Vulcan XH558: The Last Flight

Final Flight of the Vulcan at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield. A stunning display!
If you'd like to see more of XH558, you can pre-order Vulcan XH558 - 'Farewell to Flight' DVD & Blu-ray here planestv.com/shop/dvd/vulcan-x...

[@ericverdon-roe9688]

I was born on the day the Vulcan first flew. So tomorrow will be the first day of my life with it capable of flying. I will feel a little older but I will remain immensely proud of XH558 which has undoubtedly become the country's favourite aeroplane. My grandfather A. V. Roe, founder of the Vulcan's maker Avro, would be equally proud and would want to thank the Vulcan to the Sky team for their magnificent efforts in keeping XH558 flying for the last 17 years. Many thanks, Eric Alliott Verdon-Roe

[@johnjordan144]

The end of another era. A tribute to what this country used to be....GREAT.

[@chriswelford8015]

That's the saddest I ever felt watching a plane land! I used to watch a Vulcan display as a kid with my dad, back in the 70s. He died in '78 and watching that final landing brought it all back. It's double grief.

[@Rafman925]

Excellent old dear, now rest in a hanger gathering dust as we who worked on you talk of the old days, the squadrons, the jet jockeys and the ground crew, those who kept you on top form 'Just in Case'. Thanks again for the protection you offered all of us. An old Armourer.

[@nigeh5326]

Stanley Carpenter Spurdo you buy the Vulcan, I will buy a Lightning F6 then we just need a Victor tanker and we can show the world British innovation and power 😀✌️🇬🇧 LOL

[@coldwarjet]

You know, for the past two days I've been in very real mourning. Since the last flight happened, it really is as if someone has died - a real sense of sadness and loss. I think it's because she represented something of beauty and power that you so rarely get, well perhaps not ever again like this. She also represented something great about the United Kingdom that is and has slipped away and may be hard to recapture. Both of those things are now gone, but not forgotten. At least we have beautiful footage to remember her by, great memories and perhaps just a little hope that something like this (anther Vulcan? Concorde?) will happen again. And a big thank you to TVOC for making 8 fantastic years possible.

[@juliehalliday8967]

not ashamed to say I cried all the way through this.Goodbye old girl you have done us proud x

[@stuartw312000]

Farewell Old Lady....You have done the country proud with every display you have done and brought alot of happy memories to alot of people me included.We shall all dream that one day you will fly again but for now enjoy your retirement and we shall see you again.

[@AngryVikingBiker]

Don't Cry Because It's Over... Smile Because It Happened... Damn that hit me hard because the Vulcan will always be my favourite plane of all time, and the fact she is grounded and will never fly again just breaks my damn heart! 😢💔

[@charlesbright9233]

Heart breaking. I saw her three times in the past year, thank you to all concerned for keeping her flying. Perhaps there should be some awards in the New Year's Honours List.

[@MrTuftynut]

What an incredibly emotional video and commentary, I guess that might be Dr. Robert Pleming himself narrating her final flight ? I was lucky enough to see her fly one last time in August at Shoreham Airshow, when she made a solemn pass over the runway, as a tribute to the Hawker Hunter tragedy earlier that day. A complete legend from a time when Britain still was really 'Great Britain' and a fitting tribute to a wonderful design by Avro.

[@planestv]

