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XH558 grounded
Posted: 11 Sep 2013, 17:35
by clavel9
Looks like XH558's fuel tank problem is going to keep her grounded for the rest of the year.
http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/502/ ... -NEWS.html
Such a pity as she was scheduled to take part in a flypast in Dublin on Sunday and it would have been my best chance of seeing her in flight.
Re: XH558 grounded
Posted: 11 Sep 2013, 17:43
by Garry Russell
An improvement in a way as they are talking about raising the funding for the next two years when a few month back this was going to be the last season...again!!
So maybe next year mate...they might make a point of including any missed venue's
Re: XH558 grounded
Posted: 11 Sep 2013, 17:49
by clavel9
Garry Russell wrote:An improvement in a way as they are talking about raising the funding for the next two years when a few month back this was going to be the last season...again!!
So maybe next year mate...they might make a point of including any missed venue's
Unfortunately the event in Dublin is a one-off. She appeared at Newcastle in Co. Down during the summer: more's the pity I couldn't get there. There is an annual air show at Bray in County Wicklow so that might be an alternative: a B-52 showed up there 3 years ago.
Re: XH558 grounded
Posted: 11 Sep 2013, 18:10
by Garry Russell
I see, still, looks like she'll be around again so there is always hope you'll get to see it somewhere
Re: XH558 grounded
Posted: 12 Sep 2013, 14:24
by Motormouse
At least its' only a bag tank thats' given a problem. For those that don't know, these are rubber bags shaped to fit the space available
and provide a fuel-tight 'cell'.
ttfn
Pete
Re: XH558 grounded
Posted: 12 Sep 2013, 14:51
by Garry Russell
That's probably why they can get one made...just the lead time that's the problem.
Those rubber tanks were all the rage at the time...the Viscount had them, but were prone to leaks that were not easily dealt with other than replacement which was quite a big job getting into the wing to un button and button up the replacement...well, on the Viscount at least it was.
But it is a doable job and not something that is likely to of need to end the life of a machine...just a cost and time issue.
The Vulcan guys are quite right in saying that's it for this year, any promises of a chance is a non starter.
I'm just pleased it's not over yet after the engine probs and how that looked for the future not very long ago.