My day at RAF Finningley (Robin Hood Airport) home of the Vulcan.

[Hedge]

The cry came out for Vulcan cleaners so as I was going to be oop norf after driving my Mum home (long story) I made contact.

I signed in at reception and was taken through and was a little bit overcome as I've not seen her since Dec 2010 in RAF Lyneham. Anyway first things first and the hunt for a pair of overalls which lasted all of a minute with the words "We don't get many in your size". 

Overall hunt aborted, a quick cuppa and then to the task. "There's the rags, there's the white spirit, spray and wipe oh and here's some steps."

Several hours later. Several drinks of water and various refreshing carbonated beverages later I had cleaned back from the APU exhaust to the back edge of the wing and one side of the undercarriage.

Yes knackered but oh so worth it. 

Yes some photos.














The bit I cleaned from the exhaust port backwards.

[jedi-knight83]

excellent

have they managed to replace the engines that blew up already?

How would one get involved in this.. love to take my dad. He'd love a day like that.

[gillm]

Cool , that hanger looks rather clutter free for the raf

[rich83]

Cool , that hanger looks rather clutter free for the raf

Its used for the guided tours, so thats probably why 

[Hedge]

Cool , that hanger looks rather clutter free for the raf

It's no longer a RAF hanger as it's owned by Robin Hood Airport.

have they managed to replace the engines that blew up already?

How would one get involved in this.. love to take my dad. He'd love a day like that.

I'm a member of the Vulcan to the Sky Club (http://club.vulcantothesky.org/jointheclub.asp) and I saw a post by one of the Engineers requesting volunteers.

Engine change is well under way. http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/363/82/Latest-engine-pictures.html

[Hedge]

The final part of the story mean't my ugly mug made it into the newsletter.

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/364/82/Engine-fitment-update.html

 

[Tfsi_Mike]

Great work Ian.  I've been subject to the noise of low fly training of the rapid reaction squadron of Typhoons for the last week.  Great to watch.

[Hedge]

Ooh Mike I am jealous. QRA Typhoons rock. 

Except when a bunch of doogooders winge about the noise of them going supersonic. 

[Tfsi_Mike]

Ooh Mike I am jealous. QRA Typhoons rock. 

Except when a bunch of doogooders winge about the noise of them going supersonic. 

I'll be whining by the end of 6 day weeks for 6 weeks working  the airfield noisy barstewardss lol

[Greeners]

 

Nice one matey, what better way to show your love than to polish her belly! 

What happened to the engine then? 

[gazbutS3]

nice 1 pal, a bit of a nerdy question, but what do they do about certifying any maintenance work carried out?, are there still certified Vulcan engineers knocking about?, if it was a bit closer to home I'd be more than happy to twirl some spanners  

[Hedge]

Nice one matey, what better way to show your love than to polish her belly! 

What happened to the engine then? 

Small incident involving some silica bags. 

nice 1 pal, a bit of a nerdy question, but what do they do about certifying any maintenance work carried out?, are there still certified Vulcan engineers knocking about?, if it was a bit closer to home I'd be more than happy to twirl some spanners 

They used to use a company called Marshalls for certification but over the years have become certified themselves. Vulcan engineers have become very thin on the ground over the years. Sadly it's become a bit of a labour of love for the guys involved.

Trust me once you have seen it it gets under your skin. I would say sadly but for me not seeing it last year was a much sadder thing. 

[gazbutS3]

Nice one matey, what better way to show your love than to polish her belly! 

What happened to the engine then? 

Small incident involving some silica bags. 

nice 1 pal, a bit of a nerdy question, but what do they do about certifying any maintenance work carried out?, are there still certified Vulcan engineers knocking about?, if it was a bit closer to home I'd be more than happy to twirl some spanners 

They used to use a company called Marshalls for certification but over the years have become certified themselves. Vulcan engineers have become very thin on the ground over the years. Sadly it's become a bit of a labour of love for the guys involved.

Trust me once you have seen it it gets under your skin. I would say sadly but for me not seeing it last year was a much sadder thing. 

Marshalls at Cambridge, have worked there, I'm sure it does pal 

[Hedge]

Dunno if it's Marshals at Cambridge but at the end of the day they need to sign it off.

As the Vulcan now comes under CAA jurisdiction then I don't know. 

[RedRobin]

.
Great pic of you, Ian - Looks like you are holding up the wing!

A pic to always cherish