It all started at the Abingdon Air and Country Show. Wandering back to the media tent with my lunch I was collared, in the nicest possible sense, by Richard Clarke, amiable PR man for the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTTST). He had an idea: “How about we try and get together a whole bunch of great British aircraft for a shoot at Bruntingthorpe in a few weeks?” Why not, I thought, knowing how popular such a plan would be with the enthusiast community and figuring it would be one that could also add a few pounds to both 558’s and Bruntingthorpe’s coffers.
With our new aviation social network launching a little while later, making the opportunity available to The Hangar's members seemed like the perfect plan and was one that Richard was only too happy to endorse. As Saturday 28th drew closer the plan began to take shape and, with the support of Dave Walton and the volunteers who look after Bruntingthorpe’s incredible collection of aircraft, it looked like it might happen.
The forecast in the days leading up to the event was pretty grim but, amazingly, on the morning of the event it looked a good deal more positive and, arriving at Bruntingthorpe at 14.00, well ahead of XH558’s arrival at 17.30, the sun was already beginning to break through, accompanied, however, by a rather brisk wind.
With a list of 20 winners to look after, plus media covering the event to spread the word in support of XH558 and Bruntingthorpe’s collection even further, the pressure was on to try and deliver the vision that Richard and I had discussed a few weeks earlier. GAR’s Geoff Hibbert, who, unlike myself, is what I call a ‘proper photographer’, was on hand to discuss where the aircraft should be positioned once XH558 arrived and, once that had been debated, all we could do was wait and see how things panned out.
Fortunately, those of who were there nice and early were treated to a small number of extras. First up was one of the resident Blackburn Buccaneers which was towed to the end of the runway, started its engines and, after what seemed like an eternity, made a brisk run down the runway and back again, taxying right past our assembled group. She was followed by the Victor, which needed to reposition ahead of the photo shoot - a great sight for me as this was, in B.1 form anyway, the aircraft my father worked on - and then a very good looking Hunter also stretched its Avon powered legs.
It brought it all home for me. I hadn’t visited Bruntingthorpe in ages and here I was, watching aircraft I hadn’t seen running under their own power for a long time (not the Hunter obviously!) and it was a fantastic experience. We’ve covered a number of retirements in the past 12 or so months (Nimrod MR.2, Dominie, Harrier, Tornado F.3, Jetstream) and seeing the likes of the Buccaneer and Victor maintained in working, albeit not flying condition, was a real smile inducer!
It also makes you realise just how lucky we are to have a flying Vulcan on the airshow circuit alongside, of course, a host of other classic jets such as the Sea Vixen, Hunters, Vampire, Meteor (soon to be Meteors), Venoms, Jet Provosts, Sea Hawk and Strikemasters. In reality, luck doesn’t have anything to do with it and it actually takes a vast amount of time, effort and money to keep all these jets in the air where they rightfully belong.
It surely makes all the arguments over donations and such like seem rather futile. If you’ve got a favourite and want to donate to that particular aircraft then do so without decrying those who decided to donate elsewhere. They all have a very valid place on the airshow circuit and there should be room for each and every one of them. Just because the campaign to keep the Vulcan airworthy has the highest profile and has perhaps embedded itself in the public consciousness more than say the Sea Vixen for example, that shouldn’t stop you donating to that equally worthy cause, or to any of the others. :
As news of the Vulcan’s imminent arrival broke, this signalled a surge towards the barriers, with almost everyone on site making their way forward to watch her come in to land at the airfield she called home for many years and from which she made her return to flight in 2007. Soon her trademark profile was sighted in the distance and she made a turn to the right and then round to the left to line up for an approach to the runway, with a single circuit planned ahead of a landing and full stop.
There were gasps as she appeared over the tops of the trees lining the airfield boundary, we all heard her before we could see her and one chap a few yards away from me exclaimed loudly “Good God” as she loomed in to sight, trees billowing apart like the launch sequence for Thunderbird 2! A touch of power and she climbed away effortlessly, noisily and impressively, seemingly close enough to reach out and touch, leaving the crowd in an almost stunned silence, all eyes following her around the circuit once the copious amount of dust and dirt she left in her wake had settled.
She was even lower the second time and, as the trees willingly parted to allow her a clear path, she gently touched down on Bruntingthorpe’s tarmac and trundled in to the distance, a crosswind just keeping her port undercarriage airborne until it too settled down on to the runway. A fantastic sight and a memory that I am sure will be treasured by everyone who witnessed it.
She taxied back and parked just across the runway (facing completely in the wrong direction for the planned photoshoot!) and, a short while later, we were allowed to walk across to see her as she was joined first by the Handley Page Victor and then English Electric Lightning. As those who were there will no doubt testify, the aircraft weren’t at this stage in anything like the ideal position for photographs, despite the unique nature of the Cold War triumvirate all parked together.
Eventually, however, with some pushing and prodding from Richard and Geoff, things started to move and, with a couple of tugs on hand, the aircraft were moved and we finally had a line up of Lightning, Buccaneer, Buccaneer, Victor and Vulcan. We didn’t, however, have the planned elevation, with use of a cherry-picker considered too risky due to the wind and the promised air stairs taken away to rescue the Nimrod crew, their jet stricken with hydraulic failure at the top of the airfield.
Finally, the Mighty Hunter was unceremoniously towed down to take its place on the line, next to XH558 and, albeit only briefly, some of the photographers were able to use the stairs for some elevated shots.
It wasn’t ideal and not everyone got to use them as the Nimrod crew was waiting to disembark, but we made the best of it and most people seemed happy, thank goodness. We did after all manage to conjure up a unique photographic opportunity and one which, unless XH558 returns to Bruntingthorpe for good, will, most likely, never ever be repeated.
Of that I am, understandably, quite proud, as should all of the volunteers who made it happen, Richard Clarke for concocting the plan in the first place and Dave Walton for all his support. So too should Geoff Hibbert who, at one point, I want to say sprinted but it was more of a fast walk, towards the tug team with XH558 to implore them to move her a few feet in to a better position for photography. A job as a volunteer marshaller surely awaits!
So, with the setting sun beating down on our line up of Cold War warriors, the photographers got their shots before heading back to their cars and home. Feedback has by and large been excellent and, having helped to create such a unique opportunity, I feel quite compelled to see what we can come up with next. Only time will tell – but watch this space.
2011-06-10 - j francis
A great idea however I was fortunate to be below Belvoir Castle when the Vulcan overflew on its way from Finningley. Would think more people would appreciate images of view points, notable buildings, events; that relate to their community - certainly there was huge interest that day in the local area - people's airplane - your place - they could have a diverse path to events soon!!
2011-06-03 - Peter Stewart
Surely, "triumverate", should be the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant?
Peter,
(2 tours on Valiants, 2 on Vulcans)
2011-05-31 - Peter Reoch
Thanks for a really great experience, it was an honour to one of the 20 photographers who got to see this unique line-up of cold war aircraft. Here's a shot of the photographers scrambling to get a shot when XH558, Victor and Lightning were first positioned - can anyone spot themselves? http://tinyurl.com/3bcagj7
If you would like to discuss using any of our imagery or feature content please contact us.