From todays Vulcan XH558 Newsletter. Looks like there getting their hands on another British classic -
The team that returned Vulcan XH558 to flight is to return another iconic all-British jet
to the airshow circuit
Canberra WK163 – Holder of the World Altitude Record in 1957 – our next return to flight project photographed in 2006 before she was grounded due to engine issues.
One of Britain’s most important jet-age aircraft is to be returned to flight. English Electric Canberra WK163 spent most of her life playing a central role in the development of advanced propulsion technologies followed by a period with the Royal RADAR Establishment, at the heart of British scientific and engineering innovation. In 1957, she shot into the headlines around the world when a prototype Napier Double Scorpion rocket motor fired her to 70,310ft and a new world altitude record.
In 1957, she shot into the headlines around the world when a prototype Napier Double Scorpion rocket motor fired her to 70,310ft and a new world altitude record.Since her final flight in 2007, this famous aircraft, with ‘holder of the world altitude record’ proudly written on her nose, has faced an uncertain future.
Now she is to be restored and returned to the airshow circuit with the aim of helping to celebrate the centenary of the RAF in 2018.
The restoration will be undertaken by Vulcan to the Sky Trust, the award-winning charity responsible for the restoration and operation of Vulcan XH558.
“WK163 embodies so much that is remarkable about British courage and innovation in the Jet Age; qualities that she can continue to inspire in us all,” states Dr. Robert Pleming, who led the team that returned XH558 to flight and is now chief executive of Vulcan to the Sky Trust. “I am thrilled to announce that the Trust plans to restore and fly her for the British public, as we did with Vulcan XH558, with an education programme around her to inspire new generations of engineers and aviators.”
Regarding the info above, I have to say, it's quite a brave move restoring to flight a 1950's jet in the current climate following Shoreham.
Theres so many restrictions placed on that era of jet right now as well as so many being either grounded or being sold to overseas customers during the last few months because it's not viable to fly them right now in the UK. I wish them well with this, It will be great to see her flying again...& like XH558, it's another aircraft that once called Bruntingthorpe home.
This as yet unidentified example came from the recently closed 'Past Times Museum' in the West Yorkshire area where it had been for a number of years . It has been completely stripped out internally with a view to turning it into a flight sim .
So far its identity has eluded the best , well some , of the UK's finest Wrecks & Relics enthusiasts although the smart money is on it possibly being T4 WT482 which was previously at Long Marston . Any help gratefully received !
Hi David - has this cockpit section been rebuilt or made into a sim ?
WT482 was one of our T4's on 231 OCU in the early 1970's...
Last edit: 03 May 2018 10:50 by netcompsys. Reason: de photobucketed
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