Thrilled that I and my late father (Gp Capt Jack Pembridge) are proud owners of share in XH558. If anyone remembers him I would be so happy to hear from you. I will be contributing some of his memoirs to the magazine and attending the V-Force reunion this year, so hope to meet anyone with memories and stories there.

Worked with the Vulcans for 18 years including Red Flag and Maple Flag. I still get excited when I see one. I am very proud of all the Vulcan team for keeping one in the air.
I would love to visit on my next trip to UK.

Having served as a "fresh faced" newly qualified Junior Tech, Nav Inst at Waddington in 1973 and experienced the vibrations, smell, and wonder of a QRA start was fabulous. To see and hear this beautiful aerial maiden now, is awe inspiring and hopefully we all can keep her going for as long as possible. There is nothing to match this sight and sound. Working as a fire alarm engineer now, my support for the CLR fire suppression has been completed, another finger in the dam! Well done to all the engineering team and support functions.

After following XH588 during her fight to get back in the air and watching her first flight at bruntingthorpe it is wonderful to see she is still airworthy and hanging in there trying to maintain that status Why not ask Rchard Branson to pledge some cash *good luck to all at Vulcan to the Sky ex leicestershire supporter of you all .

great memories of the Vulcan landing in Gibraltar while i was serving in the Royal Navy (1982-1984)She was put down on a very short runway, but with so much grace.

I attended the IET lecture on the Vulcan, held in Cheltenham last week. The meeting was so popular that people had to sit in the aisles! This is certainly the best lecture this year (!) and probably last. Having worked on aircraft system design, I am amazed at the Vulcan's team achievement at re-certifying the plane for flight. Keep up the good work.

Hi remember vulcans victors at Raf gaydon a real sight to see them lined up. And to hear them taking of in bulk awesome. Keep her up there

my father Geoff Davies was at Scampoton in the 60's with the Vulcans,i was working in Lincoln years later and took a photo of the Vulcans on the runway and months later showed the photos to my dad and one of them was xl 426 the same one still going after all that time (his photo shows it in its former white paint work)i remember waking to the walls and windows rattling as they all flew off

Great website, I like it.

As a child my family was stationed in Khormaksar,near RAF airbase in Aden (former British Colony) and I used to frequently see Vulcan, Victor, Buccanear and many aircrafts during the anuual airshow. I am now in India and would like to be in touch with ex RAF officers who were in Aden. My mail id is j_bokdawalla@rediffmail.com. Salute to our mighty British Empire. Bye folks

My 4 year old son is so besotted with this plane, I have just had to paint a huge on on his bedroom wall!!

after seeing the monsterous vulcan at Raf witering last year she is my best plane aswell as the spitfire.
i really want to work with the vulcan when i am older. my mum got me a vulcan calender for 2012 so i can see the vulcan everyday now but i would realy like to hear the noise of the engins aswel as they are ver y loud. i would realy like to see the vulcan for real close up again. seb constable aged 7.

Hi Taff If you read this fella. Keep her up in the air mate.All the best Mark (29 CGY)

Just a BIG thank you to Roma & all at VTTS for my 1st Prize Flying Fund Draw I recieved this morning.

A very nice surprise indeed to start the year off. No doubt I'll probably plough most of it back into the Trust to keep our beautiful aircraft flying this year.

Thank You, and keep up the great work you're all doing there, myself and thousands of other people greatly appreciate it !.

Merry Christmas to everyone, I love this plane sooo much that I am getting the Airfix 1:72 Vulcan to the Sky kit which I hope will look fantastic once built (I would suggest this to anyone who likes arts and crafts and wants to have a challenge at building the best aircraft ever made). I can remember at the Yarmouth air show when this buety came past and stunned everyone with it's growl, and it was the highlight of the show, by far. Tia

A big merry christmas & best wishes to all the staff & members of xh558.thanx for all the hard work thats been put in this year. long may the iron lady keep flying. she maybe needed in other fields yet again? go get them girl.

Just voted for my fave video, difficult to choose as all footage of Vulcan displaying is spectacular. For xmas this year my family clubbed together and got me a part for the winter service, best prezzie any Vulcan fan can have is helping her keep flying! Hope to see you many times next year, Happy Xmas 558 and hope Santa brings you all the sponsorship you need xx

My Grandad not long after retiring from the post of warrant officer in the '60's was based at raf Cottesmore, Rutland, their House was in line with Cottesmore's runway at Langham place, He spoke of memories of pots and pans rattling as a whole squadron of these beauties practiced scrambling during cold war era, imagine the awesome sound of a whole squadron of Vulcans flying merely a few thousand feet over your house, Wish we could witness it today !

