Timings released as Vulcan embarks on Southern tour

XH558 took off on time from Doncaster Airport at 1pm and is expected to reach Gloucester Airport at 3.35pm before travelling to RAF Brize Norton, passing over the base ten minutes later. 

The route between these points will see the Vulcan fly over the Cotswolds just south of Northleach. 

These timings are appoximations to keep updated with tour's progress follow @XH558 on twitter. 

Please send your pictures of the Vulcan to ellen.webster@newsquest.co.uk

XH558's route across the Cotswolds

The Vulcan was developed by aircraft manufacture Avro in the early 1950s and first entered RAF service in July 1956.

Part of the V-Force alongside the Vickers Valiant and Handley Page Victor, the Vulcan was the backbone of the United Kingdom’s airborne nuclear deterrent during the Cold War.

For 24-hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, the Vulcan’s crew were on ‘Quick Reaction Alert’, ready to take off within two minutes in the event of a Soviet Attack.

In 1982 the RAF embarked on several long-range bombing missions against Argentinean positions in the Falkland Islands, the only time the Vulcan has been used in anger.

XH558’s Chief Pilot Martin Withers, was involved in the first of these missions, placing a bomb in the centre of the runway at Port Stanley airfield, highlighting its vulnerability and forcing Argentina to reconsider its plans.

The RAF retired the Vulcan from service in 1984. XH558 continued to fly as an RAF display aircraft until March 23, 1993.

In 1997, a small team, headed by Dr Robert Pleming started to plan the return of XH558. Ten years and £7 million later, she took to the skies once again on October 18 2007 and has been a highlight of air displays ever since.

At the end of this month XH558 will no longer be airworthy, following the withdrawal of vital engineering support from BAE Systems, Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group and Rolls Royce.

For more information about Vulcan XH558’s national tour visit www.vulcantothesky.org