JohnB wrote:I thought that engines were also a limiting factor...since FOD destroyed a pair...or was it a complete set?
But I would have rather seem the millions of pounds go to restoration or recreation of extinct types, rather than just making noise/pollution and photo ops for a few years.
A restored aircraft would be with us forever...come on, build a Stirling or restore a Halifax...or give money to Just Jane to make her airworthy...
I'm lucky enough to have seen been around Vulcans in my youth and to have seen them a great deal, but I still find it a supremely impressive aircraft (and if you're worried about noise/pollution I think you're on the wrong forum!). But the stark fact is that in many cases, the ONLY reason that folks young and old attend a UK airshow is to see the Vulcan fly (and to a lesser extent, to watch the Red Arrows). It was noticeable a few years back at the Bournemouth Air Show how crowds thinned out considerably following the Vulcan display, and the talk, even among the non-aviation attendees, was about when the Vulcan would arrive.
Also, as a means of educating the public about the Cold War, the Vulcan is a massive educational tool. Luckily there are a few other Cold War aircraft being flown now (and some, like the B-52H are still in service!).
Unfortunately I do concede that the operating organization don't seem too hot on the basic PR, but they are volunteers (mostly) after all. And also don't forget that much of XH558's running costs are made up of public donations, so there is further proof that people want that Tin Triangle firmly in the air.
SJ