Last flying Vulcan set for Lincolnshire flyover in Cold War tour

Britain’s last flying Vulcan will salute airmen and women who fought in the Cold War by flying over V-Force bases on Thursday, September 25, which includes Lincolnshire.

Vulcan XH558 will soar over the ten stations, three of which are near Lincoln, which once housed Britain’s nuclear deterrent aircraft (the V-Force).

The flight, arranged by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, will be the last that the Vulcan will make during 2014.

The aircraft will visit RAF Air Force Stations:

• RAF Finningley (Now Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield)
• RAF Scampton
• RAF Coningsby
• RAF Marham
• RAF Honington
• RAF Wyton
• RAF Gaydon
• RAF Wittering
• RAF Cottesmore
• RAF Waddington.

The flight is scheduled to begin in the afternoon at around 2pm and exact timings and location of the Vulcan will be updated on the Cold War Tour webpage.

From the site, people wishing to track the aircraft’s progress will be able to download an app and links to video footage.

The Cold War Tour route, which will take place on September 25.

A commemorative route map is being designed as a gift for those who support the Cold War Tour with a donation of £25 or more.

Supporters who help to make the flight possible with donations will also receive a Cold War Tour 2014 collector’s certificate.

Those who would like a more permanent tribute, you can have a name and a dedication in XH558’s Cold War Season Book of Dedications that will fly in the aircraft during the tour.

The hashtag for those who would like to Tweet their support for the heroes of the Cold War is #558ColdWarTour.

Vulcan to the Sky Trust Chief Executive, Dr. Robert Pleming, said: “Because there were no great battles, we often forget the bravery of those who fought in the Cold War.

“This is a period of remarkable tension, courage and technical innovation that shaped our lives over four decades. At its peak, our airmen were ready to fly East with just 90 seconds notice, knowing there may be no United Kingdom to fly home to.”

Photography Competition

Each tour location will provide opportunities to take superb pictures of the last flying Vulcan.

To encourage keen amateur photographers to share their best work, the charity is launching a Cold War Tour photographic competition.

The best three pictures taken at each location and submitted to [email protected] will be published on the Vulcan XH558 Facebook page in a dedicated album, tweeted to Vulcan supporters and placed on the aircraft’s Pinterest page.

The best picture from each location, selected by an independent panel of specialists, will be published in the charity’s newsletter and featured in a unique, commemorative Cold War image compilation to be released for Christmas.

Winners will receive a copy personally signed by the Cold War Tour flight crew.