Black Buck was much more risky. Back in the 90's I spent many hours playing Harpoon, a naval and air war simulator. It was easy in a game to send planes on a mission to the far limits of range and capability, bombers that flew past fighter cover with little or no radar coverage. That such a "crazy" mission was actually done is very impressive. Sad to see the last one stop flying, wish I could travel to the UK to see and hear it in person. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Black_Buck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Black_Buck

iwwr 11y ago
Impressively done logistically and came up as a complete surprise to the Argentinians, but had no effect militarily. The mission also exemplified the rocket equation with aircraft. The under-construction airport in St. Helena is probably a legacy of that conflict, since British planners need an airport closer to the Falklands than the one in Ascension (should the island fall again).

neverminder 11y ago

Always reminds me of Thunderball.

prestonbriggs 11y ago

I saw one fly at an airshow near Houston, maybe 30 years ago. Completely cool, and more than a little spooky.

chanandler_bong 11y ago

I am deeply saddened that I cannot find a schedule that will allow me to see XH558 in her final season. I've been a contributor to her maintenance and upkeep for the last few years. The license plate on my motorbike is "XH558" in her honour. I only saw a Vulcan flying once, when I was five years old at the Abbotsford BC air show. It made a massive impression on me that I still (obviously) hold to this day. YouTube videos of the "Vulcan Howl" are a poor substitute for that memory. Setting aside politics and moral discussions about warfare and nuclear weapons, the Vulcan represents the pinnacle of British power and global authority. It is the culmination and distillation of the essence of "Rule Britannia". Yes, the Royal Navy Vanguard's have greater destructive power and (arguable) applicability in the modern era, but they lack the visual presence and and iconic stature. Thankfully, the Vulcan To The Sky foundation will keep and preserve XH558 and continue their educational mission.

xixixao 11y ago

This must be where the TIE Fighter got its sound from.

icanhackit 11y ago

Wow I'd never seen nor heard of the V-bombers [0] before and, while the Vulcan looks incredible, the Handley Page Victor [1, Image][2, Wiki] is otherworldly. The Brits had some interesting gear. [0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_bomber http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_bomber [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Handley_Page_HP-80_Victor_K2_AN1103895.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Handley_Page_HP-80_Victor_... [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Victor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Victor

arethuza 11y ago
Shame we never purchased the TSR2 - it was a fantastic machine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAC_TSR-2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAC_TSR-2

Erwin 11y ago

It's quite a loud plane, and a lot of fun to see it take off at an airshow. It has a distinctive howling sound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ARSE8jEHQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ARSE8jEHQ It's hard to believe it's 50 years old when you see it maneuver like that. Then again it was surprising to me how powerful and agile an empty A380 or other passenger plane is (check out A380 or A400 Farnborough airshow videos)

draegtun 11y ago

Brings back memories and completely forgot about the sound! Use to see them pretty much everyday while at primary school (near Northolt Airport).