Avro Vulcan XH558 June 22nd 1991 Spectacular Take Off at Woodford Air Show(c)R.Griffith

Spectacular take off by Avro Vulcan XH558 at Woodford Air Show 22nd June 1991. I filmed this with a Sony 8mm camcorder.

[@Taildragger2411]

I never cease to be amazed by the mighty Vulcan ,I remember it as a kid in the 50s displaying with the Victor and Valiant ,The amount of power those four engines push out to make it go vertical straight after rotation is amazing.

[@evbunke2]

Oh how I love this plane... Plus any aircraft that can be that big and pull that kind of climb deserves respect.

[@TomCatSuperD]

Saw your magnificent Vulcan fly here in the USA at the Dayton Intenational Air Show in the 1970's. Earth shaking and awesome in all respects.

[@TralfazConstruction]

TAstronomy: Never saw the Vulcan fly, rather it was on static display at McGuire AFB in New Jersey in the early '60s. My father, bless his memory, was an aviation enthusiast who reveled in taking his sons to airshows. On that basis I knew that name, "Vulcan", before James Bond in Thunderball (1965) and before Mr. Spock on Star Trek in '66. This aircraft made an impression on me and it's a sentimental favorite on account of my father.

[@markborder906]

TralfazConstruction @TralfazConstruction Back in the late 50s, early sixties my father used to take me to the Biggin Hill (famous B of B airfield) airshows. They used to do a 4 ship rapid scramble of the Vulcans. Two would disappear over the hump as the next two were half way along the runway, then the first two would appear doing a rapid, almost vertical climb on re-heat - two white deltas climbing on pillars of flame! You could put your hand on the ground and feel it vibrate, as did the pit of your stomach! Unforgettable.

[@TheSeventhSeal]

@@markborder906 Vulcan doesn't have reheat - you'll get smoke but not flames at the back.

[@markborder906]

@@TheSeventhSeal I re-checked this, you are correct, these early Vulcans did not have re-heat, although that’s what my father told me at the time. However there were flames coming from the engine area so possibly that was some extra pyrotechnics fitted just for the display.

[@fredtedstedman]

@@TheSeventhSeal just imagine if it did though..........................

[@TomCatSuperD]

Have seen this spectacular aircraft fly at Dayton Air Show, USA. Simply phenomenal.

[@poloboo911]

my dad was the captain of XH558 and two other XH avro's until 1995 and did displays in it too but unfortunately i was too young to ever go and see him fly... thanks for uploading this though so i could see my old man doing what he did best!

[@franklinrwful]

The Vulcan howl, one of the best sounds ever.

[@RemoteViewr1]

All that wing, all that power, climbing like a homesick angel. So beautiful.

[@Mikehawk1417]

This is true British engineering right there. I wouldnt mind giving away something just to see this legend back in service.

[@vancaramicky]

I was born in Poynton, 1/4 mile away from here and used to sit on the fence at Woodford watch these babies take off in the 60's!. Most of the houses on our estate had cracks in the walls 'cos of them and the vibration they used to create. Took me back to my roots and childhood, thanks for the video : )

[@Rhubba]

13 dislikes....must be Argentinians

[@jacobsgranddaughter]

❤️❤️⭐️

[@Crosbie85]

I would ask for you to explain the joke lol but your channel is probably no longer active

[@davidadams4775]

@@Crosbie85 it relates to the Falklands conflict and operation black buck

[@Crosbie85]

@@davidadams4775 🤝

[@NoPooftersHereUK1234]

Are you fookin clueless or what....Falklands War 1982... Hellooooo !!

[@geggy5151]

That plane has got to rank, alongside the Spitfire and Mosquito, as one of the best looking ever made.

[@scopex2749]

THE VULCAN HOWL! superb I remember sitting at the end of the runway at Waddington when in the RAF waiting to cross the runway when they got a scramble so imagine this TIMES 4 AIRCRAFT and 16 Olympus engines!! NEVER forget that day

[@glennashton7093]

the loudest thing I have ever heard not only does the vulcan so awesome howl you feel the shock waves through your whole body will miss the grand old lady but we should all be thankful that she was never used for the task she and the victory and valiant were designed for

[@None-zc5vg]

I was at the R.A.F. two-day 50th-anniversary display at Abingdon aerodrome in 1968 and watched a Lightning fighter climb almost vertically out of sight: the noise must have rivalled the Vulcan's output.

