XH558's Final Flight (inc: onboard footage) 28th October 2015

Join the crew on XH558's final flight
For more information on XH558 please visit vulcantothesky.org
To Donate please go to vulcantothesky.org/donate
Official Facebook Page: / vulcantotheskytrust
Official Twitter Page: x.com/vulcanto...

[@stellanewman4514]

Brings a tear to the eye. Thank you to everyone who made her flights possible.

[@steveraynor2946]

I was there for the last three of her take off's and landings, absolutely stunning ! The best of British, The mighty Vulcan and Sir Edward Elgar.

[@alanmayes8310]

This is the RAF I joined and proudly served for 30 years, never got the opportunity to work on the Vulcans but was inspired by them and loved to see them fly..... Awesome aircraft.

[@Willysmb44]

I can only imagine the crushing sense of loss these gentlemen felt as they rolled to a stop and shut down the engines for the last time

[@matthewbowles654]

I miss this old girl, I worked on xl426 always in my heart. My dad was based at waddington working in these, counter measures system and radar. Love you xh 558....

[@tectorama]

I hope to See XL426 do a fast taxi run this Saturday at Southend. 11th Sept 21

[@suzanneheaton5563]

These Ladies were my life. My Dad started working with them at Scampton. 617 squadron. Then we traveled around with them until Dad retired. My earliest memory of them was when one went vertical and our windows cracked.

[@brianjackson7499]

She is pure brilliance in every aspect. Sad to see her retired but it's fair to say she's earned her rest, never forgotten. The best of British !

[@TuffBurnOutTeam]

brian jackson why has It been grounded the air frame Can't Be out of times surely

[@EthanThomson]

tuff ute its getting too expensive to maintain the vulcan as flight worthy

[@patthewoodboy]

I have a great picture of XH558 banking hard right over North weald , was very lucky to capture that image :-)

[@boyfromblackstuff7859]

Wow,as a child of immigrant parents in this country of my birth, this truly blew my mind,my God I love England and all it stood for!

[@Cynisca]

😢 Vulcan grit in my eyes and an aching heart. I felt so sorry for poor Martin, the sadness in his eyes..❤

[@mattsmedley.onehandedgamin9029]

I'm a child of the 70s. I remember seeing these in the sky regularly. I once asked my dad what they were doing and he replied. "Keeping us safe son" Yeah I miss my old man, and the Vulcan too.

[@averilwalker8131]

Me too, Matt, me too. My dad was a proud RAF man...he adored all aircraft, but "his" Vulcan always held a special place in his heart

[@maquetesdavioes]

Chorando aqui, man!

[@larswhitt1549]

@@averilwalker8131 My dad was in the Danish airforce, addored all amarican planes. But my mom loved the Vulcan and learned all about it and shared it with me. Can still remember as 6 or 7 year old visiting an airbase with my dad and a vulcan came by to show respect to some event there.

[@Speysider1962]

Sad to see this iconic aircraft go,that along with Concorde they were true greats to grace the skies of this country.

[@jackharrison6771]

I still like hearing tales of the chief test pilot rolling the Vulcan over the roof of the hanger, and smashing the glass. I've sat in the cockpit of two Vulcans, at RAF Cosford in early 1970s, and at Blackpool During late 90s-early 2000s.It's so sad to see them grounded and rotting, after thinking what a major role they played in our history.

[@lizbeard9463]

OMG...that was one of the most moving videos I have ever watched, had me in tears (the music, although perfect!...didn't help with the grief! ) A true hero of the skies and so proud of British Engineering. Thank you for your service XH558 x

[@Speysider1962]

Along with the Concorde, and Spitfire , it is one of the few,true iconic symbols of Great Britain.

[@MrMoorkey]

Concorde was French.

[@mathilu4453]

MrMoorkey Nope, it was BAC And Aerospatiale so, it was French and British.

[@scarecrow108productions7]

Concorde, English Electric Lightning, Buccaneer, Victor, Vulcan, Vickers VC-10, and etc. The golden era of British Aircraft is slowly fading now...

[@mydronetravellog6299]

managed to see this final flight over Whitby, couldnt believe my luck to see an actual Vulcan ! will never forget the noise

[@kevinleighuk]

Lovely to see her flying one last time. Whether on the ground or in the air she was a magnificent thing of beauty!