I've never seen it up close, but I still love the Vulcan
I fly it in FS9 all the time. Can't get enough of that
howl. Besides which it's still going strong, the Vulcan and I are the same age.

the vulcan effect at bournemouth 2009 waswell ... wow!!! and the year 2008 at farnbough were i got the most amazing picture of this beautiful icon coming into land ... had to stand in a bus road but didnt care lol. ive seen her fly so many times but her routine never gets old ... i love this icon and don't want to see her leave the skys

Hi can i say i BIG thank you to everyone who was on duty yesterday for the 11.30 tour,had a great time,a dream come true,
Bob

I grew up inthe 60s and 70s and remember all the vulcans at waddo and scampton as my father was in the RAF and flew them its great to see this one in the air still good luck to all involved

Will never forget seeing XH558 come screaming past Kemble airfield some months ago and entertaining all the spotters in the layby. Wow !!
Still brings a lump to the throat to see her, even on video. Best of British indeed. Keep up the good work lads.

Sorry for the spelling Mistake Vulcan*

My Grandad (Frank Humphreys) worked on the Blue steel around 1968-1970. I love listening to the story's he tells me and his great Grandchildren. My husband is in the RAF and we had the pleasure of seeing this amazing Aeroplane this summer at RAF Wittering. My Grandad could not make it to the Airshow this year but if the Vilcan is there again nxt year id love for him to come and hopefully it will bring back some wonderful memorys for him.

I like your guestbook,thanks for sharing your guestbook

Does anyone know if the flight crew wear a "Distinctive Doors" badge on their Jackets
This was the sponsor of the flight crews apparel

Great information Very informative site...
Thank you for the info.

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/guestbook.html

Good luck and keep up the work!

hi ive been following the progress of this vulcan and i have put many a pound in buckets to get her flying again .i have just brought a 1500cc kawasaki vulcan painted in the colours of xh588.
if you need me and the bike for any fund raising contact me ox.5rgj@yahoo.co.uk.
Cheers. Fester All Arms Veterans motorcycle club

Nice video.Awesome.

Hello Air Movements Mates. I was @ Goose Bay for 12 months (47 Sqdn) Comets. Valiants, Vulcans & Victors all lined up to impress. To OFFUTT & TRAVIS AFB's. Then I spent three years @ Luqa. Malta. Air Movements-Load Control Duties. I can contribute pics, not forgetting Abingdon - Beverleys & Hastings @ A Hanger.

I remember many happy days on refueler flight at Scampton in the 70s. The Vulcan was the first aircraft i saw in 69 when i joined up and fell in love with her beauty straight away.Those days at Scampton and on exercise with the Vulcan crews were the best ever.Still get goosebumps at the thought of a Vulcan.Im proud to have been part of the vulcan in service and so glad XH558 is well supported .

Worked on Vulcans at RAF Akrotiri,Cyprus,9 & 35 Sqdns,1971/74,amazing time,best 3 years of my life!

My connection with the Vulcans goes back to 1962 Just out of training with the Fleet Air Arm I was sent accross the airfield at RNAS Lossiemouth to marshall in a Vulcan, talk about a large aircraft, up to that point I had been working on Seahawks, Vampires and Hunters, compared to them the Vulcan IT IS A BIG AIRCRAFT. Lets hope we can keep her flying

Thanks to Toni for the interesting talk given today, and afterwards for the chat with Mouse during our hanger tour today. To get so close to X558 was fantastic. Looking forward to the 2012 season.

Saw the Vulcan fly at Barksdale AFB Louisana in 1975 at the airshow Impressive Got to tour cocpit.
Loved watching a bomber act like a fighter
Better than the Thunderbird show

Went to a local car club meeting where Martin Withers gave a fanastic presentation on the Black Buck mission. Afterwards he promoted the fund raising for 558, signing books and answering questions. A really nice chap and a priviledge to meet him. As someone who was lucky enough to fly in a Vulcan I had some questions for Martin who was only too pleased to answer.Thanks very Martin. I cannot wait for the 2012 display season.

I went to doncaster on one of the hangar tours it was brilliant i liked the history talk i also went to the display at royal wooton basset it was beautiful i loved the bank round over the golf
course

Is the Vulcan going to fly back to Butterworth, MY. That's if the RMAF/RAAF will let her land there. As a teenager I watched a Vulcan real close with some friends in a field near Weston Super Mare.

