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Writings/XM655 Taxi Run 15-Jun-2003 |
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Writings/XM655 Taxi Run 15-Jun-2003 |
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Click here, or any of the thumbnails, to see all the pictures.
Extra or correctional information is presented thus.
I'd been waiting for this day for quite some time. I've long been a fan of the Vulcan, and have waxed lyrical about it to my much-suffering wife (Helen) on many an occasion. The date had been marked on the calender since the day I found out about the run.
However, about a week before the run, I was doing the budget for the next few weeks (since Helen started her new job and we had quite a few unexpected expenses) and found that we would not be able to afford the petrol. Resigning myself to only seeing the event via other peoples pictures on the web, I thought no more of it.
By chance, on Monday, my wife and my mother-in-law (Heather) were chatting about the coming weekend and Heather mentioned that she had to go to a meeting of the Education Committee of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers in... Wellesbourne. My wife mentioned to Heather about the taxi run and how disappointed I was to not be able to go. Quick as a flash, Heather offered to give us a lift down and back.
So, big thanks to Heather for everything she has done for us.
Saturday night, Heather arrived to stay over since we needed to leave very early in the morning. The alarm clock was set, and sleep happened. Until about 3:30. When the new cat (Thomas) decided that he wanted to shout about something. He managed to wake up myself and Heather, and neither of us were able to get back to sleep. Helen, being able to sleep through someone vacuuming the floor around her, slept on.
Sunday morning, 5:30AM, the alarm went off. We staggered out, did the usual morning things and packed our picnic. Draining the last of our drinks, we left the house and were on the road at about 6:30. The journey down was interrupted by a break for breakfast and a read of the newspaper.
We arrived at the church which was hosting the meeting which Heather was attending and discussed the travel to the airfield. We realised that it would be simplest if I was to borrow the car and drive Helen and myself to the event. Saying goodbye to Heather, we set off in the direction of the airfield (which we had previously seen signs for).
Finding the airfield, we also found the queue. It wasn't too bad at that point, although I did overhear someone saying later (about 1PM if I recall correctly) that the queue was about 2 miles long at that time. 1368 squadron, Air Training Corps, were providing security and marshalling, and manning the entry. We paid our small entry fee to the very polite young man and, following the waved instructions, travelled down the road, eventually coming to rest in our designated parking spot.
Pausing only to slather sunblock on my arms, we walked back along the track towards the airfield. Passing the rather nicely graffited building (actually quite tasteful) we approached the end of the hardstanding on which XM655 was standing. This gave us the first sight of the aircraft, albeit at long distance.
We walked down the side of the hardstanding, pausing briefly for me to use the toilet block and Helen gained her first clear sight of a Vulcan "in the flesh". Her (oft repeated) comment was that the aircraft is wider, but not as long, as had been expected.
There were a number of stalls there, XM655 MaPS, XH558 club and the Royal Air Forces Association were all represented, along with a number of stalls selling models, honey, drinks and the obligatory ice-cream van. There was also a PA system which (when XM655's engines weren't running) was doing a good job of announcing "Happy Fathers Day" messages and keeping us up to date on changes to the program. Unfortunatly, when the engines were running, it was almost impossible to hear the PA system.
After walking down the line of stalls, and working out roughly how much money we wanted to spend, we stopped for an ice-cream and a chat. There was still a lot of activity going on around the aircraft, and I can only assume that there were some checks going on.
We wandered around for a bit, looked at the classic cars, and spent more money than we had expected to (or had brought with us - Credit Cards have their uses!). Eventually we decided that eating our lunch would be a good idea and we sat down on a patch of grass and scoffed and talked. All around us there was the sound of enthusiasts enjoying themselves, mixed with the sounds of children whining, and parents scolding. This didn't spoil the day. I was too excited at the prospect of being able to see and hear XM655 moving. My father was in the RAF, and I remember Battle of Britain airshows where the Vulcan was (for me) the star attraction.
