The only remaining flying Vulcan – the last all-British designed and built military aircraft – flew out of RAF Lyneham for the last time today.
The Vulcan was on constant standby to drop the atomic bomb during the Cold War and was decisive during the Falklands conflict.
But now there is just the historic XH558 Vulcan left and it left its home at RAF Lyneham, Wilts., yesterday for the last time.
A small crowd gathered to watch as it took its final flight from the base at 12.15pm and made its way to Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster, Yorkshire.
A spokesman for the Vulcan to the Sky Trust said the charity, which owns the plane, revealed they needed #350,000 in order to keep the plane going through the summer.
He said: ”The Vulcan will remain at Robin Hood airport for the foreseeable future. It will be flying at all of the shows during the Summer.
”We have just put out an appeal for #350,000 so we can keep her flying throughout the Spring and Summer.”
The Vulcan is usually kept at RAF Brize Norton, Oxon, during Summer, when it flies for the public, and then at RAF Lyneham for maintenance during the Winter months.
But the historic plane is now looking for a new home, as RAF Lyneham is set to close, and is expected to remain at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield until one can be found.
The Vulcan thrilled almost two million people last year when it featured at several high-profile air shows including the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford and at Kemble Air Day.
It was originally built in 1960, was restored between 2005 and 2007 and is looked after by a team of 11, including five engineers.
To support the Vulcan to the Sky appeal, call the donation hotline on 0845 5046 558 or visit www.vulcan tothesky.org/donate.
The Vulcan is one of my favorite planes, and I’m an American! 😉 A Vulcan made an emergency landing in my hometown of Pueblo, Colorado after it sucked up a buzzard into one of its engines. I believe it was 1978 when that happened. I’d love to hear from that crew. They were friendly and let us get a close look at the aircraft. BTW, tried to attach a photo of the Vulcan in Jpeg and it wouldn’t load. If someone wants a copy of the photo email me.