WOW! I love the Vulcan bomber. The look is absolutely astonishing. The roar of the mighty engines a while back just give me something to remember. So happy she is back home safe and sound, just hoping we can get the money to put this ferocious monster back inn the sky once again!

Thanks to Taff for the look round yesterday. It was a real privilege to get so close to 558. Really impressive. You have the best job in the world! Thanks again.

Really Great Site. I Love it.

XH558 is awsome whether she is parked up or showing off with her aerial ballet shows. Long may she fly. Imagine the scene: A quiet backroad near Scampton on a dark night, then suddenly 3 Vulcans roar overhead as though they had leapt off a cliff. That was my introduction to the Tin Triangle and after 30 years of RAF service the Vulcan is my favourite jet, only the EE Lightning comes close.

Say her for the first time in over 20 years last weekend at Royal Wootton Bassett. Up against the clear blue sky with the low sun lighting her up so well. Awesome.

Saw the 'Delta Lady 558' at her hangar yesterday, she is just as breath taking on the ground idle as she is roaring through the skies. Saw her flying in Windermere this summer (2011) and I had a lump in my throat and tears rolling down my cheeks. Stunning girl, just stunning. Thank you to the dedicated hard working team who keep her going! Taff was brilliant, had a chat with him and told me lots about 558. Can't wait to see you in 2012!

Attended the family fun day and had a wonderful time. I saw my first Vulcan at Teesside Airshow aged 7 and have always remembered the famous howl. 50 odd years later it was a thrill to hear it again! Well done to everyone involved especially XH558!

Treated to a double fly past on Sunday afternoon while out in the garden! Fantastic noise and very low. Thank you.

Spotted briefly on ITV4 on Sunday, during the touring cars coverage from Silverstone. What a nice surprise!

Amazing - Gardening yesterday and the Vulcan flew at low level over our house on the way home (I presume) from Royal Wootton Bassett. An amazing achievement by all to return this astonishing machine to the air. Thank you.

Hoping to see Vulcan fly over my house one day as am not far from Donnie - yesterday pm heard a great roar and there she was! Dad was a crew chief and loved this plane - brought a lump to my throat. What a wonderful feat of engineering - deserves its place in history. Thanks to all who have got this girl flying again. We should appreciate her while we can.

Having worked on the Vulcan for two and half years Goose Bay and Waddington Great Lady of the Sky. A great feat of British Engineering.

Great display at Finningley yesterday guys, especially the last take off of the day. Can't wait to see her again next year. I'll be posting my pics on Flickr in next few days

Awesome surprise yesterday, out the front of my house filling the car boot with rubbish, heard an in coming roar, looked up and saw the Vulcan emerge from the trees at low level, coming from the North over of Chalgrove airfield, then bank to Starboard above my house, ready I guess for an overflight of RAF Benson.

Brought a lump to my throat...

Ex RAF Armourer

that was worst desplay ive ever seen to day shame on you .

My wife and I had a great time today at the Family Fun Day, Robin Hood Airport. Great to meet the Crew, and so many of the Support Staff. To watch the Vulcan flying again was fantastic. Thank you.

What a nice surpise to see 558 do a nice low pass over Silverstone during the touring cars race today!!

Vulcan was over Dunsfold aerodrome today

what a suprised on the 16/10/2011 the vulcan flowen over dunsfold and a bit of cranleigh to. that made my weekend it is a ferry warming to have the vulcan in the sky were it shod be thanks to all how keep it in the sky thank you ferry much mr colin mitchell

Thinking of a trip to Robin Hood Airport during half term (24-28 Oct) will "our" Vulcan be there?

I watched 12 Vulcans 'scramble' on an exercise at Akrotiri. It was a truly memorable experience with the sight of sets of three aircraft at a time closely following each other peeling off at lift off one ahead, one to the left and the third to the right. The noise was deafening. Now that would be a spectacle I would like to see and hear again but alas it cannot now not happen. Saw, and heard the Vulcan on a number of occasions during it's time at Bruntingthorpe when it was based there as that airfield is just 'down the road'. Was in a friend's field one sunny day when it took off from Bruntinthorpe for the last time and flew north to Lincolnshire.

Out walking Sunday 16 october 2011 about 4pm saw vulcan flying south then it turned off to the east what an amazing sight as it looked really low.