[@trespire]

@Glenn Ashton The V Force were a highly capable and potent deterent. In my oppinion, a nation with the political will and means to retaliate is the best guarantee for peace.

[@fredtedstedman]

I can remember the noise and shockwaves at Farnborough , when I was 12 . Wow , nothing like it !

[@mozzbromozzbro4063]

I was at Woodford that day . When she displayed all the car alarms around the airfield started to go off. I don't know if it was vibration,noise, or pressure. The commentator told us all it would happen and had a good laugh. I was also there when the Spitfire crashed in 92 very very sad day.

[@sirAlexanderthegrape]

This is how i remember the Vulcan when i went to airshows as a kid. Balls out full power climb. >

[@user-ul2tt4dn9k]

That howl is just phenomenal. And the fact that an aircraft of this size can pretty much go straight up from take-off shows, just what a magnificent piece of British engineering yhe vulcan really is. Totally awesome!

[@leffehoegaarden]

Sometimes you see things that you couldn't have imagined seeing. That was one.

[@seanwhite8539]

I just adore the sight and the sound of the Vulcan I was fortunate enough to see it on many occasions. So a team of enthusiastic men and woman went about and restored the Vulcan, only for a few years later for it to be put in a museum. Why can’t we have it flying again ? It played major roles around the world in its service. Let’s face it we still see the Battle of Britain memorial flight at the majority of air shows, and yes they played their part in WW2 surely we can have the Vulcan flying again 👍

[@barriehunt8179]

I am very fortunate to have many many wonderful memories of this aircraft. I have seen more than most the effect it has on people, and its that that I can share one of the funnier moments. Back in the 80s/90s each year there was quite a group would go to Woodford air show out of my local at the time. One of the blokes in there was a scouser and very keen to take the piss. Each year he would give us loads of abuse about being anoraks and plane spotters and so on. It must have been about 1988/89 we had had quite enough and dragged him along, having assured him that there was plenty of beer drinking at these events. It was about 11.30 and par for course Woodford was getting frequent monsoons through the morning. As the storm passed the sun broke through and the sky was brilliant blue, the runway soaked and looking like pure gold with the sun light. At this point the familiar sound of the Vulcan starting up over by the flight sheds reached my ears and the speaker announced the aircraft was about to depart to attend another display before returning to Woodford later. With this I dragged a very reluctant moaning scouser several hundred yards through the very wet grass and mud to the front. As he saw the Vulcan taxying out to the runway he continued to moan about how we could be in the local rather than getting piss wet through watching planes. The moaning stopped abruptly when the Vulcan reached the end of the runway lined up and opened the throttles and emitting a particulaly good howl before commencing her take off run. It was much like the one on this video on the same runway, but a very wet runway, the spray was immense as was the noise and she unstuck right levelwhere we stood. As the Vulcan roared into the distance I noticed my mate had been quiet, after about a minute of silence he tried to compose himself and said "fucking hell that made all the hair i havent got on my head stand up." (he was bald). After that he would start asking when the next airshow was around about November and wouldnt miss it for the world....after all what could be better than Vulcans, Tornadoes, etc with a beer in his hand.....even in a field when its pissing down.

[@fredtedstedman]

good times eh? we were lucky to have this experience ! Wales UK.

[@oldclassiccarUK]

great memories!

[@mrmactknife]

I live near the late RAF West Malling, and I was fortunate enough to see a Vulcan fly on a number of occasions back in the 80's from my own back garden :), what a wonderful aircraft.

[@johnsmith-cr6jt]

Holy shit what a machine! The howl of those engines on runway is incredible....a beautiful but haunting sound.

[@danhollatz5944]

To experience it in flight, made bystanders drop there beverages, kid's would cry, and felt this BEAST-Threw your soul! What awesome air craft!

[@johnhanson5943]

The Vulcan was the most impressive display I ever saw live. Late 1970s / early 1980’s at Teesside Airport. Literally took my breath away.

[@85RAG]

Now that is how I remember it, prior to airframe preservation and engine restrictions. Stunning. proper Vulcaneering!