[@sumojones1]

Brings back so many wonderful memories, of Dad and I cycling through the lanes to Farnborough airshow in the late seventies, early eighties, to see this beast of an aircraft!! Elgar Nimrod is the perfect track for this video. An English engineering masterpiece that brings so many memories to so many people. Will hopefully go and get a close up look at XH558 one day. :)

[@AriesStyreneBistro]

yes have to admit I am not holding the tears back either, what a beautiful lady

[@andrewbeech2199]

So beautifully done guys , music works fine with that film.

[@liambeazley1379]

well wat do u say absolutley gutted to not hear of the vulcan final flight but just by chance happened to see it and ran wid joy to whom ever was closest thts the vulcan thts the vulcan the vulcan bomber a man of 27 turned to a kid lol wat a shame we wont see her fly again proud to be british

[@Spitfiregirl01]

She is one special special lady my memories of her will be kept in my heart forever when I first watched her at Lowestoft Airshow 2010 aged 15 I'll miss her so much

[@lemo_manda6076]

Have a good sleep Lady :(

[@simonbertioli4696]

I just adore just how graceful and majestic these planes were and still are ..a true expression of how England should be proud of being British...and what can be achieved. I knew a pilot that flew these wonderful planes...and he too said what a machine...and what hairy missions they had to do...too...l would like to salute those involved in any connection with these machines...l hope that more younger people can still see and hear the noise they make. As well as seeing them in the sky...thank you for this video...👍👍👍👍

[@jeremylister89]

Thanks for the memories. No more howling thunder dancing in the sky from this graceful awesome machine. Very very sad, especially for those who never saw her. Roll on project Mosquito! (How about a Lightning later on?..one can wish!)

[@GrahamInnes1]

An airshow without the Vulcan mmmm mm m . The Vulcan effect lives on in our memories. We have been lucky enough to see her (and hear her) in the flesh - future generations will not be so lucky, save for these superb videos! Beautiful!

[@johnwood1948]

The smiles, the tears of boyhood years The words of love them spoken. The eyes that shone, now dimmed and gone The joyful hearts now broken. I feel as one who walks alone some banquet hall deserted Whose lights are dead, whose garlands fled And all but he departed.

[@merledoughty5787]

Saw you fly this wonderful aircraft at Eastbourne air show 2015, thank you very much it sent shivers through me to watch this aircraft fly past only ever having seen one fly past our town in New Zealand in the 1950s as a kid.

[@stuartmcloughlin]

Every time I hear that music, I well up. Beautiful. It's like an old friend has passed on. We'll never see its like again. When Britain made the best aircraft in the world.

[@roboliver9980]

Been inside one at Solway Aviation museum. Stunning plane a true engineering marvel.

[@pietrobernini4471]

I'm moved, I have tears in my eyes...

[@danielticchi7112]

Very nice video . The last flight of a great warrior with Ninrod Enigma variation as a background music . Really outstanding

[@spudface3948]

RIP VULCAN XH558 we will all miss u :,( :,( :,( :,(

[@alfindigo]

A sad but incredible day. I saw her fly over my house on her last ever flight.

[@carmelhammond5273]

I was at the opening of the Wellington Airport NZ when the Vulcan.came in to. do.a touch and take off Unfortunately the pilot touched down short of the runway and.one leg of the undercarriage was damaged and left hanging Because the undercarriage collapsed the wing touched the ground and also fuel tanks were punctured leaking fuel The pilot ( to whom the crowd were.extremely grateful) gave the big bomber full throttle and with all his skill managed to get it safely away from what could have been a disaster

[@tectorama]

I remember being at Bentwaters one year when XL426 (now at Southend) came into sight. An American standing behind me had obviously never seen a Vulcan before. He said in a loud voice, "What on earth is that ?"

[@philsteels]

Superb!

[@walther6799]

What an amazing video and a tribute to the engineering and design teams who made this quantum leap in a span of 10 years from the WW2 piston fighters and bombers to the awesome V-bombers.

[@GlideYNRG]

And not a dry eye in the house.

