Looks like its all over after one season of Air displays
''Last flight for mother of Concorde?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - VTTS
The world’s only flying Avro Vulcan may be destined for a flight into retirement this week, after her last scheduled take-off of 2008 from Farnborough Airport in Hampshire.
Following a fifteen year, £7million restoration project part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Vulcan XH558 triumphantly returned to air displays around Britain this summer, only to become a potential victim of the economic crisis affecting so many heritage activities.
The reception by the public of the Vulcan around the country during the summer has been nothing less than astounding, with the media reporting a huge "Vulcan Effect": air show audiences surging, and a rapturous response wherever she appears.
The Avro Vulcan, originally designed in the late 1940’s, spawned many of the technologies subsequently used on modern aircraft. With her famous "delta" shape and Olympus jet engines, the Vulcan is the mother of the much-loved Concorde supersonic airliner. The RAF’s Vulcans acted as the nation's guardian against aggression during the Cold War and as such Vulcan XH558 is a most powerful symbol of the value and importance of deterrence.
XH558 is now the centrepiece of a whole set of new educational activities that are designed to stimulate school children’s interest in science, engineering and technology.
Dr Robert Pleming, Vulcan to the Sky Trust Chief Executive, says: "Vulcan XH558 is the last and greatest example of the British aeroplane industry’s creations to be restored to flight, and is an inspiration to today’s youngsters of what imagination and determination can achieve.
Once again, we appeal to the public to help ensure that 2008 doesn’t turn out to be the swansong of the mighty Vulcan. But this time, the help we need most is your vote to keep the Vulcan flying. Please visit our website www.vulcantothesky.com "