[@sgh1963]

Another British gem. It flew over where I live as a tribute to someone who I think worked on it, as it was her funeral. It was just beautiful to see and hear. Magnificent aircraft.

[@TralfazConstruction]

Well, that's something you don't see every day; just magnificent.

[@johnsmith-cr6jt]

the more i watch this the more amazed i am by it. Play this at high volume with headphones on! This is the best coverage of a Vulcan ever. Gives me goosebumps. How utterly stupendous is that?

[@trespire]

Insane rotation. Absolutly insane.

[@melodymonger]

The first time I saw a Vulcan flying was at an air show somewhere south of York, UK. I can't remember the exact location but I'd cycled about 15 miles through the idyllic Yorkshire countryside to watch air show. I had no idea a Vulcan was going to fly but boy did it leave an indelible impression on me. The noise 😲, the delta wing, the size and manouevrability of the thing. Absolutely amazing. Can't believe they're really not going to fly again 🙁. I feel like I'm so lucky to have seen it.

[@kieranfinnerty631]

Was it at Church Fenton 🤔

[@melodymonger]

@@kieranfinnerty631 Ah 😃, maybe it was! It's funny, I tried tracking the location down on Google maps just about a week ago, so thanks for the suggestion 🙂

[@copferthat]

My uncle worked at Woodford for over 30 years and on family days we used to get to crawl all over this beast, which still remains the noisiest aircraft ever built. This truly remarkable piece of engineering had no defence, as it could actually out manoeuvre fighter aircraft. WOW

[@DJ279V]

Nearly impossible to dislike the sound of them engines and that steep takeoff ability!!

[@robertp.wainman4094]

To fly a Vulcan at an air display - wow!

[@daviddarrall9384]

Nothing but spectacular!

[@hughcdavies]

I was lucky enough to see XH558 on her last visit to South Wales. I was on the local beach and she roared overhead on route to the Swansea air show, having done a fly past over RAF St Athan. Made me proud to be British.

[@Twosharppencils]

That was an amazing take off. One of the best I've seen, especially from 1991. She's a beauty

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

I got a really good look at one of these at the castle air museum in Atwater,CA. I'd have loved to go up inside it and have a look around though but it's off limits! An incredible aircraft up close,and that takeoff,wow!

[@DavidEarnshaw-sn5yt]

I was there,fantastic.

[@andrewhinds6560]

God I wished I'd have seen those displays like that, that was short but sweeeeeet!!

[@sheikhyaboooty]

I was a pre teenage boy living at both RAF Waddington and Finingley in the late 1960`s and got to see those most days doing circuits and bumps but best of all was a full squadron scramble once a month, 16 vulcans nose to tail on the runway...made our little house in married quarters shake....my lil sis hated it, as did my mum but brother and me loved it.

[@dorjon5334]

THAT is a truly spectacular take-off. Seen this fantastic Vulcan fly displays many times but the three ‘special’ days at Doncaster (ex-RAF Finningley) with positions right up close to her being readied and then taxying and, on the final time, right next to the runway for both take off and landing and the extra overhead display for the Airport owner and the manager and their families with us, will stick in my memory forever. I suppose if this was America and not the UK with it’s CAA regs. Then this beauty would still be flying!

[@bushranger51]

I remember seeing three of these babies fly really low over my school when I was a kid, (some Fifty plus years ago) on their way from Avalon (think maybe it was Laverton) in Victoria to Woomera in South Australia, and they scared the shit out of me then. Imagine what they could do today if given the chance.

[@davidthompson6638]

Thank you for sharing your footage, I have enjoyed watching it again and again, I was stationed at Scampton 73 - 77 just loved the Vulcan, remember night shifts in the summer evenings sitting out side of our hanger watching the Vulcan practising for displays also when away on exercise at our dispersal station,the end of exercise 4 Vulcan flyaway, some things you cant forget however at the time I/we just took it all in our strides and it was the norm to see such things! , great days

[@gravydavy4188]

I lived at Scampton from birth until my 5th birthday in 1972, so I was familiar with the Vulcan, went to an air show and my twin brother and I screamed at the Phantoms because we didn't like the noise, Dad and Uncle Ian (unclean 😉 ) had to put their hands over our lugs. 😂

[@Stratboy999]

Absolutely majestic.