[@thomasanderson8415]

Coming thru a world war and being an aircraft lover all my life. This really hit me hard... thanks a million for the videos. yours sincerely T.W.Anderson Co. Durham

[@allgood6760]

Cool plane!.. thanks for this ✈️🇳🇿

[@andrewallisonfraser8553]

a truly magnificent bird.......

[@GrahamMaguire-sc9my]

What will happen say in 20 YEARS if the VULCAN BOMBER was restored in all its glory....who will fly it!!!!!!,and it no doubt amazes people how cramped it is inside the cockpit!!!!

[@Radio478]

I refuse to die, vulcans win for ever

[@ThirdDegreeWitchExplores]

Nimrod , the best piece of music ever … perfectly fitting to see this old lady into retirement

[@gyrocompa]

Awesome plane, the video was very moving indeed even for a froggie like me (thank you for Elgar's music, it is so underrated in mainland Europe, that is a real shame). Could it fly again in a near future ?

[@paulputnam8211]

Very moving - end of an era. Want a good book to read ? Try 'Vulcan 607' by Roland White. An account of the first bombing raid on Port Stanley Airfield in '83. Totally gripping, I read it in two sessions ! Recommended !

[@oppopooop3058]

What a beautiful bird

[@markrayton6385]

The saddest day in aviation history.

[@Radio478]

Absolutely 💯

[@ThePorridgeGobbler]

Watching that footage reminded me of my flight in XH 560 in Nov 83 and standing between the two ejection seats looking out over the pilots shoulders as we refuelled three Harriers on a flight to Norway and back.

[@scl9671]

She will be back i dont know when i dont know where. But on day, we will hear the roar of the engines being fired up and the vulcan will fly again.

[@Jim-nt7xy]

The cockpit looked so much bigger in the Bond movie Thunderball.

[@hedleythorne]

How to make a grown man cry.

[@juliecasey5196]

Awesome

[@dorsetdumpling5387]

We should have had the ‘V’ bomber equivalent to the BBMF.

[@Radio478]

Yes we lost more than a friend,

[@TheTomyossarian]

Terribly sad. I can only imagine that the send off for the BUFF will be similarly emotional

[@deanakennedy3878]

Wow! At 8:12, it's tail grew a street light!

[@joolsthesteam]

Sorry, that music. Tears flowing easily.

[@escapetheratracenow9883]

Devastating. Another giant backwards step after losing Concorde. I despair.

[@paulputnam8211]

The co pilot pats Martin on the shoulder - that's when I loose it.

[@billramsey2564]

The Captain pats MW on the shoulder

[@Radio478]

I worked for Bae in 1982, i know

[@anthony2806]

anyone else feel like we have lost an old friend?

[@kyotokid4]

...yep.

[@ladytinkaharris6637]

Yeh we have lost an old friend I remember seeing the Vulcan XH558 at an airshow one year I can't exactly tell which year it was but the sound as it flew past was amazing a sound of like flying thunder with wings and the shape of the wing was amazing to delta wing I think they are called

[@porg7373]

Its still with us in coventry

[@anthony2806]

@@porg7373 yeah but she's grounded.

[@porg7373]

@@anthony2806 yep ik Xd

[@ben5shuttle]

British brilliance, with a stunning name...that still makes the tears of British Engineering pride roll down the cheeks. Thank you team XH558 and supporters for keeping her flying as long as you did.

[@CanadairCL44]

From the Avro 504K to the Vulcan. Amazing leaps in technology from British engineers.

[@blacktiger955i]

Couldn't hold back the tears. Thanks guys.

[@IanLanc]

+blacktiger955i Me too! The nod at 8:34 did it for me.

[@Bruce-1956]

+ian8354 that was at 7:16

[@fatrichie]

+blacktiger955i You're in good company in the tear department!

[@Bruce-1956]

+Rich Adney strange that most wives think we're emotionless, but when something like this happens we're all emotion.:)

[@TheCormTube]

How can an old hunk of flying metal bring on tears? The Vulcan was a symbol of the greater United Kingdom, greater than we are today.....reading it's story through Operation Black Buck (hearing superfuse! on the radio recording) and the feeling you got when she howled past you at the airshow.....the bitter disappointment I felt at a later airshow when an announcement came that she couldn't make it due to mechanical troubles....THIS IS HOW.....

