The Autumn Airshow at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, which this year is taking place on Sunday 5^th October, traditionally brings down the curtain on the season. It is always a joyous and celebratory occasion and Vulcan to the Sky had hoped to make it even more special this year by bringing XH558 to the party. Unfortunately this will not now be possible due to technical problems with her No 2 engine.

This year Vulcan to the Sky have succeeded in fulfilling their promise to bring XH558 back to the people. Making her long awaited return at Waddington in July the aircraft has toured the country; as far South as Jersey, North West to Southport, North to Leuchars in Scotland and East to Lowestoft; which was the jewel in the crown of the aircraft’s displays, with two days of glorious sunshine and record crowds. Eight days at Farnborough also gave both the aviation trade and the world’s media the opportunity to see the ‘Vulcan Effect’ at first hand. It is estimated that well over 1 million people have seen XH558 this summer and, as a result, attendances at airshows have increased in anticipation of seeing this icon of the skies by at least 20%, and that does not include all of those who parked by the roadside and looked skyward in awe and emotion.

Andrew Edmondson, Director of Engineering at Vulcan to the Sky said

“It has been absolutely terrific to see the reaction of the crowds watching the Vulcan flying at airshows. The sheer numbers of people who have turned up to see this much-loved and admired aircraft just shows how much XH558 is valued and remembered as a true hero of British aviation. The public seems to be taking the Vulcan to their hearts in the same way as Concorde was. Without the generosity of the public, and support from sponsors and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Vulcan would certainly have remained in early retirement. “

However, the dream of the Vulcan to the Sky team of continuing to showcase XH558 for the next decade is in real danger as Andrew explains:

“I just hope that now we will be able to continue to bring the aircraft to many more shows and enable the younger generation to see not only a superb example of British engineering but a living part of our history. XH558 is the only Vulcan in the world that can fly. But there is a big barrier that may prevent us from achieving our objective; without the support of commercial sponsorship, millions of people may be denied the experience of seeing this awesome aircraft in the air again!”

“After all of the hard work, dedication, commitment and effort that has been put in by all of the team, this would be devastating. By returning XH558 to flight after years of painstaking restoration, negotiation and fundraising, we have already achieved what was widely considered to be impossible and we have proved that we can fly and operate XH558 successfully. For this amazing project to falter due to a lack of funding would be agonising for all the team and our supporters. However we do hope that it will at least prove possible to display XH558 at one more prestigious event before she settles back into her hangar for winter servicing.”

Michael Trotter, Business Development Director continued;

“As we come towards the end of our first season back on the airshow circuit, everyone in the team is exhausted but exhilarated that all of the hard work of the last few years has finally delivered this iconic aircraft back to the nation”

“However this is tempered somewhat because the project remains on a knife edge as we still struggle to find a secure source of ongoing funding. It is extremely frustrating that, having returned XH558 to the display circuit and demonstrated the now famous ‘Vulcan Effect’ at major airshows - increased visitors, sell out crowds and recruitment to the Vulcan to the Sky Club – that we have not attracted a major sponsor to provide us with long term security. People should now be in no doubt that without such funding this may turn out to be the first, and, sadly, the last flying season for XH558 and that would be a tragedy”

To find out more about the range of very real corporate sponsorship opportunities that are available for companies and individuals to consider, please call Michael on 07803 141483

For further information about Vulcan to the Sky please refer to our website at www.vulcantothesky.com