Blast from the past - restored Avro Vulcan makes airshow debut

from Aero Gizmo (451 articles)

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Avro Vulcan XH558 at the Farnborough Airshow 2008

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July 18, 2008 A clear favorite of the local crowd, the newly restored Avro Vulcan XH558 blasted into the Farnborough Airshow this week. The only remaining airworthy example of the formidable subsonic bombers which saw active service Royal Air Force for the between 1953 and 1984 will appear again over the weekend when the airshow opens its doors to the general public.

The XH558 was the twelfth of 134 Vulcan bombers built and first flew in 1960. It was also the the last Vulcan in service and was kept in a serviceable condition after it was retired from active duties. In August last year the aircraft's No.3 Rolls-Royce Olympus 202 jet engine was fired up for the first time in two decades and appearances this month mark its first public displays since restoration.