Served at RAF Waddington, 1967-1970 as a Rigger on Line Squadron, and of course worked on 558 .... proud to have done so.

Lived with Vulcans in Lincs through 60's loved them then- Moths in the sky-doing circiuts and bumps. Was at school with RAF Vulcan 'kids' in Horncastle and have lost them - Hutton Swift Jensen and Widdall - where are you? 558 dipped for the last time into Bruntingthorpe with a wave to us all after 2 days waiting and I haven't seen her fly since so many disappointing days but I keep my hand in my pocket for her every month.
She should fly with 'The Battle Squadron' all aircraft which flew in war sorties.with Govt funding.I will see her next year, in the air and hear those amazing engines.

It must be an amazing feeling to pull the last flying Avro Vulcan into the air, from take-off to touchdown it must be amazing(:

Keep up the fabulous work

Sorry meant to state XH558 (hard day at work)
Even watching you on DVD makes me transfixed to the screen, not to mention the surround sound for great effect!!

We are both annoyed & sad at the same time, because due to ill health, financial constraints, location, and inconvenient working hours,(not all at the same time) we have been unable to see HX558 flying since she has returned to the skies. I haven't seen her since she lived at Bruntingthorpe! I hope we shall see her again before she is lost forever - a massive thank you to all who care for her day in day out.

My Dad, Chris Chacksfield, a former Vulcan pilot, has checked his log book and discovered he flew XH558 while on Training courses at RAF Finningley. Does the Trust keep a a record of all XH558 captains? Kate Chacksfield ps We both, and all the family, travelled to Dunsfold specifically to see her. Such a shame, but thanks to the team for all their work.. next year..

Thank you for a great display at Leuchars - made all the better by the fact that M.W. didn't let the iffy weather interfere with the display.

Hi there,could anyone tell me whether the vulcan will be flying with the blades again this year at sywell?i have seen them together for the past couple of years and would love to see them again this year.

My memories are many and long like many others who knew her in her previous life and it is so refreshing to read the comments of people today. Keep up your excellent work, oh yes I do have the 'T' shirt

Some of my earliest and best childhood memories are of my Dad and I religiously attending Woodford Airshow and seeing and hearing the mighty Vulcan thunder overhead and the famous Vulcan Howl. Is fantastic that 558 is up and flying again. Funny enough recently my Mother gave me some old photographs from Woodford Airshow, probably in the early 70s, imagine my astonishment when in among all the pictures is 558 getting ready to take off. Good luck to all involved and long may 558 fly.

Joe, There never was a commitment to fly given by the Trust to the RAFA despite the publicity to the contrary and what some ticket purchasers were told. I can understand the disappointment but essentially this was a private RAFA function. i.e they were responsible for ticketing, publicity etc. I do hope you enjoyed the function though, it wasn't about the Vulcan though it was about those who fought and died in the dark days of 1940. Personally I feel that it was right that 558 wasn't seen to be the main reason for being there. It isn't my wish to offend anyone with my observation, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our armed forces, past and present and they need our support particularly in supporting those killed or injured and their families.

Disappointed that XH558 didn't fly yesterday at RAF Finnigley (aka Robin Hood Airport!!!) despite publicity by Doncaster Branch of RAFA though I UNDERSTAND the aircraft was full serviceable. Can anyone say why there was no flight and hence lots of people were disappointment.

Well i have to echo all the comments about Leachars cert made my day seeing Xh558 doing her display ,was amazing seeing the crowd all rise to their feet at the mere mention of the pending approach of the mighty vulcan sure brought tears to my eyes, brill ,and the roar of those engines awesome, keep up the good work one and all

XH-558 made my friend's eyes water!

Awesome display at Leuchars, having waited 18 years.

Watched the Vulcan at the Leuchars airshow 2011. Blew me away. Have no words to describe the emotions this aircraft stir. Awesome!

I wanted to say thank you to all the team for making a great day at RAF Leuchars even better. I was at the show with my parents and to see XH558 put on such a fine display and quite frankly you stole the show. Long may you continue. Thank you!!!

