XH558 News

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boff180
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XH558 News

Post by boff180 »

Hello All,

As we did say we would do, if there was ever any significant news about XH558 we would open up a thread to once again allow discussion.

However, please make no mistake that this thread is to discuss the news and its implications only, if it spirals into circular discussion again, aggression, idiocy, "I know something you don't know" behaviour and/or there is no further news - at that point the staff team will lock the thread for good.

Thanks

Andy

The below press release was released this morning.... not unsurprising taking into account the location and the current world.
The Vulcan to the Sky (VTTS) charity have been unable to meet the fundraising deadline to raise the £2.2m needed to progress plans to build The Vulcan Experience at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Michael Trotter, development director at the Trust said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have announced that our plans for The Vulcan Experience will not be going ahead as we had hoped due to a fundraising shortfall.

“We were unable to meet the fundraising deadline of December 31, 2021, to raise the money needed to build the hangar as a result we are unable to meet the terms of a lease for the land at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

“This is obviously a huge blow to The Vulcan to the Sky Trust, as a charity we have had big ambitions since XH558 was grounded to create the kind of inspirational home we believe this iconic aircraft deserves.

“Our time in a hangar here at DSA proved that the appetite was there for people to visit XH558 in a visitor setting and when our lease expired in 2017, we set about plans to build our own space. Sadly, the £2.2m needed to enable us to progress a mortgage to build The Vulcan Experience was not reached as we had agreed, and we acknowledge the airport has been more than patient in holding the availability of land for many years on the premise funding would be secured to complete a lease.”

People who donated to Operation Safeguard continue to benefit from Guardian Membership for 12 months and the offer of a name permanently displayed under the wing of the iconic Vulcan XH558. Donors also received either a sample set of genuine Avro/ Hawker Siddeley Aviation fasteners or a reproduction of Vulcan XH558’s Aircraft Identification Plate depending on the level of donation.

Michael added “We are currently considering the implications for donors of being unable to complete the fundraising campaign and we will be in touch with all those who have donated shortly. to discuss the position including their final recognition of names under XH558’s DeltaYou will appreciate that this is a difficult time, and we will update donors further as soon as we are able.”

“We are obviously devastated to not be in a position to build the visitor attraction we dreamed of but we will continue with our education outreach work that is currently live across the region and will look for ways to continue to inspire future generations of engineers and STEM specialists. XH558 will continue to be looked after and be maintained to the high standards she has been kept at through her flying years and after. In keeping her at these high standards we are able to demonstrate her at events and tell her story to all who visit.

“This is now a period of reflection for us as a charity as we consider how we continue to provide the best we can for our supporters working with Doncaster Sheffield Airport” explained Michael.

Berf
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Re: XH558 News

Post by Berf »

Another candidate for the National Aviation Heritage Centre at Scampton which of course will never exist

5944
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Re: XH558 News

Post by 5944 »

The £633,000 spend on advertising in the last set of accounts was well spent then. Outgoings £1.2m, income £2m. A pretty awful return.

Stagger2
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Re: XH558 News

Post by Stagger2 »

I'm inclined to think this intent to build an all inclusive Visitor Centre was always a 'bridge too far' given the almost shambolic post-flying style of operation. It would have been more plausible to start with a frame & roof protection overhead followed by walls & fit-out if & when money became available. "Build it & they will come" only works in movies!
And, Yes my name is on it! :wink:

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Re: XH558 News

Post by HeyfordDave111 »

Despite being a 'naysayer' for their plans at Doncaster, i am truly mortified about what could now happen to the old girl.
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melcragg
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Re: XH558 News

Post by melcragg »

What a shame. It's a far cry from 2015 and the wonderful flights she amazed us with.

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Re: XH558 News

Post by bernarde »

Also breaches the lottery terms also.

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Re: XH558 News

Post by Cole »

forgive me for misremembering but im sure around 2017 they annoucned that they had got a mortage and had started building something to house her?
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Re: XH558 News

Post by Traveller »

Outdoors 2023
Corrosion 2027
Request to remove eyesore 2028
To the nearest furnace 2029

bizfreeq
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Re: XH558 News

Post by bizfreeq »

I thought it was already outdoors?

Spiny Norman
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Post by Spiny Norman »

I hope there's a way to preserve this valuable item in the UK's aviation heritage. The last flying V-bomber should be kept for future generations.

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Re: XH558 News

Post by GeeRam »

5944 wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 12:36 pm
The £633,000 spend on advertising in the last set of accounts was well spent then.
How much... :astonished:

:rofl:

Marka1967
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Re: XH558 News

Post by Marka1967 »

Well we all knew this was coming it was just a case of when. The airport should take on the airframe and organise a team of volunteers to raise funds to look after it without all the VTS baggage as the other two Vulcan groups do.

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Re: XH558 News

Post by HeyfordDave111 »

Maybe a home in South Wales beckons?

Doncaster wont want it cluttering up their perimeter, meanwhile what of the Canberra?
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jasonT1981
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Re: XH558 News

Post by jasonT1981 »

How did they spend that much on Advertising? The only things I ever saw advertised was the 'get your name on the Vulcan' adverts on FB. Sure, it can be expensive but not £633k expensive.

VTTS seem to be squandering money on everything but the aircrafts future. We've had how many appeals since 2015? and they still can't fund the hangar.