+Martin Davies Live commentary by Sean Maffett, Vulcan's long-time airshow commentator. Sadly, Dr Pleming missed the last flight. It had been planned for the day before and Dr Pleming had put back a major heart operation until the day after so as Vulcan was flying Dr Pleming was undergoing that surgery. VTTS has put out this statement. "We are delighted to report that Robert Pleming is now recovering, after undergoing major heart surgery yesterday at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. Following the diagnosis of a chronic condition in July, his cardiac surgeon agreed that the operation could be delayed until the end of October, allowing Robert to see out the remaining weeks of XH558’s flying life. Sadly for Robert, his admission to hospital was arranged for last Wednesday 28th, so he never got to see the final sortie of the aircraft he had done so much to return to flight. Robert has been told to plan for some three months away from work, after which he is looking forward to being involved with all of the new projects surrounding XH558 for her post-flying life. He has asked us to share his favourite cardiac joke with you all: A Jaguar mechanic was removing the cylinder head from the engine of an E-Type when he spotted a well-known cardiac surgeon in the garage. The cardiac surgeon was there waiting for the service manager to come and take a look at his car when the mechanic shouted across the garage, “Hey Doc, want to take a look at this?” The surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, “So Doc, look at this engine. I opened its heart, took the valves out, repaired or replaced anything damaged, and then put everything back in, and when I finished, it worked just like new. So how is it that I make £30,000 a year and you make £600,000, when you and I are doing basically the same work?” The cardiac surgeon paused, leaned over and whispered to the mechanic: “Try doing it with the engine running.”

[@Gruntol5]

+PlanesTV: Love that joke! Will have to quote it elsewhere. Great stuff all round. Best regards from one who saw it at Farnborough many years ago when it was still the AVRO 698. And to think AVRO initially wanted to call it the "Ontario" - shock horror. .

[@sylviabatcock5140]

Beautiful beautiful plane. We will never see her like again. So privileged that I was able to see her again at Bournemouth air show again this year. The videos made me cry at the thought that she will never fly again and my two small grand children will never have the wonderful experience of seeing her fly. Thank you for this wonderful plane.

[@LightningT55]

A wonderful final swansong for this remarkable old lady. To all the people that made her extended life possible my sincere thanks. The silver lining is that all those fantastic displays over the years are recorded forever.

[@bluelagoon43]

I just want to cry. What a beautiful machine. I have my name under the wing. Witnessed a low level fly-pasts during a games lesson at school in Rugby 1976. Awesome.

[@johneland8225]

I watched this with tears in my eyes, the end of an era but I guess we all knew it was coming in the end and like many others, wish it could have gone on, I can only thank the Vulcan to the sky team and the pilots for giving us eight years more of this iconic aircraft and wish them well with there new venture and it's like they said, don't cry that it's over, but smile that it happened, even if it's through the tears.

[@jacquimeads4695]

The greatest loss ever in the field of aviation !!! Her contribution immeasurable, her presence unforgettable our gratitude eternal. Thank you Martin for giving so many, many happy memories & bringing her home safely once again. Kind Regards Little Miss Vulcans Daughter & Family x

[@lynnoldfield3163]

Unfortunately missed this live feed due to the You Tube crash but caught up with it afterwards n couldn't stop crying. Grew up with the mighty Vulcan n have always loved her n luckily saw her fly 4 times this year n have My My NEVER seen a more magnificent aircraft in flight n there'll NEVER be the likes of her again. My heart is utterly broken but am only one amongst SO many who feel the same. Haven't cried this much in years! :(

[@thunderbolt513]

Impressive iconic bird. Powerful too. Long live the Vulcan.

[@Wobycom]

This is my one and only comment this year on youtube, but had to thank a wonderful old lady for her service to British air heritage. She will live long in my heart and I suspect for many others. A member of the unique V Force family with an awesome responsibly and related to those that took part in Operation Black Buck. See you soon in retirement.

[@dominicallkins9529]

Wonderful and brought a tear to my eye (OK - maybe more than one). At RAF Scampton school as a junior in the 70s I fell in love with the Vulcan and that has never dimmed. Such a shame that she can't be kept flying but "chapeau" to the team for getting back flying in the first place and allowing so many more people to see her beauty.

[@johnwiggin5417]

Farewell, o great bird of the sky. You are now grounded but will never be forgotten. What pleasure you have given to so many. Perhaps we could coax you into the sky just a few more times....

[@twittlypoo]

The first time I saw a Vulcan was in the 1970's.I was standing in my back garden and heard a noise and the Vulcan flew very low straight above me.It was breathtaking.She must have been going to an airshow but it was an unforgetable experience.I also saw one of VH5588's last flights at RIAT this year.Sad they are no longer flying.

