Engine failure grounds Vulcan for two weeks

“After the Black Buck raids, the Argentinians dispersed their aircraft around the country for fear that the Vulcan could somehow reach the mainland. So the Vulcan could still be synonymous to them. However, I'm sure that the attack by HMS Conqueror, on the General Belgrano with the loss of323 lives, may well be top of their memories, judging by their reactions on the news that HMS Talent is due to patrol around the Falklands.”

“" the Lancaster is by far the most synonymous aircraft associated with the county"

Anyone of Argentinian descent would probably disagree with that statement and claim that the Hawker Siddeley Harrier was pretty Synonymous with this country.

How about the Gloster Meteor which was the first production aeroplane to fly with Frank Whillte's turbojet engine?”

“While you state that the Vulcan is a "small footnote in the history of the county", DufferBadge, it certainly wasn't in the avionic world.
As a flying test bed, they tested the engines for the TSR2 project, idiotically cancelled by the Wilson government, Concorde and the Panavia Tornado as well as taking part in projects, which made flying safer, such as blind landings.
Comparing the Lancaster and Vulcan, both did the role for which they were designed for. The Lancaster was part of bomber command and dropped bombs on the axis powers in WW2.The Vulcan was part of the nuclear deterrent and, thankfully, didn't have to carry out its role.
Whatever anyones opinion is, two things that are Lincolnshire sounds are the throaty sound of merlins and the wonderful Olympus howl.”

“Zzzzzzzzzz.....”

“The Lincolnshire sausage has no prominent place in county history, it is just a sausage that is made in numerous other counties in the country.”

“As for the Vulcan "resisting a Soviet attack"...exactly when was that?"

During the "cold war" as stated! both sides traded shows of strength to stop either side from actually attacking.”

“The Lincolnshire Sausage has a more prominent place in county history than this plane that can't get off the ground, and that has also failed. As for the Vulcan "resisting a Soviet attack"...exactly when was that?”

“Sorry Bicksy, I too grew up in the County during the 70's. I am aware of its role during the Cold War and the operation during the Falklands and I have feelings of nostalgia for the plane, but it is still a small footnote in the history of the county - which stretches back long before the 20th Century. Even in terms of the RAF, the Lancaster is by far the most synonymous aircraft associated with the county. Most people in the country would neither know nor care where the Vulcans were based, in the same way I don't now where the Centurion Tank was based during it's long lifetime.
I'm sure your father did an important job but I don't think he was solely responsible for keeping me and the country safe. So yes, I still think you are over egging it.”

“Sounds like a servicing error to me. As Robin Hood is an active airfield, you aren't going to getg bags of silica gel lying around on the runway, so where did they come from ?”

“From the website

The technical team spent yesterday (Tuesday) investigating the engine damage on XH558, to determine its cause and to start assessing the timescale and cost of rectification.

We have already established that both engines No.1 and No.2 on the port side are sadly beyond repair, both having suffered blade damage and the effect of excessive heat.

The primary cause of the damage has been determined to be ingestion of silica gel desiccant bags. The most likely sequence of events was that material was ingested by No.1 engine, which surged and suffered LP compressor blade failure. Debris was then sucked into No. 2 which then also failed.

All relevant agencies and technical authorities have been informed. "We have been greatly reassured by the support from industry colleagues, and would like to thank all those who have offered help," said engineering director Andrew Edmondson.

We would also like to place on record our thanks to all at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield for their swift and professional reaction on Monday, whilst also apologising to those affected by delays or diversions.

In accordance with normal procedures, a formal investigation into the incident has been opened, chaired by the Chairman of the Trust's Safety Review Committee.

The technical inspection has so far showed that no airframe damage was sustained, with damage being limited to the engines. The next step is to replace the damaged engines with two from the Trust's remaining stock. Timescales for a return to flight are not yet clear – we will of course update the web site with progress and give details in the e-newsletters each week.

"We are deeply sorry that this incident has happened, and at this time in 2012. The additional unplanned costs are clearly very worrying as resources are, as ever very tight" said the charity's chief executive, Dr. Robert Pleming. "We are actively working on a plan to recover our Jubilee season schedule and we will share this with you as soon as practical via the newsletter, Facebook page, Twitter feed and the web site." ”