Is there a breakdown on what the high ups get paid and other income/outgoings? The 2m income brought it very close to the 2.2m they needed. Seems too much squandered un outgoings.

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Re: XH558 News

Post by bernarde »

Cole wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 2:10 pm
forgive me for misremembering but im sure around 2017 they annoucned that they had got a mortage and had started building something to house her?
The Chinese investor pulled the plug on that one as there and i quote "no forward vision on a return of investment".

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Re: XH558 News

Post by bernarde »

jasonT1981 wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 5:40 pm

Is there a breakdown on what the high ups get paid and other income/outgoings?
Dont think you'll get that without a freedom of information act, but when the aircraft stopped flying and all the lads were made redundant, the honcho's continued to take full salaries for years, with the likes of trotter leaving, and coming back as a 'consultant' via his company do the same 'pointless' job. Lets just say he's earnt more a year in the past 2-3 years then he did as a active member of management. All shady, dodgy and done to hide it from the public accounts as his earnings will go into 'consultancy' brackets.

My posts are being deleted, sadly UKAR doesn't like truth but hey ho.

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Re: XH558 News

Post by centaurus18 »

XH558 is just another Vulcan now, no different to XL426 or XM655 in that it is a jet that used to fly.
Indeed, it shares that fact with every other complete Vulcan left worldwide.
Mark
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Cole
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Re: XH558 News

Post by Cole »

centaurus18 wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 7:07 pm
XH558 is just another Vulcan now, no different to XL426 or XM655 in that it is a jet that used to fly.
Indeed, it shares that fact with every other complete Vulcan left worldwide.
Its not even the most well looked after vulcan even with the silly money that goes around it.
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Re: XH558 News

Post by HeyfordDave111 »

I wonder if Elvington might like it now?

Fund raising might be a problem unless they do a 'name under the win....' oh, hold on! (facepalm).
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Re: XH558 News

Post by bernarde »

HeyfordDave111 wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 7:24 pm
I wonder if Elvington might like it now?

Fund raising might be a problem unless they do a 'name under the win....' oh, hold on! (facepalm).
It wont be moved, they'll milk the cow a little more then it'll be crunch time, literally.

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Post by Blue_2 »

HeyfordDave111 wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 7:24 pm
I wonder if Elvington might like it now?
There wasn't a question of Elvington not liking it before. Discussions were had at the time, and one of the major stumbling blocks to 558 retiring to YAM was the fact that YAM couldn't offer her a permanent home under cover, iirc a T&C of the HLF money pumped into her.

Ironic given her current accomodation arrangements...
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Re: XH558 News

Post by Stagger2 »

centaurus18 wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 7:07 pm
XH558 is just another Vulcan now, no different to XL426 or XM655 in that it is a jet that used to fly.
Indeed, it shares that fact with every other complete Vulcan left worldwide.
Spot-on Mark! One 'dead Vulcan' is very much like another. Sadly XH558 was only 'The Peoples Vulcan' because they sponsored it to fly. When it stopped flying the magic slowly faded as the opportunity to see it cost a Kings Ransom! :face_with_symbols_over_mouth: :face_with_symbols_over_mouth:
Interestingly the other two aircraft noted above have (pre-Covid) been more accessible & active in recent times even without generous HLF Funding. :astonished:

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Re: XH558 News

Post by Gt5500 »

centaurus18 wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 7:07 pm
XH558 is just another Vulcan now, no different to XL426 or XM655 in that it is a jet that used to fly.
Indeed, it shares that fact with every other complete Vulcan left worldwide.
Well that's not strictly true is it? The big difference is 1000's of us saw XH558 flying and remember the displays fondly, so no, it's not just another Vulcan.
Of course I'm sensible enough to realise that fact alone is not enough to change the fate of XH558, only vts could have done that and so far they've not pulled it off...
I am however, fairly confident, that if it had gone to one of the fantastic aviation museums in the country it would have proved a big draw to visitors but that ship has sailed (and subsequently sunk for good measure)

106500
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Re: XH558 News

Post by 106500 »

Gt5500 wrote:
Fri 04 Feb 2022, 9:25 am
centaurus18 wrote:
Thu 03 Feb 2022, 7:07 pm
XH558 is just another Vulcan now, no different to XL426 or XM655 in that it is a jet that used to fly.
Indeed, it shares that fact with every other complete Vulcan left worldwide.
Well that's not strictly true is it? The big difference is 1000's of us saw XH558 flying and remember the displays fondly, so no, it's not just another Vulcan.
Of course I'm sensible enough to realise that fact alone is not enough to change the fate of XH558, only vts could have done that and so far they've not pulled it off...
I am however, fairly confident, that if it had gone to one of the fantastic aviation museums in the country it would have proved a big draw to visitors but that ship has sailed (and subsequently sunk for good measure)
I wholly agree with the view that 558 is definitely different in that it has a unique and unsurpassed place in aircraft history and the public’s affection. I don’t at all subscribe to the view that it is at any real risk of dismantling or worse. The public hue and cry and political fallout could not be underestimated and I feel sure the authorities/owners at Doncaster airport simply would not contemplate such an outcome. This Vulcan has had a habit of confounding the pessimists time and again which was wonderful to see and I see no real reason why this won’t happen again. While times are tough just now lets move forward with optimism!

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