Names under XH558 s Wing commemorative plaque to mark 10 th Anniversary of first post-restoration flight

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1 August 4 th 2017 For immediate release Names under XH558 s Wing commemorative plaque to mark 10 th Anniversary of first post-restoration flight Exclusive opportunity to have a name inscribed on Vulcan XH558 s Wing announced. The Vulcan to the Sky Trust has announced the opportunity to have names inscribed permanently on the underside of Vulcan XH558 s Wing. This is to mark the imminent 10 th Anniversary of the aircraft s return to flight in October 2007 after perhaps the most complex and demanding aircraft restoration project ever completed anywhere in the world. It was only through the determination of a small team supported by thousands of willing donors and the vital assistance of technical partners that the Vulcan took to the skies again, 14½ years after her last flight in RAF service. Although sadly no longer permitted to fly, XH558 provided eight-years of incredible displays in front of millions of people, created a phenomenon that would become known as The Vulcan Effect, and set the benchmark for future restorations. Writing to supporters, Robert Pleming, who led the team, commented; We are determined to celebrate the achievement, as we aim to secure not only XH558 s future, but also the prospect of other heritage aviation projects. This opportunity to place names on the wing was not available to us before because MoD and CAA regulations on ex-military aircraft markings meant we had to keep her external appearance in as near to original RAF markings as possible. The only dispensation to this came in 2010, when on the occasion of her 50 th birthday, she was christened The Spirit of Great Britain as a mark of respect to all those that willed her back to flight, in recognition of the remarkable place she holds in historic aviation and the excellence of British aeronautical design and engineering. Vulcan XH558 can still pay a very important role as an icon of our aeronautical heritage and as a beacon for other heritage aviation projects in a new hangar that will give the aviation community and the wider general public access to aircraft like never before - with the exciting vision of a restoration and operating facility that will keep other heritage aircraft not only on display, but airborne and at air displays in the years to come. Once XH558 is settled in her new home, the Trust will turn its attention to the restoration of Canberra WK163; we are already considering the operation of other loaned aircraft on the display circuit next year, Robert declared. Two areas of grey on the wing have been allocated, upon which will be applied small silver letters to form the plaques, recognising the Tin anniversary of 10 years since that day. Only visible upon close viewing, these will not detract from the aesthetic appearance of the aircraft and will remain in place for her lifetime, being replaced if the surfaces are painted in future. To place a name on XH558 s Wing, the Trust is asking for a donation of 30 towards their ongoing work, and the offer comes with the added benefit of a dedicated commemorative certificate as a receipt. If you are a UK Tax Payer, there is also the facility to award Gift Aid to the charity, increasing your donation to without costing you any extra. Robert continued: As well as individual supporters, we are already finding people are donating to give these as gifts, or are honouring relatives and friends in memoriam. Since the anniversary is imminent, the opportunity closes at midnight on Sunday 1 st October to allow all the names to be collated, artwork produced and then printed to be installed ready for the full unveiling on Wednesday 18 th October. This will be streamed over the internet and a full searchable listing will be provided on the website.

2 Support for this plaque will contribute to the Trust s work to secure the new home for XH558 and build a brighter future for heritage aircraft preservation, restoration and operation. You can go straight to the dedicated page to place your desired name on Vulcan XH558 s Wing by visiting Images related to the Names under XH558 s Wing The names will be discreetly added on the underside of XH558 s Wing, here seen clearly when on a photoshoot in 2015 over The Solent. Middle: a test panel placed on the aircraft. Right: the certificate that all donors will receive in addition to their name being placed on the aircraft. (Picture of XH558 John Dibbs) Further updates on the aircraft and new building will be announced in the Trust s regular Friday newsletters. You can sign-up to these newsletters at Follow XH558 on where we will be tweeting amazing Vulcan videos. Join the XH558 Facebook community: NEWS RELEASE ENDS:

3 Press enquiries For more details or to arrange interviews with key Trust members Richard Clarke +44 (0) Press and PR Manager Ian Homer +44 (0) A wide selection of high-resolution images is available from upon request. Please or call if more urgent deadline on: See below for images and background information. Vulcan XH558 s first post-restoration flight take-off on 18 th October Charles Toop

4 Vulcan XH558 was given eight more flying seasons by Vulcan to the Sky Trust, thrilling around two million people a year at the events she attended. She landed for the last time on October 28th, Eight seasons of dramatic display flying made Vulcan XH558 the UK s most popular aircraft. Top image, credit Jamie Hunter Lower image, credit Steve Comber February 1 st, Vulcan XH558 was towed from Cold War hangar home and placed in storage while a new visitor centre is developed to house her. Credit Luke Webster Architect s concepts for the new visitor centre and engineering facility that will provide a new home for Vulcan XH558 and Canberra WK163. Dr Robert Pleming, former chief executive, Vulcan to the Sky Trust, has moved to a part-time oversight role as part of the cost savings.

5 Why is the Vulcan Important? The Avro Vulcan is a powerful example of British aerospace engineering at its world-beating best. The design brief was issued by the MoD in 1946 and the prototype flew for the first time on August 30 th 1952, just eleven years after the first flight of its predecessor, the Avro Lancaster. Its impressive list of technical achievements includes being the first successful large delta wing aircraft (leading directly to Concorde), innovations such as electrically-powered flying controls, one of the first applications of antilock brakes (similar to those on the Jensen FF) and a speed and agility that was so close to a jet fighter s that it was given a fighter-style control column in place of the traditional bomber pilot s yoke. Success as a Cold War peacekeeper meant that Vulcans might have flown their entire service life without ever entering combat if it hadn t been for the Falklands Conflict in During a marathon 8,000 mile flight in Vulcan XM607, supported by eleven Victor tankers, Martin Withers and his crew released the bombs over Port Stanley Airport that prevented Argentina operating its Mirage III fighters from the island and initiated the campaign that recaptured the Falklands. Two years later, the last Vulcans were withdrawn from service. Until October 28 th 2015, XH558 was the only surviving Vulcan with full airworthiness. Returned to the air in 2007 following one of the world s most challenging technical restoration programmes, she quickly became an airshow phenomenon. People forget that airshows attract seven million people annually. As a spectator activity, that s second only to football, says Dr Robert Pleming. Martin Withers DFC, is a passionate supporter of the educational role of the aircraft. Part of our mission is to ensure that young people learn about the knife-edge fear of the Cold War, he explains. If I had been ordered to press the button that releases the nuclear payload over our enemy, there would almost certainly have been no Britain left to fly home to. The Vulcan is the most powerful symbol of a remarkable period in global history that we must never forget. Pleming also highlights the aircraft s growing role in technical education. The Vulcan is one of the most significant steps forward in aerospace technology, and it is thoroughly British. She fires young people with a passion for engineering and innovation. We intend to build on those qualities to inspire the new generations of engineers that Britain needs so badly.