Travelled up to leuchars to see the mighty Vulcan with my mate pete and our two youngsters, what a beautiful aircraft, made the hair standup on the back of my neck on her last fly past when she pulled up!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've waited 19 years to see the vulcan fly again. Never forgotten the Leuchars display in 1992 when I felt the heat of the engine. To see XH558 in the sky again yesterday was absolutely wonderful. Pity my dad wasn't there - Leuchars was our daddy/daughter day out but he's too ill now. I phoned him though and he cried when he heard the vulcan's roar. Keep up the good work. Vulcan to the sky are the best. xx

Was privleged to be at the Leuchars Show yesterday, and may i say, yes the Red Arrows are good, but, easily the highlight was the Awsome Vulcan, absolutely the Man U of the skies, to put it mildly, what a machine, and well done to all involved.....

Fantastic Display at Leuchars, well done everyone involved, and easily the highlight of the Show for me.
Won't forget that sight and sound for a long time!

Donation sent with thanks.

Although I have given modest financial support, I have yet to see XH 'live'. I wish you all the very best of luck in keeping her in the air for as long as possible and salute your magnificent long and hadr work in doing so.

saw vulcan bomber over stockto on tees this morn , great view could have landed at teeside airport

Up UP and away from Coningsby. great take off Pity they did not give us a fly past we dont get many chances to see it over this way congradulations to all ground staff and crew over a difficult few weekends.

Saw the vulcan on her way back to RH. done a flypast at DTV. Lovely to see her looking so beautiful

glad to have her back home at Doncaster in one safe piece, shame I missed the landing by half an hour

All you doubters and moaners NOTE that she is up, flying and displaying. Dont moan, contribute.

I have seen XH558 twice in the last couple of years, and in order to continue giving people like me a chance of seeing her again, certain rules and guidance should be adhered to, safe to fly or not safe to fly. Consider the lives of the crew before moaning and giving up support. Apathy is the greatest enemy of the British spirit

was at cosby on sunday and was sad that the vulcan could not display that day,these guys do all thay can and work very hard to keep her flying(well done)but the weather is a problem in this country and can ruin a good day wich means events and displays can be cancalled,i hope have the vulan has a better year in 2012(im sure it will)keep up the good work guys>>>can anyone tell me if the vulcan will be flying with the blades this year at sywell?i live a few miles away and its always good to see these planes together

two more sleeps to go......and p.s. to all those who moan about xh558 not flying, its not the trust who puts the restrictions in place but the caa, so go moan to them please, there is nothing we can do for you xxx

Looking forward to finally seeing XH558 at Leuchars on Sat!!!

hello xh558 hope you fly at raf leachurs on
satuarday.

love you from xh558

xxxxxxxx

Just signed up with donation.It is on behalf of my father who is 94 .In 1953 he was head of flight test and wind tunnels. I remember all the team at woodford as a young teenager. I knew all the test pilots and grew up with the Vulcan shackletons,Nimrods etc. Good luck with the project and I look forward to seeing it flying perhaps next season.

558 flew in the Cold War under military control. She now is under CAA control and has to abide by their requirements which are quite stringent so far as ceiling and visibility are concerned. The correct decision was taken. I actually was at Coningsby and the weather was awful. 558 was waiting to go and would have done so had it been O.K.

You missed a display, I missed seeing her take-off and I drove a far greater distance than you. Its disappointing but get over it. I have. The air and ground crews had been at Coningsby since 9a.m. They would have been gutted given all the hard work to get her in flying condition.

The true supporters understand why she couldn't fly. Its not that difficult to see that 2 and 2 make 4.

Think Jake and Andy B of Leicestershire maybe one and the same person ! I say this because of the childish spelling mistakes and maybe someone with a vendetta against 558 ! Also i always feel people who refer to 558 as "it" are not real enthusiasts. Long may XH558 fly and i think all of us real fans and the VTTS can be proud of what we have acheived

I was gutted that the Vulcan didn't show in Cosby. The Vulcan's ground crew worked so hard trying to make it possible of flying over, beaten all the odds but couldn't compete against the weather. I beat they were more gutted then all the selfish people who have given up on the Vulcan as 'She Turns Up'. The engineers sacrifice their free time to get her going again, ok they might get paid for it, but they never give up on her. You know what? I’m not giving up on her as she needs our help to stay running. I’m glad there are some people who don’t care if she shows up or not. The fact that we ‘True Supporters’ are happy that she’s back where she belongs and its up to us to keep it that way.

How can anyone come out with a statement that 'she never turns up' Facts: -
This YTD 14 displays, 8 cancellations because of breakdowns, 2 cancellations because of weather fronts. I may be wrong but 14 always used to be more than 10 when I went to school! And do cars break down for instance. Lets ALL stop this moaning and continue to support her so WE CAN continue to have the chance to see her fly.