Wing Commander Phil Davies, a respected Lincolnshire native and the final pilot to navigate the renowned Vulcan bomber, is ardently aiding a novel initiative to commemorate this esteemed aircraft. Recognisable as the Avro XH558 for its instrumental role during the Cold War era, it became the Vulcan with the longest service record in RAF history. Presently, plans are progressing to establish ‘The Vulcan Experience’ at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), with a fundraising campaign set to conserve its legacy. Wing Commander Davies, who helmed the bomber on its last expedition in 2015, stressed the significance of perpetuating the tale of this ‘iconic aeroplane’, an aircraft popular with the public.
The Vulcan to the Sky Trust, tasked with preserving the aeroplane, is contending with financial obstacles, a situation made worse by DSA’s 2022 shutdown. Albeit, FlyDoncaster Ltd has pinpointed a potential location for the envisioned visitor centre, set to display XH558 as its focal point. The aim of this centre is to recount the history of the RAF, the Cold War and the V-Force bombers, in addition to examining the aviation sector’s future relative to climate change.
Wing Commander Davies underscored that the proposed centre could function as an ‘educational nexus’ for young individuals, offering knowledge about historical and prospective aeronautical innovations. Despite ongoing negotiations concerning the airport’s potential reopening, the hope to safeguard the Vulcan’s story for future generations still shines brightly.
This article was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reportage provided by www.bbc.com.
