“Avro Vulcan Bomber RAF” by Sgt. David S. Nolan, US Air Force – DF-ST-86-11850. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.
On the 13 Sept 2015 I saw the Avro Vulcan fly for my last time. I was geocaching with Sally near Coventry airport when I checked twitter and saw that the Vulcan XH558 had taken off from Doncaster heading to Coventry for a display. This wasn’t on the official list of shows that she was doing but I was excited and ran the mile or so to the end of the runway.
Vulcan confirmed serviceable, leaving Doncaster circuit enroute to Coventry.
— XH558 (@XH558) September 13, 2015
Before XH558 was due to arrive there was a short display by a Gloster Meteor and a DeHavilland Vampire.
Once these two planes had landed I could see the Vulcan in the distance. I had seen her recently while I was at RAF Cosford and the noise was stunning. It had been a long time since I had seen a Vulcan fly. I used to watch them at airshows in the 80s. The noise then was always incredible and I distinctly remember an occasion at a Duxford Airshow when she made my stomach shake. The Vulcan flew past a few times and did some lovely throttle-up manoeuvres. All in all it was great to see her fly for my last time. I’m glad I ran the short distance to the runway.
It’s a sad thing that she won’t fly again, but a good thing that she did.
XH558 has landed safely. Thank you for following. — XH558 (@XH558) September 13, 2015
