XH558 from the latest news letter 10/1/14

What better way to wish you all a Happy New Year than to announce we have
now passed the 90% redemption level on the Operation 2015 funding appeal,
giving us the confidence to carry on with the vital work on the Flying Life
Extension – manufacturing the wing leading edge strengthening plates and the
complex, time-consuming process of their installation.

Successful implementation will then allow XH558 to fly on for two more
complete display seasons.

Once the manufacture of the strengthening plates is complete at Beagle
Technology's site at Christchurch in Dorset, their technicians will arrive
in the hangar to begin the installation work. We will obviously keep you
updated on progress right here in these newsletters.

However, we still need to secure the balance of some £40,000 of outstanding
pledges that remain. It's vital to make up this shortfall to meet the
original budget for the work.

Beagle Technology are also contracted to repair the port main undercarriage
door, which has suffered some minor structural damage from receiving the
full power of the hydraulic system (as it is the last door to close in the
retraction sequence, and does so with some force as the result).


The winter servicing work has proceeded ahead of schedule leaving time
available to carry out the vital modification work. The aircraft was
recently placed on jacks and has been stressed to simulate in-flight
conditions by the introduction of small deflections to the wings.

Following the discovery of the leaking fuel tank just prior to the flight
planned on 1st September, the aircraft had been refuelled ready for that
day's sortie. Sadly, XH558 was then too heavy for the structural
modification work to proceed, so the excess fuel - some 25,000 litres - had
to be removed.

Thankfully, with the great support of Imperial Tankers from
Stockton-on-Tees, who provided a suitable tanker free-of charge, we have
been able to offload the fuel and sell it at a reduced price to benefit
Vulcan XM655 over at Wellesbourne.


Regular followers will know we have been lucky to have dedicated themes in
the last few years as we have celebrated both XH558's own 50th Birthday in
2010 and in 2012, the 60th Anniversary of the Avro Vulcan prototype's first
flight.

2014 marks the 25th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall which
signalled the end of the Cold War period during which Avro Vulcans played
their own very important part. Honouring this part of our history is a vital
part of what we aim to achieve, and we will shortly be announcing some major
events that we will carry out in 2014 to commemorate this important
anniversary. Look out for some exciting developments just as soon as we have
details confirmed.

Finally, many congratulations to our friends, The Royal Air Force Aerobatic
Team - The Red Arrows, who will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this
display season.