Metal Supermarkets helps restore Vulcan bomber

Citation

(1999), "Metal Supermarkets helps restore Vulcan bomber", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771bab.027

Metal Supermarkets helps restore Vulcan bomber

Metal Supermarkets helps restore Vulcan bomber

Keywords Aircraft, Metal Supermarkets

Thousands of people enjoyed a rare opportunity to see a famous piece of Britain's aeronautical heritage, the Vulcan bomber XM655, fire up its four Rolls-Royce Olympus 301 engines and thunder down the runway at Wellesbourne airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon (Plate 11).

Built by AVRO in Manchester between 1951 and 1964, the 90 ton, long range Vulcans formed the core of the RAF's élite squadron of 136 V Bombers which were the country's main deterrent during the height of the Cold War. Only 20 Vulcans are still in existence today and of these just four are capable of moving under their own power.

Plate 11 The Vulcan Bomber XM655 prior to its take-off from Wellesbourne airfield, UK

The youngest of these is the XM655 which has been restored to full working order by the Vulcan XM655 Maintenance and Preservation Society. Maintaining the XM655 is a constant challenge for the unpaid team of dedicated experts and enthusiasts, especially as lack of hangar space at Wellesbourne means that the 34 year old delta-winged aircraft is exposed to the elements all year round.

The most recent task is re-skinning the Vulcan's elevons which called for sheets of a special aluminium alloy, LI 66. The team therefore asked Metal Supermarkets Ltd for help.

Metal Supermarkets specialises in supplying small quantities of all kinds of metals cut to size through a nationwide chain of outlets. Not only did the company source the alloy for the project but also covered part of the cost.

For further details contact Metal Supermarkets Company Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1203 366301; Fax: +44 (0) 1203 366149.