Vulcan XH558 under threat as Sky Trust announces lack of funds (From Bournemouth Echo)

Vulcan XH558 under threat as Sky Trust announces lack of funds

10:06am Saturday 6th February 2010 in

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THE future of the historic Vulcan XH558 is under threat after the Vulcan to the Sky Trust announced that its funds are in a “precarious position”.

The trust took the decision to place its employees on one month’s notice as of February 1 and the project could close down on February 28 grounding the iconic craft.

It is now making a last ditch effort to keep the Vulcan in the skies by asking for pledges for donations which can be honoured once targets have been met.

With under £200,000 raised since November against a goal of £800,000, the trust needs to raise more than £300,000 in new pledges by the end of February to justify a stay of execution followed by a further £300,000 in pledges by the end of March.

The trust has been in a similar position before but the Vulcan was saved after its loyal supporters rallied to the cause.

Spokesman, Richard Clarke, said: “If the money isn’t forthcoming and the project is closed at the end of the month that puts the future of the aircraft in huge doubt.

“What will happen to be quite honest we don’t know but we hope we will get the money and continue operating.”

Jon Weaver, air festival director, at Bournemouth council, urged everyone to do what they could to save the XH558.

He said: “We, with the trust, are equally as determined not to give in and want to help in anyway we can to encourage people to pledge to the fund.

“The aircraft is an important element to the Festival and we have included the appeal on bournemouthair.co.uk.

The Vulcan in action at the Bournemouth Air Festival 2009

“Without a doubt, last year, the iconic Vulcan effect took over Bournemouth and we are hopeful she will fly again at the UK’s leading aviation event this summer.”

The trust is organising a world record attempt for the most number of signatures on a single birthday card to commemorate XH558’s 50 birthday since her first flight on May 25 1960.

It is also planning to promote the appeal through a viral campaign.

• For more information or to make a pledge visit vulcantothesky.org or ring the trust office on 01455 637864.

Fact file

• The Avro Vulcan was designed in the late 1940s to carry the British atomic bomb by the same team that built the famous Avro Lancaster.

• Just 11 years separated the first flight of the revolutionary Vulcan in 1952 from the first flight of the Lancaster in 1941.

• The Vulcan is a stunning example of the best of British engineering.

• Vulcan XH558 is the only flying Vulcan in the world.

• The RAF’s V-Force helped protect world peace during the bleak and dangerous years of the Cold War.

• Grounded by the RAF in 1993, the effort to return her to flight was started in 1997.

• More than £7 million was needed to complete the restoration of which £2.7 million came from the UK Heritage Lottery Fund who realised the historical importance of the Vulcan to the nation.