[@razorlicks7929]

We saw the old girl 14 times this year at various shows and it never gets ordinary. Sean Maffett deserves so much respect for that commentary, he was crying all through the live broadcast but kept it together almost 'til the very end. They may have never dropped the big bomb in anger but one of her sisters was responsible for scaring the crap out of the Argentinian leadership and bringing forward the end of the Falklands war because they knew the next Vulcan that Maggie sent wouldn't be carrying anything conventional. Truly the best of British

[@alanmayes851]

So tragic we couldn’t keep this beast flying. I was fortunate to have served 30 years in the RAF, although I never worked on Vulcans itself I loved seeing them at different locations, they were awesome. When visiting museums it’s so inspiring seeing them…..brilliant aircraft.

[@Uktoolreviews]

The Vulcan was always the star of the show, such an amazing piece of kit (and of course British history!) She will be missed!

[@antonytheolddog8626]

A sad sad day. But glad I got to see her a few times this year. And shared it with my daughters..but my new born son. Will just have to grow up and hear of her legendary status..thanks to everyone involved with xray hotel 558...

[@MidnightWyvern]

Well, that was a bit of a tearjerker.

[@Br1ckbuster]

+MidnightWyvern Definitely.

[@1903chrisholden]

yep i understand that 1

[@timobb]

My fucking heart just got ripped out.

[@misterspitfire6564]

1 Saw her at Dawlish in Devon in August. The cloud had set in, but in the distant we saw this 'shape' come out of the clouds. She delighted us all with a brilliant display

[@sallyanne201]

Awesome... was lucky to catch sight of XH558 back in the 1980s when we were on holiday at a cottage above Bala in NWales... one minute we were sitting having a cuppa... and suddenly this big plane appeared from out of the valley below us... awsome... our younger son was terrified... but the elder son love it so much he went into RAF!

[@jacoblee3320]

RIP vulcan XH558 you did us proud and amazed us in airshows for years sad to see her go but oh well

[@fredd1eye59]

I love the vulvan I'm so sad to see her leave the skies. she so graceful

[@MrHistorian123]

@fredd1eye59 "I love the vulvan" That's a slightly unfortunate mistyping, I think.

[@JackerNo2]

Superb! Ok so the Vulcan may be grounded but will it ever be forgotten? Never in a million years. Thanks to everyone involved in keeping XH558 where she belonged.Those final farewell tours were a great idea, I was so pleased to see her fly by at Cosford. Some things are worth waiting for and that flypast albeit very brief, was one of those occasions. Once again, Thank you from myself and Vulcan (The cat) :)

[@ElizabethSylvesterGray]

What a beauty. Will we ever see her like again? I have seen her many times at the air shows and she never fails to bring tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. The commentary was really a fitting tribute to her last flight.

[@Rasgazza]

Finally a touch-and-go. What a shame this has been missing since the return to flight and when the number of people watching was strictly limited. Heyho. I know it's anarchic but I'm glad it's done and dusted. There's another Avro which, when it returns to flight ,will be up and about for much more than 7 years. Good luck to the Shackleton team in their quest.

[@gravydavy4188]

Some of my first memories are of Vulcans doing touch and go at RAF Scampton in the '60's, even though I didn't have cool in vocabulary, I knew that it was special.BTW I went to Finningley for an airshow and my twin brother and I cried when the Phantoms came over because the noise was different!

[@coldwarjet]

+Tony D They had to remove it from the displays as the landing gear (like everything) has a limited fatigue life. Nice to see it return one final time.

[@coldwarjet]

Taz1451 I think you've not read the context in which I was making the comment old chap. I was talking about the removal of the touch & go from the post RAF displays, which was because of the increase in fatigue on the landing gear (TVOC said this in a statement several years ago). They could have included touch & go's, but it would have meant a major overhaul of the landing gear earlier and with limited funds they opted not to include them.

[@grahammitchell6435]

Ive seen a lot of these wonderful aircraft over the years and it leaves a large lump in my throat to see its final flight,almost like saying your last goodbye to a good friend.

