latest news on vulcan for next two seasons from news letter 7/6/13

With your help, XH558 could fly in 2014 and 2015

In the autumn of 2012, we told XH558’s supporters that due to a range of
complex technical issues, it was possible that 2013 would be her last
display season. We are delighted to tell you now that, following a period of
rigorous research that is a tremendous testament to the skills of XH558’s
engineering team and our technical partners, we are planning an engineering
programme that will allow XH558 to fly for full display seasons in both 2014
and 2015. Today, we are pleased to announce:

OPERATION 2015
By launching this campaign, we are declaring our intent not only to secure
two more additional display seasons after 2013, but to announce the ultimate
finish to XH558’s time in the air at the end of 2015.

Over the same period, we will develop our plans for XH558’s longer-term
future as the centre-piece of an educational and inspirational facility,
ensuring that her restoration to flight and second flying career will result
in a lasting legacy.

Please note that there are any number of new technical problems that could
arise to stop XH558 flying in the meantime, but the team, as ever, will
strive to overcome all issues that arise.
Operation 2015 is in two vital stages:


Stage One

Goal: To secure sufficient funding during the display season to ensure the
Trust enters next winter in a healthy financial state.

We plan to achieve this by issuing further shares to support vital elements
of our operating costs, and additionally, by driving up our merchandising
and fund-raising activities through the season.

However, the most important element is the need to fund Phase 2 of the
Flying Life Extension programme, which we plan will be achieved through the
sale of shares, specifically to pay for the manufacture of the formers
needed to make the wing strengthening plates.

Our new shares all come with the benefit of a dedicated certificate, with
all support of £75 or more recognised on the last-ever bomb-bay plaque to be
fitted within XH558’s famous-bomb-bay. This will be fitted in the autumn of
2013.
SEE OUR NEW SHARE PAGE HE


Stage Two

Goal: To secure sufficient financial support in the form of pledges made
during the flying season to cover the £400,000 cost of the Wing Modification
and the Winter Service before we begin work.

We believe that we should only commence work this coming Winter when we are
sure we have sufficient funding to complete both the Wing Modification and
the Winter Service. To do one without the other would not deliver an
airworthy XH558 for 2014.

This is a complex programme. We have developed a dedicated micro-web site to
explain it, and we will be revealing more details over the next few weeks in
these newsletters.

We have also prepared an extensive package of information which will be sent
out to all those on our postal mailing list next week. We will have more
details on that next Tuesday, when we will also announce how anyone wishing
to receive a copy can order one upon request.

Operation Booklet Visit the Operation Site HERE



Make a Pledge HERE


The site includes a dedicated Question and Answer section on the rationale
for the decisions now taken, and on the details of the Stage 2 Pledge scheme
and the attractive rewards that may be earned for contributions towards
maximising XH558’s flying life.