Vulcan to the Sky & Cold War Jets Collection

[cessna152towser]

Those of you who are interested in old warbirds will recall previous threads covering the Vulcan bomber gate guardian at Carlisle Airport, of which the Solway Aviation Museum where I am a volunteer is custodian and arranges guided tours. Recently our Vulcan donated some (non-visible) parts to a sister aircraft which is being restored to flying condition some 25 years after these giant bombers were withdrawn from active service and 15 years since the final example last flew on the airshow circuit. Today I visited Bruntingthorpe, near Leicester, in the English midlands to view progress and to see some of the other aircraft in the Cold War Jets Collection.

The giant Vulcan takes shape in her hangar, hopefully to fly later this summer.

The nose cone and cockpit have still to be refitted.

Under the wing, showing undercarriage bay; there are around a dozen engineers employed full time on the project.

Another impressive old V-bomber, the Victor.

A pair of Jet Provost trainers.

Sea Hawk.

Buccaneer, with folding wings for storage on an aircraft carrier.

Another Buccaneer

A Canberra, originally intended as a bomber, but fitted with experimental equipment.

[cessna152towser]

A De Havilland Comet RAF transport aircraft.

......and last but not least the Piper Cherokee Warrior used for today's trip !

American forumites may be interested to note that Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome was used as a heavy bomber base by USAFE during the 1950's & 1960's.

[macwilkin]

Alex,

I'm a big fan of the Hawker Hunter -- have you seen any of them of recent?

Todd

[McClef]

Great piccies Alex.

I remember seeing the Vulcans at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall when I was younger.

[cessna152towser]

I'm a big fan of the Hawker Hunter -- have you seen any of them of recent?

There are two Hunters in the Cold War Jets Collection, one is a fighter and the other is the T.7 two-seat trainer version.
There are also two Hunters in the Royal Air Force Museum at RAF Cosford where I visited on Sunday.
Last time I saw one flying was at the air display at York Air Museum last summer.

[macwilkin]

There are two Hunters in the Cold War Jets Collection, one is a fighter and the other is the T.7 two-seat trainer version.
There are also two Hunters in the Royal Air Force Museum at RAF Cosford where I visited on Sunday.
Last time I saw one flying was at the air display at York Air Museum last summer.

I would love to see a Hunter up close. I used to have a model of a Hunter, in Rhodesian Air Force markings.

T.

[Splash_4]

You have got to quit that now Alex! Old war birds are a passion of mine and I spent about a year helping restore an old B-17 for static display... Those are awsome shots and let's hope they are never lost or forgotten!

[Macman]

Very nice pictures, Alex. Thanks for sharing.

[Nervous Jock]

Will be good to see the old Vulcan fly again, especially around the 25th anniversary of the obvious.

[Luckey]

Thanks for sharing. Wonderful pictures!