The star of Farnborough – Vulcan Bomber XH558

For many seeing XH558 up close will be worth the entry ticket to Farnborough Airshow alone. For others, perhaps some of our younger residents might never have heard of XH558. Indeed if you ask most young people what a Vulcan is, they are more likely to say someone who comes from the planet Vulcan, like Spock.

Vulcan XH558 opens the Franborough Airshow with the Red Arrows - Image with thanks Paul Dopson/Flight Global

But for those of us who know the history of the Falklands Conflict will probably associate the Vulcan Bomber with Operation Black Buck. This mission involved flying incredibly long range bombing missions by the Vulcan from RAF Ascension Island with the aim of bombing Argentine held positions on the Falklands.

These missions were a logistical nightmare involving no fewer than 11 air to air refuelling sorties from converted Hadley Page Victor Bombers.

The Vulcan Bomber is a relic of the Cold War. The Delta Wing aircraft was in service with the RAF from 1953 to 1984 and was part of the V Bomber Force and was at the front line of the nuclear deterrent against the Soviet Union.

XH558 has stole the show at Farnborough 2010 - Image with thanks Paul Dopson/Flight Global

If you ask anyone who has been to the Airshow already, they will tell you that the real star of the Farnborough 2010 is XH558.

The history behind this incredible aircraft can’t be over estimated and far to long to post here. But to cut a very long story short:

• XH558 was the first Vulcan B.Mk2 to be delivered to the RAF on 1st July 1960
• She was the last Vulcan to leave RAF service, flying on from 1986 to 1993 as the single RAF Display Vulcan, a career of 33 years
• Her final flight was on 23rd March 1993 to Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in Leicestershire, having been sold off by the Ministry of Defense
• In 1997, a small team headed by Dr Robert Pleming started to put together an audacious plan to return her to flight, but it was clear from the start that the project would be technically challenging & enormously expensive
• First estimates were that over £3.5million would be required to pay for the restoration
• A successful bid was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund, who in December 2003 announced a grant of £2.7million for XH558’s restoration
• On 31st August 2006, XH558 rolled out of the hanger for the first time in 7 years. This coincided with a critical funding crisis but in August with incredible tenacity the Vulcan To The Sky Trust managed to raise over £1.3 million required to save the project.
• Following extensive tests, XH558 Olympus engines were fired up for the first  time in August 2007.
• After £7 million spent, and after 14 years since its last flight roared in to the air again.
• On 3rd July 2008 XH558 was granted her permit to fly and made her first public appearance 2 days later at the Waddington Airshow.

It is difficult to put into words the awesome accomplishment of The Vulcan To The Sky Trust but if you go down to the Vulcan Village at the Farnborough Airshow this weekend I guarantee you will be inspired by all the volunteers who dedicate their spare time to keeping XH558 in the air.

XH558 will be appearing on both Public Days at 2010 Farnborough Airshow - Image with thanks Paul Dopson/Flight Global

The project also does amazing work at community level with their educational objectives, which are two fold:

• Help people to understand the history of the Cold War (1946 – 1991)
• Inspire our youth in technology

Vulcan in the Sky Trust will be embarking upon visits to Schools, colleges, youth clubs, Cadet Forces and other youth related organisations to talk about the technological achievements of getting XH558 back into the air. They will also be supplying educational packs to teachers and youth leaders. In so doing the hope is to inspire young people to pursue a career in aerospace or technology.

XH558 only has a few years left in the air. The airframe and engines only have until 2013. The aim after this time is continue the educational program and to continue to inspire.

However, the trust only has sufficient funds to keep XH558 in the air until September 2010.

We can all help, in a number of ways to keep XH558 in the air until her time is up and ensure her legacy continues to inspire to find out more download the XH558 information leaflet.

If you are at the Farnborough Airshow then a must see is the Vulcan Village. You will be able to get up close to the Vulcan and if you want you can also buy some seriously cool souvenirs, which will help the trust. XH558 volunteers will also be on hand to answer your questions.

Tickets for the airshow can be bought at the gate for £30 per adult. Children under 16 go free.