Realising that the time was approaching for the APP start, we walked back over to the crash barrier beside the hardstanding, where we could see increased activity under the aircraft. We were standing behind a couple of people, when one of them decided to go and eat his lunch. We casually slipped into the position he had vacated, right up against the crash barrier. This gave us a prime position, right across from the aircraft (as can be seen from the picture).
I took these pictures by holding the camera up and pressing the shutter release. I have no information on how many people were there, but I estimate over 1000. These pictures do not really do justice to the number of people. It was wonderful to feel like one is a part of something more than just a normal airshow. This was so much more. Most of these people had turned out to see the same thing we came to see. XM655, powered up and moving under her own power.
The age range of the people there was quite amazing. I suspect that a lot of the kids had come along with their parents, but I'd like to think that they went away with more of an appreciation of what makes the Vulcan such a special aircraft.
The air of anticipation was increasing, when we were treated to the arrival of the Antonov AN-2 belonging to Aero Troika. This is the largest, single engined, bi-plane in existance. After some discussions with the 655 ground crew, they taxied the aircraft around and parked at the back of the hardstanding, waiting for XM655 to move out of the way. As they moved the aircraft, a cloud of dust enveloped us when the back of the aircraft was towards us.
There was more activity around the aircraft, more noise from people behind me, and more announcements on the PA. Suddenly, for no reason I can fathom, I turned. I already had the camera in my hands and was able to see the Jaguar as it came over the horizon behind me. My hands flew up, and (more by luck than judgement) I was able to catch a picture of the Jaguar going past. There are no words I can use to express the speed, or sound, of this aircraft, so I'm not going to try. Surfice to say that a large number of people, who had not turned round, were startled (for want of a stronger word) by the noise. Apparently the Jaguar and the Sea Vixen (mentioned below) both came from a Classic Jets airshow at Kemble.
After the excitement of the Jaguar had passed, and the frightened child behind us had calmed down, we turned our attention back to XM655. There was still a general air of anticipation almost visible from the groundcrew. The fire engine had moved up to beside the aircraft, and the fire crew were being given a guided tour of the aircraft, including a cockpit visit. Some pictures were taken of the fire crew in full uniform, in front of the aircraft, with their appliance being moved to be in the pictures as well.
Also on the program was a fly-past by a DH Sea Vixen (there was also supposed to be a fly-past by a DH Vampire, but for some reason which I'm not aware of, it didn't materialise. "The Vampire didn't turn up because it was hemmed in on the ground at Kemble by a badly parked Jet Provost!"). Unlike the Jaguar, the Sea Vixen performed a number of circuits, allowing me to take a number of shots. Unfortunatly I didn't have the zoom function enabled at the time, so they are a little "distant".
Eventually the time came for the engine start. As people started getting more eager, and the number of people by the crash barrier increased, the cadets of 1368 Air Training Corps were once again pressed into service to act as security to keep people behind the barrier. I'm not going to try to put into words how it felt to be stood there, part of this great upwelling of anticipation, this great feeling of belonging to a disparate, yet united, group of people. The engines were started. The rumble and throb and "spooling" noises were as wonderful as I had expected. To hear once more that distinctive sound of a Vulcan, shouting her defiance at the cost cutting which had robbed her of her rightful place in the sky, was one of the most wonderful sounds I have ever heard. And yet, although it reminded me of airshows in the past, there was something different, something mournful, in the note.
As the aircraft commander slipped the brakes, as she started forward, there was an almost magical moment, when I saw those great wheels start to turn, when I realised that, once more, she was moving under her own power.
All around me I could feel the exhalation as people released the breaths they had been holding. I could feel the sense of wonder and joy that filled the area. Or maybe I was projecting my own feelings on others! In either case, it was a fantastic feeling.
Helen had gone to the runway boundary fence, once the first engine had started, to try to make sure we had somewhere to stand. Once the aircraft had moved out towards the runway junction, I (and many others) turned and headed towards the boundary fence. Pausing only to take these two shots, I found Helen and took my place alongside those others who were supporters of, and believers in, this great aircraft.
