Avro Vulcan

A remarkable display season that took her to supporters across the country, and a remarkable chapter in British aviation history, closed when XH558 touched down for the last time on Wednesday. It was a tense morning as rain lashed the hangar with the agreed take-off time fast approaching, but thanks to the flexibility of the airport, a later slot was provided and the final flight of one of the world’s most magnificent aircraft was given the green light.

After a morning waiting patiently, press and Trust Volunteers gathered in the drizzle as her engines started, waiting for the sun to burst through the clouds. Just before 3:00, the throttles were opened, the stick pulled back and she climbed into the air for the last time. Ten minutes later she was back on the runway, chute deployed, her flying career over.

We are very grateful to the airport and to the police for their flexibility, without which the final flight would have been cancelled due to weather. We are also immensely grateful to XH558’s supporters for understanding the very difficult position that the popularity of XH558 placed us in as concern about crowds overwhelming the local infrastructure grew. It’s thanks to your understanding that she was able to fly for one last time, allowing this remarkable moment to be captured in stills and video for Vulcan enthusiasts now and into the future.

It’s been a remarkable season, with the Trust doing everything possible to take XH558 to her supporters where you are, across the country, in a greatly extended flying season. We sought (and were granted) additional flying hours, allowing her to fly for 50 percent longer than any previous season, with two major Farewell to Flight tours, both of which were amongst her longest sorties since the return-to-flight in 2007. We were also proud to fly at a special Farewell to Flight event for the Vulcan to the Sky Club in September.

And of course the last eight years of remarkable Vulcan displays would not have happened without the remarkable generosity of so many. In front of the press, before closing down after her final flight, XH558 dipped her nose to salute you all.