[@1903chrisholden]

thankyou Dr Robert pleming, kevin 'Taff' Stone and all the staff at the VTTS for making this happen and thankyou to PlanesTV for allowing us to see this majestic beauty airborne 1 last time

[@Grahamgusbull]

Thanks for the memories O God of fire! I recall an afternoon in the seventies,at RAF Valley,when four took off,two by two....and went straight up.....out Lightning the Lightning!

[@nannoden]

Thanks you so much for producing this edited version - six minutes to cherish forever xx

[@tylergibson4813]

I checked my phone at 14:15 to look at my twitter account, I then got to DSA as she was taxiing up to the hold. I was lucky. My father is in Oz, who without him my interest in Vulcan and consequently his time in the RAF (served in 9sqn and NEAF servicing, search Giant Voice 1974, he is in blue overalls) would be no way near as it is, a great shame he wasn't with me to share this very special moment. Personally I have never seen THAT much vape off anything flying, the second pass I cried, and again I was beyond grateful to see a touch and go by her! You can eing over all you like but to see that touch and go that so few haven't was fantastic. I'm not upset she is grounded, I'm happy that she flew again for my generation.

[@tumblefleas]

Tears cannot convey the sadness I felt watching this. She wanted to fly, she should fly forever. Goodbye mighty jet and thanks to all who flew her and brought her back to life, however briefly. (From one who watched her fly from Bruntingthorpe back in the 1970s). Grieving.

[@barrieward7]

I was lucky enough to see a Vulcan at an air display at British Aerospace in Hatfield , Hertfordshire probably 45 years ago. As the great bird flew overhead the bomb doors opened and made the hairs on my neck stand on end. Farewell XH558 we'll not see the likes of you flying again.

[@CliveWeedon]

What a superb last flight,great to see a proper touch and go after all these years and some full throttle climb outs make this a memorable end to the last eight years.Definitely deserved to be viewed by thousands but understand the reasons why this could not happen.

[@kenstanding4039]

Fantastic, superb ..... thanks all who got her into the skies and looked after her and gave such a lot to so many .... !

[@sianlord6821]

why?!? I loved it sooo much we are the lucky ones to have seen it the future generations will never see her in the sky again!! I am crying right now and that is an emotional video and especially the arches of water from the fire engines well done!!!

[@amdcustom1]

Fantastic, very emotional occasion but great memories from the last few years of Vulcan displays.

[@nigelbowles7232]

I was a JT/Cpl at RAF Scampton and Goose Bay in the late 60’s and I have fond memories of being part of Britain’s Cold War team. Sad to see XH558 grounded. I now live in Alberta, Canada and my licence plate is V4S (sounds like V-Force!). It’s a great conversation starter!

[@MrTuftynut]

All the very best wishes for a speedy recovery to Dr. Robert Pleming, Chairman of Vulcan TO The Sky Trust following his heart operation ! He did a fantastic job leading the team.

[@samwhite922]

You can't replace a plane like this. Next years air shows will not be the same. Thanks to all her team for bringing such joy. And I smiled when she went round again but now I am really sad 😢 and will miss her terribly.

[@nekro6897]

I feel so sorry for the caster. He sounds fairly old so he probably grew up with this plane and seeing this last flight brought him to tears.

[@Cartoonman154]

Artwork as well as the destroyer of worlds.

[@kenstanding4039]

Yes, majestic kinetic art

[@alivewithpassion]

The moment along with that great announcer, Gets me everytime!😪😢

[@malcolm824]

This is beautiful

[@tectorama]

In common with a lot of the posters here, I get very emotional watching this. Thank you to all at VTTS, for the great enjoyment you have given to millions of people over the last eight years.

[@theoriginalmrc]

Thank You for putting up and edit including the touch and go, something that wasn't seen very often. Fantastic.

[@5iveoceanshells]

Saw the Vulcan 3 times this year, twice at Manchester Airport, and once on my way back from my first solo skydive. As if my day couldn't get any better, XH558 flew low over the motorway right in front of us. Very special day, won't forget it!

[@Y666SAT]

So glad to have been a part of her final year.

