Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Airband News


An Apache attack helicopter (possibly more than one) has been operating over Leicester for quite some time today. If anyone has some information on what they are doing I would be interested to know! Thanks, Mark.

Friday, May 16, 2008

A Plea For Vulcan XH558

It's been a remarkable achievement to return such a large, complex 4 engine ex-RAF aircraft to the air, and this has been the culmination of years of effort and in some cases, thousands of volunteer hours by air and ground crews and incredible goodwill on the part of some individuals and companies.
She had some final flight tests last week at RAF Coningsby and I believe still needs to get her display routine passed by a CAA examiner before being allowed to fly at airshows.

I for one cannot wait to see (and feel!) the incredible power of this great delta taking to the skies.

It's looking like Waddington air show might be XH558's first confirmed appearance this season but following the AGM of the Vulcan Operating committee/Vulcan To The Sky Trust it was confirmed that at this time, there are sufficient funds for 2 months general maintenance and enough fuel for 4 more flights!

Without some major sponsership coming forward very soon, her return to the skies may be very short-lived.

In any case, I would like to ask all my readers to consider contributing what you can. Anything is appreciated and vital to keeping her airborne at this time. I believe, once she has had the opportunity to display her grace and power at a public airshow and it is seen how she alone can 'pull in the crowds' that major sponsorship might be more forthcoming.

It is possible to make an e-donation on the website or, if you have not done so already, consider joining the Vulcan To The Sky Club and receive all the latest news and info on XH558 as I have already done.

Thanks in advance to all my readers, you can visit the Vulcan Operating Committee website
HERE

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

My Apologies & Some Vulcan Gossip!


Firstly, I must apologise for not posting much recently, I seem to go through periods where I am just too busy to sit down and post but I am committed to trying to rectify this and I would like your help!
Please do contribute your comments if you have anything you would like to inform fellow enthusiasts about.

I have had a few days off work and have had the chance to 'listen in' much more on my Uniden UBC3500XLT. While working on my pc yesterday I was listening to 'central sector' (252.875Mhz) for much of the day and heard (and saw) about 8 overflights either westbound or eastbound to the south of Leicester of USAF C17 overflights. Interestingly, one of them called Lakenheath weathar info service (284.425Mhz) for the Spangdahlem weather report. So it would seem perhaps most of these overflights I can see from my location in Leicester are probably operating between the US and Germany.

And now to the Vulcan XH558 based here in Leicestershire at Bruntingthorpe:

Yesterday, Tuesday 6th May, I believe I heard Vulcan XH558 leave Bruntingthorpe around 1500hrs and call Cottesmore radar (UHF) using the callsign 'marshall 1' - she was en route to Cambridge (the home of marshall aerospace) - that's the first time I have picked her up on the scanner since her restoration but I'm still waiting for my first sighting of her in the air!

Perhaps you would like to share your experience of seeing (or hearing!) her again by posting here.
Thanks all, Mark.