Last Chance to See this Iconic Aircraft.
by Jim Hollands.
I first came into close contact with a Vulcan Bomber when I was doing my National Service at RAF Andover in 1958. It did a low fly past over the airfield where a special afternoon was arranged to celebrate Battle of Britain Day. I remember being impressed by it’s power as the pilot turned up the throttles and powered it into an almost vertical climb. The noise was unbelievable.
I did not see that manoeuvre again until 55 years later when Vulcan bomber, XH558, the last remaining aircraft of its type still flying, came to Rye and did an amazing display cumulating in that same power climb into the sky over Leasam that I had witness all those years before at Andover.
It was a magic moment that will never be repeated. The crash of the vintage Hawker Hunter near Chichester, with such a tragic loss of life, put an end to any type of aerobatics by vintage planes.
The Vulcan was already on her last year of flying and is to be retired after her next flight which will be on Sunday 11 October. The final flight will pass just a few miles inland from Rye so those wanting just one more glimpse of this magnificent aircraft should find a spot to bid this fine example of British aircraft design farewell.
“Rye’s Own” Bulletin 8 October 2015
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