As part of its support for the project, AD Group plans to supply a state-of-the-art FlightVu digital video recorder, and associated CCTV cameras, from its subsidiary AD Aerospace, to provide valuable in-flight footage of this historic aircraft.
To reach a position where Vulcan XH558, which left RAF service in 1993, is only weeks away from obtaining a Civil Aviation Authority permit-to-fly, is the end result of an eleven year restoration project.
This has been made possible by the hard work of a network of volunteers and funding from business and private donations.
Mike Newton, AD Group’s CEO, who attended a recent test flight, said: “The Vulcan is undoubtedly one of the pinnacles of British aircraft design and engineering, ranking alongside Concorde and the Harrier, in terms of milestones in our aviation history. Thanks to the efforts of the ‘Vulcan to the Sky’ team, the restored Vulcan rekindles memories for those of us who lived through the Cold War era and for the younger generation should bring an important part of our history to life.
“As a business we are delighted to have been able to support this fantastic project. The professionalism and dedication of everyone involved is to be commended.”
The Vulcan first flew in 1952 and alongside Valiant and Victor bombers became the mainstay of Britain’s nuclear deterrent force during the Cold War. Later when Polaris submarines took over this role the venerable Vulcan was reconfigured as a conventional bomber. It led an audacious airstrike on Port Stanley runway during the Falklands war, with an aircraft flying all the way from Ascension to the Falkland islands, refueled in-flight – a record distance of 8,000 miles.