[@jonsenior7001]

Nice to see it was Martin Withers who captained the old lady on her final flight. What a bloke 👍

[@GJones462-2W1]

If you've ever seen it, you'll NEVER forget it.

[@alanmumford8806]

Absolutely correct. I saw one (maybe not XH558) at Shoreham Airday in 1997 or 8. The sight, sound and body-shuddering effect of when the pilot did a near-vertical tail stand climb after a low pass was incredible and will stay with me to my grave. Youngsters use the word so easily these days, but it was a truly awesome experience.

[@mcahill135]

What an amazing machine. The sound is so unique and spectacular. The sound of FREEDOM.

[@RahulSingh-im1xk]

, L😊

[@TheSilvanElf]

Has the sky ever seen such grace as this beautiful girl flying? Not just a mere machine but something else, something intangible, something amazing. Born out of a need to deter the ultimate horror yet created with such form, beauty and finesse. Thank you XH558 - we will not forget you and I know I, like so many others, will visit you often. Thank you to all of you at VTTS for your sterling work in letting us all see her these past few years against all the odds. Thank you to all who have contributed and let us all continue to contribute so she will remain with us, albeit from the ground only. Raw power and aesthetic perfection will never be united like this again.

[@tortinwall]

Only Concorde.

[@Fireenginesofsurrey]

The tap on Martins shoulder made me loose the plot. Tears streaming now

[@stephenpl]

What a great video, not only shows the plane flying and the view outside but it also shows the crew working to fly the the big bomber. You can even see the navigator down stairs at the "work table" in some shots. I was a B-52 pilot for 8 years and flew low level all the time. It's not that easy down in the weeds below 200 ft and moving between 360-400 kts in a big jet. Kudos to these guys for doing a great job over these last years......

[@glebz7294]

Respect from Russia. I always wanted to hear that howl in real life and not from the headset... Well, that's one thing I shall never hear....

[@Ryanair-og7gs]

Maybe head over to one of the taxi runs, they sometimes do the howl!

[@jimpleace7488]

They do taxi runs occasionally and you might get to hear that howl, albeit not from the air

[@Crashed121]

That was emotional..

[@davehornby4859]

What a crying shame that untold amounts of money can be found to keep the BBMF in the air, but nothing for this wonderful piece of engineering.

[@biggedybiggedybong8032]

' i shed a tear' well i did too.. her last ever flight i was near Donny n had to pull over when i heard the final call on the RT...she had landed and it was the end of a magical era in Vulcan history... I still get emotional now seeing these videos... 48 yrs old n crying over the tin triangle... Dont cry cos its over..smile cos it happened!

[@brockjennings]

The Vulcan was a harbinger of nuclear demise. And yet, its ethereal beauty was magnificent. Such a dichotomy of the creative hands of mankind.

[@avoidingtrees6692]

Hats off British people....what a beautiful legacy to the world of aviation . Humble respect from France.

[@52templar]

They maintain peace

[@IkinAaron]

@Oliver Eales You can't lie though, still a remarkable aircraft

[@airzulu2733]

Meri boucoup .

[@lenfirewood4089]

Thank you - it's best tribute was that it never had to be used for what it was designed. It was a major part of our deterrent force at a critical juncture and it deterred thank heavens:)

[@avoidingtrees560]

I knew in my old day a gentleman called , Steve Monaghan.he flew the Vulcan , then became the chef pilot of global supply system in London Stansted.do you know this person ?

[@mraccyd]

I live within 1/2 mile of the airport, Martin did a fantastic job on this last flight lots of aerobatics and multiple approaches. It was an amazing and dignified end to an old warship of the skies of old, when Britain was a major power. So sad that's over now.

[@craiglington]

I have a lump in my throat. Magnificent. Thank you to all. Goodbye XH558. It was a pleasure.

[@danielbones3072]

It was lovely they Martin Withers took the controls for the last time. What a great bloke.

[@simonbird1973]

What has happened to our once great country? For crying out loud world, let the British design & build aircraft!!!

