Vulcan bomber for Diamond Jubilee tour

The only remaining airworthy Vulcan bomber is to take to the skies during 2012 for a Diamond Jubilee tour in honour of the Queen.

The much loved British delta-winged aircraft will fly at air shows and displays across the UK as A Salute to Her Majesty.

The sight of Vulcan XH558 – named the Spirit of Great Britain – roaring overhead will be one of the more dramatic events planned to mark the milestone.

Robert Pleming, chief executive officer of the Vulcan To The Sky Trust which bought and restored the bomber, said: “The Trust is currently planning for the Spirit of Great Britain to visit over 30 destinations around the country, touring Britain for the Diamond Jubilee as no other icon of her era can – she will be seen by millions of people.

“We will help to honour all that is great in Britain, particularly its aviation and engineering achievements, during the 60 years of Her Majesty’s reign.”

He added: “XH558 is not just the last flying Vulcan, she is the last flying example of the RAF’s famous V-Force. She is a dramatic example of all-British technical excellence.”

Organisers have said that although no plans for an official Jubilee fly-past over London have been announced, they are already making preparations to meet safety requirements should an aerial tribute be launched.

Dr Pleming also said his wish list of places he would like the bomber to fly to included Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.

The Vulcan will also celebrate its Diamond Jubilee next year, as it flew for the first time on August 30 1952.

The aircraft’s list of technical achievements included innovations like electrically-powered flying controls and one of the first applications of anti-lock brakes.

Its speed and agility was so close to a fighter’s, it was given a fighter-style control column in place of the traditional bomber pilot’s yoke, and its design was used as a basis for Concorde.

The Vulcan has a special relationship with the Royal Family as the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and Prince Michael of Kent have all piloted the plane.

During the Diamond Jubilee tour, the Vulcan will carry a leather-bound book of good wishes inscribed with the names of supporters and their words of support for the Queen.

Organisers have said that Buckingham Palace has approved their initiative and will accept the book at the end of the tour, while a second copy will go on display at the new Vulcan visitor centre in Doncaster.

In 2003 ,the Trust bought the bomber, which was built in 1960 and withdrawn from service in 1984, and has spent £7 million over fours years on restoring it.

Former RAF pilot Martin Withers who flew the delta-winged plane during the Falklands War dropping bombs on Port Stanley airfield, said: “The thing about the Vulcan is its size and its grace.

“It has a real beauty – you won’t see anything else like it. For some reason it just makes grown men cry.”