As the aircraft sat at the junction, the air of anticipation grow until suddenly the gentle rumble became a roar as the aircraft commander throttled up and the aircraft moved forward.
The commander did the first taxi up the runway in a series of zig-zag steps, pausing so that each part of the crowd line had the chance to see the aircraft head on, from the side, and from behind. The latter involved us being covered in a wash of jet exhaust, with the smell of fuel, and the heat, which combined to produce a sensation like nothing I've experienced before. Even during the shows I used to go to with my family, we weren't allowed as close to the aircraft as we were during this run.
The aircraft turned round at the end of the runway, paused, throttled up and came past us. Turning at the junction this was repeated once more. Each time the aircraft passed me, I tried to get a better position to allow me to take better pictures. I'm quite pleased with the end results considering this was the first time I'd tried to use this camera against a moving target.
The run was over too quickly (but isn't that always the way when one is enjoying something) and the aircraft taxied back to the hard standing. The engines were shut down and the ground crew did their checks. The crew emerged to a round of applause.
We had to head up past the aircraft to the brick building again, and on the way I noticed that the AN-2 had moved to beyond XM655. Whilst waiting for Helen to emerge announcing that she was right and "There is always a queue for the Ladies!", I took the picture to the right.
Walking back down to XM655, we were passed by the fire engine leaving and waved to the fire crew, to be greated with a returned wave. I get the impression that they had enjoyed their time with the crew and volunteers. We also passed the AN-2, but decided to have a look on our way back to the car after the Red Arrows had gone past. For some reason quite a few people were leaving at this point in time. I can't understand going to see a show like this and not wanting to see the aircraft close up. I also can't understand not waiting for the Red Arrows. But, each to their own I suppose.
Arriving back by the aircraft just as access was granted, we joined the
throng streaming across the hard standing towards the aircraft. This was
Helen's first chance to get "up-close-and-personal" with the
aircraft and it was obvious that she hadn't really understood
just how big this aircraft is.
Walking under the aircraft towards the rear was a wonderful experience, reminding me of airshows that I had attended with my family many years ago. Pausing to place a hand on the bomb bay door, it (as Helen commented) made it more real. I don't know if she knew it, but she was paraphrasing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: First Contact, when he said "touch can connect you to an object in a very personal way, make it seem more real." (Having just asked, the answer is yes, she was aware.)
I had occasion, about a year ago, to visit XL391 at Blackpool and I was heartbroken to see how badly she has been maintained. I get the strong impression there has been no work done on that aircraft since she was parked. I was able to reach up and put my fingers on the inside of her jet pipes, the cowlings having long gone. I used this fact, whilst pointing at the jet pipes on XM655 to demonstrate to Helen how much XL391 has suffered in both having her tyres burst, and in sinking into the ground.
Chatting to an ATC officer, we discovered that there had been vandalism to the aircraft the night before and the ground crew had been working until 2AM to fix it. I still cannot understand the mentality of the sort of people who would damage something like this. The officer was of the opinion that it is because someone has something that they don't. I'm not sure it's a simple as that, but if we ever find the reason, I hope we can sort it out.
I have since been informed that this information was incorrect and the situation was caused by a nose wheel steering problem during the tests which were done on Saturday. However the working till the early hours is correct. For which I know I am very appreciative.
We wandered around the aircraft, took the obligatory photographs and generally enjoyed the sensation of standing under the most gorgeous aircraft ever built. Helen noticed that it was nearly time for the Red Arrows to arrive, so we walked back to the crowd area and waited. We were not disappointed. Seeing all 10 Arrows in formation is very unusual, since they only fly 9 for displays, saving Red 10 as a standby aircraft. I believe they were on their way to or from another display and detoured to perform a flypast. Apparently they were on their way to Kemble for the Classic Jets airshow. I, for one, am glad that they did. It was a wonderful end to a wonderful day.
I'd like to say a huge "Thank You" to all those who work so hard to keep this magnificant aircraft in such good condition.
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 All content copyright 1988- Carl C. Inglis (except where noted otherwise). |
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