RAF Vulcan bomber to perform last ever Coventry display

Organisers say the 10-minute show will be the last time the ageing jet will be seen in the skies over the city



The world’s only airworthy Vulcan is due to stage a magnificent “full display” over Coventry on Sunday - just a week after its landing gear failed at another air show.

The ageing Cold War jet is taking to the sky from Coventry Airport as part of a nationwide tour before she is retired at the end of the year.

Although entry into the airfield is by ticket only, thousands of aircraft enthusiasts are expected to gather on nearby roads to catch a glimpse of the iconic plane, tail number XH558.

The Vulcan To The Sky Trust, which maintains and operates the 55-year-old nuclear bomber, said it could not give a specific time for the display, but it is thought it will be early to mid afternoon, weather permitting.

A message on its Facebook page yesterday said: “We are watching the weather closely to ensure full display of XH558.”

Following the Shoreham air disaster, when a vintage Hawker Hunter crashed onto a main road during a display, killing 11 people, significant restrictions were imposed on vintage jets in air shows by the UK’s aviation regulator.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said old jets would be “limited to flypasts” and “high-energy aerobatics” would not be permitted in displays over land.

Speaking last month, Jem Shaw, marketing director for Classic Air Force, based at Coventry Airport, said: “A great deal of planning goes into making sure that if something goes wrong with the plane - which will be flying low and slow, the most dangerous thing to do - the main consideration is that if it comes down it is in an unpopulated area.

“The problem is that these days there are very few airfields in the UK which don’t have a main road next to them.”

He added: “In our pre-show briefings we do into enormous detail about the routes and safety and public safety is huge and a great deal of depth and detail goes into it.”

Spent many happy hours on Vulcans. Make the most of this last opportunity, she's a great old bird.

She's sprung a fuel leak. Tomorrow might not be on. Need to check the website before travelling, an update is due about noon.

The Cold War nuclear bomber bid the city farewell ahead of being retired at the end of the year.



Crowds at Coventry Airport were wowed as the world’s only airworthy Vulcan roared through the skies above Baginton, being heard and seen for miles around.

Aeroplane enthusiasts in the area were given one last chance to see the Cold War jet as it took to the sky above the airport as part of a nationwide tour before she is retired at the end of the year.

Thousands gathered on nearby roads and in the airfield as dry weather allowed people to catch a glimpse of the iconic plane, tail number XH558.

A message on its Facebook page said the plane’s crew was made up of Bill Ramsey, Bill Perrins and Phil Davies.

The Vulcan To The Sky Trust, maintains and operates the 55-year-old nuclear bomber.

Video by Paul Taylor