[@kirkconway]

Ive never seen that done with any US planes except for an FA/18. a Hustler or B-1 would never do that. that was incredible.

[@sthill1993]

@ValiantXD818 It is, XH558 was the RAF Vulcan display aircraft from 1984 (When the Vulcans retired from active service) until 1993/1994 when budget cuts forced it to be grounded. The Chartity that runs it today bought it in 1997.

[@DavidEarnshaw-sn5yt]

I always loved Woodford.

[@shackletainment]

damn, that was worth the wait

[@Northstander]

That was indeed most spectacular, did exactly what it said on the tin...and more!

[@johnbenton4488]

Back in 1970 I was at RAF St Athan on an Aircraft Engine Fitter's course. Vulcans had 'majors' on the other side of camp, and we were positioned at the end of the runway. The post-major test flights were a thing to behold.

[@pob1335]

I was here stood on the top deck of the open top bus which use to drive over to the operations side of the air field for a tour best seat in the house to watch that take off loved it.

[@johug69]

ok... I was there...flew up on the Catalina.. the year before I started working at wfd.. I've photos of this flight somewhere taken from the hardstanding past where XM603 used to be parked.. always remembered it as dramatic - and here it is in full stereo--- oh how I miss that howl!

[@karlcolt]

That was BEAUTIFUL!! I used to watch these aircraft in the 60s, they used to take off in a staggered 3 abreast and BOY!! the sound!!!! At the time, along the road that run parallel to the runway, there were signposts. NO STOPPING! along with a caution of ARREST!! My dad used to slow down the lorry he drove to almost a standstill so i could watch them. Its the sight and sound i will never ever forget. If there is any one whos relations that worked at RUSTON BUSIRUS in 60s 70s get in touch.

[@SIDisTHE]

i was able to see one of these at castle air museum this year. what an amazing machine.

[@vexviper]

It's not the aircraft it's the pilot who make the aircraft perform!

[@johnsmith-cr6jt]

This bomber is the size of a 737! And climbs like a fighter!

[@johnsmyth6283]

Can you imagine a fully loaded passenger 737 taking off like that, the reupholstery or cleaning bills would be horrendous

[@thenerdyouknowabout]

That spool up though... Incredible.

[@Shazzamnwithoutus]

that... was the most beautiful thing my young eyes have ever seen :')

[@TR6Telos]

In 76 I stood outside at the end of the runway and watched a Vulcan do 4 touch and goes for a cameraman stationed half way down the runway

[@Shannmeister]

I saw one at Woodford in the mid 70s. What a plane, a combination of grace,agility and presence due to that delta wing.

[@Radio478]

The best ,great loss shes gone, once heard never forgotten

[@14091949]

I remember it like it was yesterday - If anyone knows a more awe inspiring sound than that, I've never heard it. It used to shake the chimneys all round Poynton back in the 60's - Broke a few as well..

[@Blackmamba12345]

Beautiful, amazing climb off take off!!

[@user-mh5vq6jb4w]

That was just awesome! Saw her for the first time last weekend at Hastings, fabulous

[@Vanguard1028]

Such a beautiful & impressive plane

[@national1075]

what a take off,,,,shame they're not like that nowadays :)

[@dazyboy1973]

How many modern aircraft of that size do you know that wouldn't stall performing a take off manoeuvre like that beautiful Vulcan just did with ease. I really miss seeing them fly.

[@LordGeorgeRodney]

I think there is nothing else to put other than...... PURE HELLFIRE!!!!!!!!!

[@FrowningIke]

Holy shit! I was not expecting that! Incredible!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Wow! Incredible short field (demonstration) takeoff!

[@JohnnyNorfolk]

You must be very proud of that film. Thanks for posting it was just great.

[@ironzentaur]

Thanks for sharing! What a beautiful Plane!!! I was breathless.Thanks again and greetings from Germany!!! You can really be proud to be British.

[@littlenige]

Brings tears to my eyes. I wonder how many kids are never gonna see it fly? It's totally inspirational. I fear the day it is consigned to the museums. I was lucky - I saw this fly, and Concorde. The loss of concorde just brings home how lucky I feel to have seen such a stunning piece of design and engineering. Noise you can feeeel.................................anyone who is not interested in keeping this flying is not British in my opinion.

