THE iconic XH558 Vulcan Bomber now carries the names of hundreds of individuals on her bodywork, as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of her return to flight.

Owners of the Cold War bomber - The Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) - launched their fundraising appeal by asking for donations in return for names engraved under the aircraft's wing.

This enabled supporters of the Bournemouth Air Festival favourite, which last flew in 2015 but has been maintained for ground displays, to have their names or the names of loved ones inscribed.

Project team leader Dr Robert Pleming said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their generous support for this initiative, which is highly gratifying and a great tribute to the positive and enduring effect that XH558 continues to engender.

"We were determined to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this amazing achievement, as we work to secure not only XH558’s future, but also to consider the prospect of undertaking other heritage aviation projects.

"This opportunity to place names on the wing had not been available to us previously because MoD and CAA regulations on ex-military aircraft markings meant we had to keep her external appearance in as near to original RAF markings as possible."

The naming initiative will help finance the upkeep of the Vulcan, which is now based at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Dr Pleming explained: "Vulcan XH558 can still play a very important role as an icon of our aeronautic heritage but also as a beacon for other heritage aviation projects, as plans progress for a new hangar at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

"This will give the aviation community and the wider public unrivalled access to living aircraft, with the exciting vision of a restoration and operating facility that will keep other heritage aircraft not only on display, but airborne and appearing at air displays in the years to come."

Once XH558 is settled in her new home, VTST will turn its attention to the restoration of another icon of the air - Canberra WK163.

The VTST has also confirmed they're considering operating other loaned aircraft on the display circuit next year.