[@johnreed3638]

Brilliant. Never will there be another classic British Bomber like the Vulcan in our skies again. Such a shame. Hopefully her ancestral Lancaster will carry the flag?

[@tessypc]

I was there and watched the final flight a year ago today. It was hugely emotional then and almost as emotional now, watching this and my own personal recording of it. Still can't really believe that I will never see this beautiful lady in the sky again. So so sad.

[@rheababe1000]

im so upset...i can't believe we'll never see her fly again......the last time i was up close to her and seeing her in awe in the sky was at Farnbouragh air show in 2014, I wish so much we will see her fly again - if i ever won the lotto, I will damn well make sure we will xx

[@simonproctor8464]

SIMON PROCTOR A Fantastic journey and well done to everbody who made the dream happen ,the commentator sums it all up and his voice emotinnally shows us all that this is no ordinary jet a truly Goddess of the sky !!!!

[@ashtonmark24]

Very nicely put together video for those of us who couldn't be there for the final time. Thank you! Hope to go and see her again once the hangar preservation is sorted...

[@681728]

Brilliant! Many thanks. I was on BCDU 64/65, Hangar 1. Witnessed a Vulcan wheels-up landing one dark night. Impressive display of sparks, but we had to put it back on its wheels following day! Repaired in Hangar 2 and returned to flying.

[@HFamilyDad]

Thank you, I didn't think I'd cry but I did!

[@wakers243]

it was soooooo sad to hear sean maffett breaking up at the end!!! :'-( so sad she is no longer soaring like she should, can and forever will be remembered doing!!

[@AboveImages]

A marvellous final display, very well filmed and commentated. In a way, the misty conditions added to the atmosphere. I have watched Vulcans fly many times over many years from when I lived near Woodford in the 60s to your recent southern flight where we watched her fly by, just two of us standing in a field in a remote location. As she flew past precisely on track we had a perfect view. As a passionate aviator, I must admit that the final flight brought a tear to each eye. Best wishes to all of you, and especially to Robert. We hope he will be back to full fitness very soon !

[@philarnold6769]

First saw her at Duxford in late 70's whilst working there. Most amazing plane to watch and the sound is unbelievable !

[@andypandywalters]

Lovely, and what an emotional commentary, reflecting what so many people feel !

[@sueo5439]

Brings a tear to the eye. Beautiful plane with an impressive history. well done to the Trust for getting her back into the skies and keeping her there as long as possible. We will miss her.

[@loudaubney1320]

beautiful, thank you. Huge Thanks to John Robinson at The Sentry Post in waddington for sharing the link with us xxxx

[@1chish]

At 3:59 Martin showed how to do a perfect 'Touch & Go'. Or rather in this case 'Kiss & Lift' of those wheels ... Its a sad fact that aircraft DO have a finite life especially big ships like this old warbird. It was built for one purpose only: To deliver Armageddon and so deter others. XH558 and here sisters did that job superbly well and to see a weapon of destruction give so much pleasure to so many people for so long is wonderfully ironic. Well done 'Vulcan to the skies' you did her and us proud....

[@billramsey2564]

+1chish Touch and go was me I'm afraid. Thanks for the kind words!

[@1chish]

Bill Ramsey Oh well many apologies and congratulations. I thought Martin Withers was skipper. I hope he was on board for that last 'sortie'. So sad to see the old girl have her wings clipped but 'all things must pass'. Thanks to you all we have at least enjoyed many more years of this fabulous aircraft. So many personal memories...

[@lescphotos]

Fantastic stuff! Sure I wasn't the only one with a tear in my eye at the end. Seen her many times over the years; 1st at North Weald where all the car alarms would go off & it scared the crap out of the local cows! DVD ordered...

