Vulcan Bomber

Thursday 29th July 2010

The Vulcan B.2 aircraft XH558 flew over Lerryn, yesterday (28th July), on its way to the RNAS Culdrose Air Day.

The aircraft entered service in 1960 and had its final flight in 1993.  Following 10 years of maintenance work, it flew again in 2007.  This year is the aircraft's 50th birthday.  It costs £50,000 per month to keep it flying.  During the Cold War, the aircraft carried nuclear bombs but later was used as a conventional bomber.  It was involved in the Falkland War.  There was a race against time to repair a faulty brake unit which prevented the Vulcan bomber from flying at the Farnborough Air Display on Sunday.  A new brake unit was fitted and, with little time to spare, the aircraft took to the air.  It flew over Liskeard and then passed over Lerryn at 3.40pm.  Unfortunately, only tantalising glimpses of the aircraft could be seen as it emerged from gaps in the clouds.  It could still be seen from Lerryn as it reached the coast where the sky was clear.    To read more about this aircraft visit www.vulcantothesky.org