11bee Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 The last airworthy Vulcan was seriously damaged during an engine test run earlier this week. During the test run, the ground crew neglected to remove bags of silica gel (a desiccant), which where ingested into the number 1 engine, causing it to shed turbine blades. The debris from engine number 1 then impacted neighboring engine 2, causing irreparable damage to this engine as well. Sounds like this aircraft may never get airworthy again. Sad.... http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2012/05/silica-gel-mishap-grounds-vulc.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Desiccant accident... wow. Well it's sad end, but that bird was on borrowed time anyways. Doesn't it use the same engines that the Concord did? Cheers to those who got to see it fly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Oooooooooooooops. Sad to hear. One comment poster stated that the group has spare engines. Hopefully that's true and they're able to get her back into the air. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Ouch! Funding for this project is always very tight. I'm not sure whether there is a contingency built into the budget for these sort of unforseen events. :unsure: I sincerely hope that they get XH558 in the air again. I feel very priviledged to have seen her fly in recent years. Thanks for the heads-up 11bee Cheers, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kstater94 Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Actually, 558 had taken the runway at the time and the crew was starting their takeoff roll when the incident happened... I wouldn't totally write the aircraft off just yet These fine folks who have kept her flying haven't given up yet Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 Actually, 558 had taken the runway at the time and the crew was starting their takeoff roll when the incident happened... I wouldn't totally write the aircraft off just yet These fine folks who have kept her flying haven't given up yet Wow, those guys got lucky. Would have been awful if those engines got FOD'ed after they rotated. Not sure if a Vulcan can stay airborne post-takeoff with two engines out, also wonder if the pilot's ejection seats are still live or if they were deactivated like most US jet warbirds? Hope they can find the money and spare engines to get that beautiful bird back in the air. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Linden Hill Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Monday's incident at Finningley: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Monday's incident at Finningley: Thanks for the link/youtube.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattC Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 These fine folks who have kept her flying haven't given up yet given what it took to get her flying again, I seriously doubt they'll give up if there's any chance. The public will, especially over here, to see her flying was nothing short of astounding. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I certainly hope the damage is repairable and get this beautiful bird back in the air. I had the enormous priviledge and enjoyment of seeing several of them fly back when they were still on active duty. Darwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Archangel Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 I'm not sure but we do have a Vulcan here in the US and they may have kept the engines from that one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edgar Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 It's sad to see how readily some will divulge bad news, but then can't wait for those closest to the project to issue a statement. Damage was confined to the engines, with none to the airframe, so accident inspectors have no need to get involved; the team have spare engines, and hope to have them fitted in time for XH558 to appear at RIAT in a few weeks time. Edgar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
streetstream Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Here is a link to their site showing how they are already replacing the engines. She will fly again. I hope to see her once again. http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/355/82/Hangar-pictures.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Apparently the big issue is(was?) a lack of spare, flight-worthy engines. If they have 4 flyable ones, she can get airborne and continue to display. But without any contingency spare engines, if she goes unserviceable with engine problems at an 'away' airfield then that's it. That's where she stays - no way to get her home. I hope she will continue to grace our skies for some time yet. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 the team have spare engines, and hope to have them fitted in time for XH558 to appear at RIAT in a few weeks time. Edgar Here is a link to their site showing how they are already replacing the engines. She will fly again. I hope to see her once again. http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/355/82/Hangar-pictures.html Hi Edgar and streetstream, thanks for the good news and the link I hope she will continue to grace our skies for some time yet. Ken Here, here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 She's back: http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/farnborough-avro-vulcan-arrives-at-the-farnborough-air-show-373876/ Those guys did a great job. Hope they add: "Check intakes for FOD before starting engines" to their pre-start checklist :) It's good to see this classic aircraft back in the air. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Whew!!!...that is a relief and then some, for an icon of a bygone era that occupied a majority of the 20th century to be relegated to the realm of film, and print would be a disaster of epic proportions. One would think that the UK would see to it that all that could be done to preserve the valiant warrior would be done. It seems that "What have you done for me lately" is raising it's ugly head. Her and her sisters kept a valiant guard for many years and did a major part in preserving that present to insure a future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Whew!!!...that is a relief and then some, for an icon of a bygone era that occupied a majority of the 20th century to be relegated to the realm of film, and print would be a disaster of epic proportions. One would think that the UK would see to it that all that could be done to preserve the valiant warrior would be done. It seems that "What have you done for me lately" is raising it's ugly head. Her and her sisters kept a valiant guard for many years and did a major part in preserving that present to insure a future. Wish the USAF had a different approach as well. I would have killed to see an airworthy B-58!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IrishGreek Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Wish the USAF had a different approach as well. I would have killed to see an airworthy B-58!! Wow, that would have been something! ((in announcer speak... 'And coming from the East in it's high speed pass... the B-58 Hustleeeerrrr....' with all that polished metal! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Barr Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 This was her flying at the opening of the Farnborough Air Show today Regards Jim Barr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Les / Creative Edge Photo Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I miss seeing the Avro Vulcan fly its display at the Abbotsford Air show. I can't believe it's been almost 30 years since a Vulcan came here to put on its display. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Patrick_Nevin Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 This was her flying at the opening of the Farnborough Air Show today Lovely picture, sir! Patrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IrishGreek Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 This was her flying at the opening of the Farnborough Air Show today Regards Jim Barr Nice to see the Red Arrows are re-constituted as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Jim Lovely... nice photos ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Oooooooooooooops. Sad to hear. One comment poster stated that the group has spare engines. Hopefully that's true and they're able to get her back into the air. I am with you there Mike.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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