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Vulcan XL388 Restoration

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JetMan
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Joined: Fri Jun 09, 2017 4:54 pm

Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by JetMan » Fri Jun 09, 2017 9:03 pm

In March, A cosmetic restoration project has been started on the cockpit section of AVRO Vulcan B.2 XL388 at the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum. It is being run by SYAM, with the volunteers from the Vulcan Experience providing the manpower for the project.
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Please watch this short video showing the progress that was made between march and May --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UAYtzKI-CA

Since the video was produced, we have been busy working at the museum to get XL388 back into top condition. Work has included:
* The final skin repair - this is almost complete, all that is left to do is rivet it to the structure. Once this is done, the skin repairs will be completed.
* We have started to address the radome, the split in the fibreglass being one of our areas of concern. We have started to strip the paint from the radome and have found that its condition is not as bad as once feared. We now think that this will be fairly easy to fix and once painted, you won't be able to tell that it was damaged!
* We have almost completed the preparation work required before we start painting with just a few more areas to run down, and a small bit of corrosion treatment to do before we start painting. We hope to start painting within the next 3-4 weeks and are aiming to have it completed by the end of the summer.
* The new stand will be started soon, and once 388 has been lifted onto it, we will be able to start work on replacing the bomb aimers blister. We have a new blister and are now thinking of the best way to swap the two over.
* Whilst our focus for now is the exterior, we have been able to source a few instruments and dials to go inside the cockpit when we start to rebuild it. We are still on the lookout for the vast majority of equipment, instruments and controls to go inside the cockpit and sources, information, leads and donations will be hugely appreciated!

We are aiming to get the external part of the project completed by the end of the year, all updates will be posted on the twitter feed at: http://www.twitter.com/VulcanXL388

We appreciate any and all feedback that you have to offer.

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paddyboy
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Location: Somewhere in Norfolk

Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by paddyboy » Sat Jun 10, 2017 3:27 pm

Hi Peeps :P

Well done you :thumbs:

Every Vulcan remnant should be treated just as well, IMHO ;)

Best of luck with the rest of your resto :thumb:

Paddyboy :clap:
XH558, always the first lady in my life
Just remember, please don't tell the wife


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JetMan
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by JetMan » Sat Jun 10, 2017 7:49 pm

Thanks Paddyboy, we're determined to make it look better than brand new!!

JetMan
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by JetMan » Mon Jun 19, 2017 6:25 pm

The first major milestone was hit in 388's restoration. The team have successfully completed all of the skin repairs needed and this marks the first time in over 30 years that 388 hasn't had any holes in her skin! The full photo album of this work can be found at the link below

https://www.facebook.com/pg/VulcanXL388 ... 3617554903

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paddyboy
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by paddyboy » Tue Jun 27, 2017 3:43 pm

Great work and progress, people :thumbs:

Well done you :thumb:

Best regards ;)

Paddyboy :clap:
XH558, always the first lady in my life
Just remember, please don't tell the wife


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grumpy616
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by grumpy616 » Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:41 am

Looking good guys.
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tg13
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Location: Gainsborough

Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by tg13 » Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:18 pm

It won't look better than brand new now will it or have you got wings and engines for it now along with the thousands of other parts required to make it look like BRAND NEW :P

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The Phantom
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by The Phantom » Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:22 am

Well done on all your great work :thumbs:

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reheat module
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by reheat module » Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:11 am

Must say, I'm hugely impressed with the radical change in condition from when I first saw her there some time back.
Congrats to you all in the restoration, in taking such huge steps forward.
She certainly is looking well worth another visit!
UK ONS CPI Rate checker for Sept every year... :whistle:

JetMan
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by JetMan » Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:33 pm

Been a bit quiet on here, but we are still ploughing on with Xl388’s restoration.

Work done includes:
• The completion of the radome repairs, both internal and external. It was discovered that the radome wasn’t actually secured to the cockpit (!!this was quickly rectified and we have strengthened the internal damage with additional fibreglass strengtheners. The large delaminates section on the outside has been repaired and all of the cracks, dents and missing chunks have been filled and sealed with fibreglass.
•The (almost) completion of the blister swap. The old, crushed blister has been fully removed and the replacement has been prepared, installed and we are finalising the installation of the last few ancillary components into the blister.
•Rear crew compartment. With the weather turning colder, we have started to install components into the rear cockpit. So far, this includes: H2S radar scope, R88 camera, CU626, wind indicator, 6th seat and many more.

When the warmer weather returns, we will be looking to start the external repaint of the cockpit.

If you wish to support our work, you can by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Vulcan-XL388

Keep up to date with the project on our social media feeds: www.facebook.com/vulcanxl388 and www.twitter.com/vulcanxl388

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paddyboy
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by paddyboy » Thu Dec 28, 2017 4:33 pm

More power to your elbows :thumbs:

Best regards ;)

Paddyboy :clap:
XH558, always the first lady in my life
Just remember, please don't tell the wife


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grumpy616
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Re: Vulcan XL388 Restoration

Post by grumpy616 » Fri Dec 29, 2017 12:55 pm

Keep up the great work guys.
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