Vulcan to the Skies

[bongodriver]

Originally Posted by Bewolf

Using military aircraft, no matter what kind or of what period, for the opening ceremonies of the olympics is a bit of an oxymoron, imho. The olympics are the antithesis to armed conflict. This issue has nothing to do with patriotism (unless the only means of showing patriotism is in the military, which in the case of the UK I highly doubt)

Actually it's more for the 'spectacle' of having the national aerobatic team do their stuff........or is that blatant sword waving too?

[Bewolf]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

Actually it's more for the 'spectacle' of having the national aerobatic team do their stuff........or is that blatant sword waving too?

Red Arrows are cool and more then fitting to the setting. Its all about Aerobatics after all

[Davedog74]

il never forget going to airshows with my late father and seeing the vulcan,i wouldnt want the kids of today to miss out on that,if people want to donate good on them,and after reading some of the comments here il donate double what i intended to.
red arrows for the olympics though,the best in the world for the best in the world

[winny]

What's also being overlooked here is passion.

The Vulcan is'nt a representitive of British power it's a representitive of British engineering. It was put back in the air by enthusiasts. It's geeks with spanners and a passion. They looked at the vulcan and said let's get it flying again. If they end up spending 10 million on it then good on them. They got off their arses and actually did it.

Where passion and emotion are envolved who gives a **** about money.

It's a piece of aviation history. People who would never have seen a Vulcan fly have now, and as a fan of all things winged I say that it's a good thing.

I am greatful to the people who keep all obsolete types flying, just so that I can see them where they are meant to be seen. In the air.

[kendo65]

Personally speaking I'd like to see it kept flying, not for anything to do with its historical significance or as an exemplar of British engineering or patriotism, but solely for the sheer visceral thrill of experiencing such a machine at close quarters. (I experienced this a few years back. The video posted gives a fair idea of what it is like)

It's also surprisingly maneouverable for such a large aircraft. Read an account in a magazine from a Lightning pilot who recalled himself and his wingman trying unsuccessfully for over 30 minutes to get a (simulated) kill on a well-flown Vulcan in an exercise in the 70s.

Don't think that the Vulcan, or for that matter the BOB flight or any other historical or current military aircraft should be involved with the Olympics though. [actually, scratch that - as others have said, the Red Arrows would be great]

[Fossil-Goz]

Re the Openning Ceremony for the Olympics, as an aviation enthusiast lets have as many historic aircraft as possible. It's gotta be better than the Kangaroo's on bicycles that we had prior to the Sydney Olympics (cringe).

[ElAurens]

Why keep the Vulcan flying?

Because it may be the coolest aircraft currently flying that doesn't have a prop tacked on it's nose.

That's reason enough.

[=FI=Scott]

Seeing a Vulcan fly is great. Hearing it fly is something else.