[@andrewca72]

What can you say...Beautiful sight and sound!

[@annemariestevenson2230]

This shot is amazing.

[@schlusselmensch]

Buggers used to come to airshows in Canada, they'd make the proper radio calls but you'd never see them until they popped up to anounce their arrival. They'd probably done all the flight over land at less than a hundred feet.

[@henryvagincourt]

Great video, I went to the Woodford air show as a boy, thanks for sharing and making me think back.

[@roerbakei1]

no.. they have a amazing job to do.. bring big man to tears

[@Andy-kf4rd]

A time when they could use full power all the time.stunning

[@davidellis279]

I think I was actually there watching the great display that plane performed,it was staggering to see it’s climb rate, it practically stood on its tail and went up nearly vertically,the noise and sheer power of those engines was incredible,if I remember correctly someone died that day after hitting the runway in some sort of gyrocopter,a really sad end to a great day out.

[@1tothirtysix]

You’re probably thinking of the Spitfire crash at the show on 27 June 1992. Thankfully I did not go to the show that year. Regards Rol.

[@ranhat2]

Good clear shots. Air museum at Merced, Calif., has one in front area and opens it now and then. Too bad they can't crank up the engines--fantastically screamers back when they were flying.

[@24934637]

Fantastic! I'm so pleased that one of these beasts is flying again!

[@Rushynet]

Like a homesick angel!

[@holing007]

Its totally worth it, its one of the greatest British designs ever to grace the sky's, a reminder of what Britain was capable of designing and building in the peak of the cold war, its a shame that more British cold war aircraft were not saved and remain flight worthy !!

[@Koaslice191]

Gotta love that MOAAANNNNNN when the lucky pilot gooses the throttles!

[@MrBAHNBAHN]

the most beautiful plane!

[@leofsig1]

fabulous video.... I was there and only 20 yrs old, she made a big impression on me that day..... I will have to dig out my Hi8 video of that day and upload it.........

[@jasonfernee2401]

Goosebumps.

[@Owdfolkie]

I was there! We used to do the PA system for the air shows... we were based in the white van in the Control Tower compound.

[@basvossen7545]

incredible, what a lift.

[@alimac81]

Awesome! shame they stopped doing the woodford airshow, was right on my door step!

[@hrnciarska]

Brings back great memories, thanks for uploading!

[@Jameskiy]

Superb Video & the Noise and the Grace .... Who could ever forget seeing/hearing a full Squadron scarmble in Cold War days ! Such skills those guys ! @ 5'11" I had great trouble squeezing into the 5-man cockpit area ... Amazing times :-))))))) !

[@billcarr6392]

just timed that against a b1 take off and the vulcan was 20 seconds faster lol

[@reconteamohio]

Thanks, that makes since also. At least I got to see one fly here in Dayton, Ohio. Thanks again.

[@rmcinuk]

Saw/heard, very similar at West Malling around the same time. Dirty fly past with 60 deg bank as well. British engineering at it's superb best. Great video thank you.

[@martinbayliss3868]

Woodford, some stuffed shirt decided getting out of civil aircraft manufacturing in the UK made short term sense. Now it’s a housing estate with more people in the area doing precisely what I don’t know. Progress? Avro Vulcan, if it has been a US aircraft it would have been upgraded with new ones built in the 1970’s and still in service today. But it was British and had to be scrapped along with anything else of value post EU membership. Will we return? Who knows?

[@andym519871]

Takes off straight into a vertical climb fucking fantastic

[@EligosPoltergiest]

Beautiful sound and design.

[@EternallyDisappointed]

What I'd give for HD video from the 1950s upwards.

[@davespragg4570]

This is when the UK made incredible aircraft. The best and inative designs of the day. We made the best and our governments gave most of the expertise away. When you see close hand a Vulcan take off you realy do feel the power. There is nothing else like it other than an EE Lightning. Then the uk started buying foraign makes when we were capable of making our own . TSR2 comes to mind it was almost there. Concorde although in colaberation with the french was the only SST to see regular passenger travel, the TU 144 Soviet copy did only for a very short time.