Thousands of people turned out to see a Cold War bomber's first flight at an airshow in 15 years. The Vulcan, which cost £7m to restore, flew in a five minute display at The RAF Waddington International Air Show
About 125,000 people turned out to see the Vulcan's milestone flight. Some 20,000 people have contributed to the restoration fund for the bomber. A total of £2.7m funding also came from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Pilot David Thomas said it was hard work flying the Vulcan. He said: "The cockpit is very small and gets very, very hot so by the time I've done that five minute display, I'm really covered in sweat."
As well as the RAF Waddington show, the Vulcan has been given the green light to take part in the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, Gloucestershire, and the Farnborough airshow in Hampshire.
Dr Robert Pleming, from the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, said: "I feel so proud.
"Of course this is a massive team effort, not only my own relatively small team but all the companies around the UK and the tens of thousands of the public who have supported us.”It really is the people's aircraft." The Vulcan was restored over a 15-year period in Bruntingthorpe but RAF Waddington was its home when it was operational.
Earlier this year, the aircraft passed its first inspection - equivalent to an MOT for planes - at the airfield where it has been kept since being decommissioned in 1993.
Designed in 1948 by Roy Chadwick, the aircraft could travel at speeds of up to 645mph and was capable of carrying nuclear bombs.
There were 134 Vulcan’s built and the plane also saw action during the Falklands conflict. It was later used as an air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
I saw the Vulcan on one of its last flights while I was at RAF Bruggen in 1992; it was an awesome aircraft the last of the V bombers. We have a Vulcan on the ground at Southend airport, although not airworthy it still looks a great aircraft.
