SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Just seen a wonderful sight, sat here waiting for my tea when this deep-throated roar overhead made me go outside to see what was making it. There it was in all its glory, a bit high but you could plainly make out its colouring. It was travelling south to north so I don't know where it had come from or where it was going, still a grand sight. Living close to Staxton Wold listening station we get our fair share of unusual aircraft in the skies but this was special.

I didn't know there were any left that are airworthy, seems I was wrong - lucky you - maybe there's some online chat about it

hi all
the Vulcan is based at robin hood airport Doncaster,which was previously known as finningley and that was there base when they were in service with the R.A.F.
regards
smi

electricaldave wrote:I didn't know there were any left that are airworthy, seems I was wrong - lucky you - maybe there's some online chat about it

I was of that opinion too "electricaldave" but unless anyone can tell me differently as to what I saw, and most definitely heard, I'll stick by my story. I hope someone else saw it apart from myself and the wife or I'll begin to doubt my sanity.

Johnny39 wrote:Just seen a wonderful sight, sat here waiting for my tea when this deep-throated roar overhead made me go outside to see what was making it. There it was in all its glory, a bit high but you could plainly make out its colouring. It was travelling south to north so I don't know where it had come from or where it was going, still a grand sight. Living close to Staxton Wold listening station we get our fair share of unusual aircraft in the skies but this was special.

It might have been XH558, the only flight worthy Vulcan
its maiden flight was on Monday 25th May 1960
so today is its 55th birthday!
You were very lucky to see it, it will retire at the end of 2015, this is the last year to see it flying.

warringtonrhino wrote:

Johnny39 wrote:Just seen a wonderful sight, sat here waiting for my tea when this deep-throated roar overhead made me go outside to see what was making it. There it was in all its glory, a bit high but you could plainly make out its colouring. It was travelling south to north so I don't know where it had come from or where it was going, still a grand sight. Living close to Staxton Wold listening station we get our fair share of unusual aircraft in the skies but this was special.

It might have been XH558, the only flight worthy Vulcan
its maiden flight was on Monday 25th May 1960
so today is its 55th birthday!
You were very lucky to see it, it will retire at the end of 2015, this is the last year to see it flying.

Thanks "warringtonrhino" what you say is very interesting and goes someway to saving my sanity. I'm old enough to remember seeing the complete "V" Bomber set, Vulcan, Valiant and Victor back in the 50's when Leeds seemed to be on their flightpath. Once seen never forgotten. Thanks again for the info. but I'll be happier when someone else says they saw it.

As nobody has mentioned it and it may be of interest to some, there was a programme on BBC4 last night about the history of British jet plane manufacture, which included footage of the Vulcan, Valiant and Victor. The second part is on BBC4 this evening at 10.00pm and the first part can still be seen on BBC iPlayer (29 days to go at the time of writing): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01m81f5

When I was in the R.A.F. stationed at Filton Bristol on the other side of the Airfield was the Bristol Aeroplane Co. which supplied the engines for the Vulcan so just occasionally one would turn up and land / take off with such a roar that I would think the B.A.C. engineers would feel very proud. on our annual open day we had many types of kites turn up and there was always a Vulcan doing its stuff for the crowd.
what impressed me most back then was not only its size but the sheer power of it.

It went over again about 14.00 this afternoon.

Its the start of the air tattoo seasons so the plane and others will be moving around locating to various airfields over the summer. As well as returning to its base which I believe is near Marham Lincolnshire