Fans hope to see Vulcan bomber at Southport Air Show

Sep 16 2009 Gary Stewart

A GROUP of aeronautical enthusiasts who spent £8m restoring a Cold War jet plane are hoping a benefactor will come forward to allow it to fly at Southport Air Show.

The Vulcan XH558 is a four- engined long range bomber which carried atomic weapons as part of Britain’s nuclear deterrent from the 1960s onwards.

It was also involved in more conventional bombing runs against targets in the Falklands War in 1982 before being decommissioned in 1993.

More recently it has been thrilling crowds at air shows up and down the country but volunteers from Vulcan to the Sky, the group of 3,500 Vulcan fans who helped launch the old warhorse back into the sky, were upset to hear they wouldn't be ending their first full season at the North West biggest air show.

Volunteer Barry Hunt, who grew up near RAF Woodford where the plane was built, explained: “Last year a benefactor paid for the Vulcan to come to Southport and we’re hoping they will do again.

“Either that or a sponsor will see the benefit of backing what is sure to be the star attraction.