[@ada205mi]

That's why theres so much emotion in the comments...it's not just the end of an era or a beautiful, graceful and amazing peice of engineering, it represents so much more of what we have lost during the lifetime of this great plane. Sadly XH558 leaves us in infinitely better shape than the country she once served😭

[@NCrist100]

Please don't give up. This is sad, but she will be back, we shouldn't just sit back and accept this.

[@timscott4435]

Yeah I am a crappy American and I love that old bird. It’s a shame they have to shut it all down instead of flying a couple times a year. Time moves on I guess. How can anyone not love the howl and shaking of windows this plane makes. So distinctive.

[@BlackAce-zr2ms]

We shall never forget her beauty and power... We are the lucky ones to have seen her where she belongs. A real tribute to British aviation and what it achieved in such a short period, XH558 now becomes one of many Vulcan's that survive today but we shall forever keep her in our hearts.

[@davidpeters6536]

Very emotional, I grew up with these fabulous machines. When the last Lightning, Concord, Victor, VC10 and Vulcan make a last touch down it brings a tear to the eye. And Edward Elgar in accompaniment, Thank you.

[@Wildrossendale]

Lucky enough to be there on the day. Thanks Neil for giving your time, patience, expertise, money etc all for free in installing and editing the footage. Lovely cockpit footage. Nice to see how it look from up there than down there.

[@christritschler9310]

Do you know how I would get in touch with Neil to ask for permission to use this footage in a film about a Vulcan ?

[@Martin-rc4iy]

Should still be flying If we can send billions abroad build trains Why can’t we keep this with its history flying an iconic aircraft

[@lsabry]

Our dad was a crew chief on the Vulcan at RAF Waddington in the late 60s early 70s. This video was especially poignant for me as we lost him last year. He flew all over the world with it and watching this video has brought back so many lovely memories. Thank you.

[@alicewade-arnold9388]

I'm 28 now, I saw her this summer (2015) at the Bournemouth air show, I'd seen her fly at waddington a years before, she is absolutely amazing, I got a bit teary watching this. The jets get faster but nothing will live up to this beautiful thing. Nothing was going to stop me watching her last Bournemouth air show. Watching her do a wing over over the sea was so incredible, and the noise she made 😍😍😍

[@content4now]

A fitting tribute to the machine and to the lads that maintained and flew them. Praying that a similar spirit reignites the youth of Great Britain to regain a sense of pride in that nation.

[@12barmac]

Now that was emotional............ I wasn't this bad on the day....... million thanks to everybody involved.... xxx

[@garysangster3092]

Genuinely upsetting watching this now, 14th August 2022. The memories I have of this as a child visiting airshows with my parents... it honestly feels like I've lost an old friend. RIP Old girl.

[@esthet1k]

8:22 when it’s tail is perfectly in place with the light pole behind!! Sick

[@TimMSUK]

7:16 , right in the feels

[@Radio478]

This is a most incredible aircraft, the best bomber ever, in a spiral climb no fighter could lock on. Many years later in 1982 the vulcan attack on Falklands was thought to be a death wish, but no one remembered the special dynamics and dash 10 pod etc,of course it would succeed

[@headshunter]

Sobbed, guys, thank you, this is just beautiful..

[@Radio478]

That sound, if you've never heard it, more importantly felt it in you chest, then you will never understand.

[@barnsley1066]

Thank you for such loyal service and protecting us XH558/G-VLCN.

[@paulputnam8211]

Edgar's Nimrod, Englands famous airfields, Martin Withers & Vulcan. Is there a dry eye in the house ? ! 😕

[@jimpleace7488]

Elgar

[@sumojones1]

My dad used to ride me to farnborough air show on the back of his bike in the 70's down leafy surrey lanes to see the vulcan and many other historic jets. Happy memories. WE WILL MISS YOU VULCAN!

[@Sillybit]

i was there with my whole family in Wales gosh what a sight and i saw it at the royal air display wow i can't believe it has retired it is the most beautiful plane i have ever seen drifting in the sky the howl its just to much to imagine but you don't have to its right there.Thanks to all the crew who kept her still going i have seen lots of planes but nothing like this one! Thank you everyone who helped her and thanks to Vulcan trust and the pilots who kept her going!