[@darylbuck487]

Great edit of her last flying moments, capturing her majesty, power and the emotions of the final moments. Well done - thanks to all for making the return to flight possible over the last few years and allowing me to appreciate why the Vulcan forms such a special part of my father's RAF career in the 60's at (mainly) Waddingdon. (I think smiles and tears are both appropriate, no matter what Dr Seuss said)

[@welshwisdom]

Still brings a tear to my eyes

[@Radio478]

What a graceful plane

[@peterwilson641]

I was in the Photographic Section at RAF Finningley in 1957 when 101 Squadron was the second to take delivery of B1 Vulcans. Only national service, but loved my 2 years in the RAF. Having been there at the start and now the very last flight, I am finally starting to feel my age. Goodbye beautiful lady from Pete Wilson and Big Geordie Baird

[@lynmcgrath14]

Well now you lucky person to see her for the last time. I'm an Aussie and I did see her twice at Laverton, Victoria, Australia.

[@kevinmcneill2187]

I worked on them many times in my RAF career. There will never be a plane to equal it and I'm devestated to think I'll never see it fly again

[@andrewdrabble5503]

I'm in tears but at least I had the privilege and memories of seeing her fly

[@Togwag]

What a beautiful thing the Vulcan is and this is a superb video of it, thanks for sharing. I was lucky enough to see it at Mildenhall one year, well, feel the ground shake and see it! Brought back some good memories this did. Thank you.

[@pearlblues3665]

I nearly cried. Great last flight, and a tribute to the dedication of the whole XH558 team that the project got off the ground in the first place :)

[@clivehanley2558]

WOW. That's better! Thanks

[@wonga47]

This is a shame that this had to happen. The Vulcan had played a vital part in my life and I saw her whenever I could. Hopefully there will be a group to bring her back one day and there are rumours that in the not to distant future Concorde could make an airshow appearance . I look forward to this new part of airshow history starting.

[@erichaddow788]

Great video guys it's sad to see her go an end of another era

[@Gamekeeper1961]

Wonderful, thanks

[@FelixIsMyName]

I wish there was a way to make another Vulcan airworthy. I was so glad I got to see her fly over my house in Oxford, when she visited Abingdon airfield.

[@flossie5432]

+Dan Allnatt Me too.She was an incredible aircraft. I was standing in my grandfathers fields sometime in the early 60's and she flew over my head,taking off from RAF Valley in Anglesey. I could see every rivet,she was so low-and the vibration came up from the soles of my feet to my scalp.I was awestruck for minutes.

[@tenkloosterherman]

Loved the video.

[@soyounoat2814]

Great camera work in this video! Born and raised in US, and I got a bit fogged up watching this beautiful aircraft perform on a desktop monitor. I wish I had seen just one of them fly.

[@1903chrisholden]

a beautiful aircraft sadly grounded thankyou everyone who made her flights possible

[@Radio478]

Great to see the compression on the wings

[@obaby57]

just amazing that is all

[@clachanyill]

Luv the look of this aircraft

[@EngTech84]

Carried out Major Services on them in the early 70's, only aircraft I knew that could empty the beer tent at Fafnborough. Now that is pulling power

[@GWLAD]

thank you xh558 truly british the like of which we shall never see again

[@RailView_YT]

A very sad day indeed I saw her flying in the distends i also saw her at the RIAT flying with the red arrows looked awesome But very emotional at the same time

[@evilelf5967]

a fantastic beast.airborne or static.many thanks for the upload.

[@robharding1957]

What an icon of the skies, a cold war king , hope they put the classic delta wing in a Aircraft Museum, so future generations can admire the unique shape and splendour.

[@jannelaakso8316]

+robert harding She will be kept in running condition for high-speed taxi runs.

[@robharding1957]

+Janne Laakso with what payload ? I would suspect some rather large ordinance.

[@petersmith981]

Well done guys and a great twist doing those touch and goes. A sad end to a fantastic career and an amazing endeavour by everyone associated with the Trust

[@tectorama]

More than a few tears were shed at the end of her final flight. The last British Bomber to be built for the RAF. We'll never have another British military aircraft to do it's potential job. So sad.

[@davidclark7988]

what a superb piece of equipment. proud to be British !!!

[@Schenkerflyingv]

When Great Britain used to manufacture everything from scratch - Just goes to show what we could achieve when we put our minds to it.The saddest day since Concorde was grounded.