XH558 Farewell Tour

[ejoiner]

Hi guys, was reading on Facebook that Xh558, the last flying Avro Vulcan bomber (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Vulcan_XH558), is making a farewell tour around the UK. Below are the two routes this tin triangle will take in touring the UK. I thought this might make a very interesting flight plan in virtual tribute if you want to try it. In fact, might make an interesting screen shot tribute as well. Anybody want to flight plan this and post the flight plan as a download for all to try?


http://imageshack.com/a/img911/8776/uT1MtL.jpg

[Navy Chief]

It is sad to see that majestic aircraft be permanently retired. Great idea though, Eric! :encouragement: Pete

[ian elliot]

1340 at Manston tomorrow, on the way down to Dover, hopefully right over my head, i know just the right spot to watch and say goodbye :encouragement:

cheers ian

[Dutcheeseblend]

I've seen her once, at the Airforce Days at Volkel AB, hoped to see it once more but alas! Such a nice bird!

On the other hand, there's a much more spectacular flying bird to fly for me in the future :D

[Roger]

As you can see from my avatar I live close to Avro's Woodford and caught two glimpses of the Vulc this afternoon. Such a shame we can't keep her flying.

[ejoiner]

So I took her for a spin according to todays flight plan. It was a bit hard to find some of the turning points and smaller villages.

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/977/gfGl5e.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img905/461/psPex1.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img633/121/P3vt5j.jpg


http://imageshack.com/a/img909/7420/OpM7ep.jpg

[DaveB]

Saw her by chance today.. undoubtedly enroute Cosford-East Midlands looking at that plan. Didn't realise today and tomorrow were her last outings.

ATB
DaveB:)

[Ian Warren]

Well least we can drive it around in FSX for a lot longer, it is a lot off fun driving this one around.

[511Flyer]

I'm hoping to catch her at Dunsfold this afternoon.

Den.

[expat]

1340 at Manston tomorrow, on the way down to Dover, hopefully right over my head, i know just the right spot to watch and say goodbye

Ian, as a fellow Man of Kent, I am trying to determine the flight path it will fly from Ashford to Dunsfold and try to catch a last glimpse of this wonderful aircraft.

[Motormouse]

Saw her by chance today.. undoubtedly enroute Cosford-East Midlands looking at that plan. Didn't realise today and tomorrow were her last outings.

ATB
DaveB:)

Hi Dave, they're not, according to website they have a couple more outings planned for later this month.

Should be over my house @ 3pm today ��

Ttfn

Pete

[511Flyer]

Just home from Dunsfold, and we saw her. She approached from the south, and flew over the airfield at right angles to the runway. She then made a tight LH turn and came back over the airfield. A waggle of the wings, and she was gone. Headed up over the Hogs Back to Farnborough.

She was due at 14.10, and arrived at 14.14. At 14.20, it was all over.

Den.

[ian elliot]

Not the best shot of 558, but unfortunately the last, cutting across Manston, north to south and flying down the coast over Sandwich and on to Dover, laid on a little smoke for us aswell :applause:, good turnout of well wishers also----

Hope you got lucky Expat, Ashford to Dunsfold probably take's you directly over Gatwick, so im guessing they had to go the long way round

[ejoiner]

Not the best shot of 558, but unfortunately the last, cutting across Manston, north to south and flying down the coast over Sandwich and on to Dover, laid on a little smoke for us aswell :applause:, good turnout of well wishers also----

Hope you got lucky Expat, Ashford to Dunsfold probably take's you directly over Gatwick, so im guessing they had to go the long way round


Thanks for that shot. I notice that the underside if X558 is also camoflaged, which is not the case with the IRIS bird of same registration. :(

[ian elliot]

Im not a 558 expert and i dont own the IRIS model, but RAF Vulcans did go through a number of camo patten change's, from around 1972, Vulcans usually had grey underside's, from the early 80's wrap-around schemes were introduced, 558 was in service from 1962 apparently, so you may have it in its 1970's colors.

cheers ian

[DaveWG]

Thanks for that shot. I notice that the underside if X558 is also camoflaged, which is not the case with the IRIS bird of same registration. :(

The Iris model comes with 2 XH558 paints, one is when she was converted to a K2 model, (pictured above) with camo top & grey underside, and one as she is now with full wrap around camo.

[DaveB]

Yup.. I just checked that to make sure I'd not lost the plot:encouragement:

ATB
DaveB:)

[ian elliot]

A good thread from my favorite spotter forum---

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=70037

cheers ian

[DaveB]

Nice thread Ian.. thanks for posting the link:encouragement:

ATB
DaveB:)

[511Flyer]

When we got home from Dunsfold, I managed to catch up with her on Flightradar24.com She was joined by another aircraft, which was identified as a Jet Provost. They flew together for some time, so I guess there was a photo shoot going on.


I took some screen snippets which I hope will show up here.



http://s26.postimg.org/4uonpe4ix/vulcan.jpg

http://s26.postimg.org/kipuw6k4p/vulcan3.jpg

http://s26.postimg.org/vwce7dund/vulcan4.jpg

http://s26.postimg.org/di6gh57qh/vulcan5.jpg

Den.

[ian elliot]

Cool,bet that was a nice formation to watch.

cheers ian

[ejoiner]

Would be great if there was some cockpit video of this farewell tour.

[DaveB]

I'd be surprised of some didn't appear after the final flight Eric. Fingers crossed;)
ATB
DaveB:)

[sketchy]

Would be great if there was some cockpit video of this farewell tour.

I think if I was in that Provost I would have begged, borrowed and stolen every GoPro I could have laid my hands on to get some inflight footage from all angles.

Here's hoping something turns up!

Cracking photos on the UK Airshow Thread.

[Jafo]

Living in Melbourne, Oz you don't get to see too many Vulcans....
Though in 1966 [50 years ago] one flew into YMEN - Essendon Airport [YMML didn't exist back then].
I was in first form at Essendon Grammar - directly under the N-S runway approach....and it was landing....so blotted out the sun...;)

I think that was the one and only time one flew to Oz ....;)

[511Flyer]

Hi Jafo. I Googled "Vulcans in Australia" Lots of information and photos there.

Den.

[IanHenry]

The BBC did an article on XH558 on yesterdays news:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34505010

I'm not sure if it will be available globally, you'll have to try it and see.

Ian

[Motormouse]

I think if I was in that Provost I would have begged, borrowed and stolen every GoPro I could have laid my hands on to get some inflight footage from all angles.

Here's hoping something turns up!

Cracking photos on the UK Airshow Thread.

One would assume that's exactly what was happening, according to the twitface feed it was photo sortie for the
winners of the raffle prize on Vulcan to the sky website.

Ttfn

Pete