The last flying Vulcan in her original Cold War hangar (the former RAF Finningley during her Winter Service)© Courtesy Vulcan to the Sky Trust
Vulcan XH558 is being serviced in phases ahead of a packed 2012 schedule that will see the historic Cold War bomber take to the UK's skies in a series of flights to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
The flights will celebrate 60 years of British achievement in the year that is also the Diamond Jubilee of the Vulcan aircraft type.
Now the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, which looks after the last airworthy example, is once again fund raising in order to carry out the necessary repairs (estimated at £400,000-plus) that the 51-year-old aircraft needs in order to be safe and airworthy.
"We are nearing the end of the inspection phase of the first service package, which includes the ejection seats, canopy, flying controls and airbrakes, so we have a good feel for the scope of work and the replacement parts that we need to source," said Andrew Edmondson, the Trust's engineering director.
Only 13 faults have been detected. These range from simple problems with corroded electrical connectors to a kinked delivery pipe within the cockpit oxygen system.
"Rectification of the majority of these appears to be straightforward and we have most of the components we need in our stores," added Edmondson. "Considering the age and technology content of this aircraft, our team of just five ground crew has done a fantastic job keeping her in excellent condition."
Components that have reached the end of their installed life must also be removed for refurbishment or replacement.
An iconic example of British aerospace engineering, the delta winged Vulcan bomber was at the forefront of Britain's V-force nuclear strike deterrent for much of the Cold War.
After first taking to the skies in 1952, it was eventually withdrawn from service in 1984 – with its only taste of combat being the long range bombing of the Argentinean-held Stanley Airport during the Falklands conflict in 1982.
More pictures:
The cockpit canopy is removed to allow the ejection seats to be removed and tested© Courtesy Vulcan to the Sky Trust
The close cockpit conditions are revealed as the ejection seats are made ready for removal© Courtesy Vulcan to the Sky Trust
Electrical systems on Engine 2 are inspected as part of the first phase of the service© Courtesy Vulcan to the Sky Trust
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