Aircraft

It spent most of its life as a strategic nuclear bomber, but it could have been made for air shows - and now a UK team is working to get an Avro Vulcan back in the sky.

The combination of grace and agility that the "tin triangle" displayed has not been seen since the type was retired by the RAF in 1984.

Since 1997 a project has been underway at Bruntingthrope in the English midlands to get Vulcan XH558 flying again in time to lead a flypast over the Queen's official residence - Buckingham Palace - on the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War next year.

But despite a £3 million ($5.7 million) Heritage Lottery Fund grant, the team is running out of cash and has launched an emergency appeal for an immediate £250,000, with a further £950,000 to come later.

In an open letter to the UK aerospace industry, the group is today asking for individual contributors and major sponsors to come forward to support the campaign.

The group says: "Why should the industry do this? Because Vulcan represents one of the best ways to energise the youth of the country to choose aerospace as a career. Despite belonging to another age, it is an extraordinarily inspiring and awesome aircraft that will captivate further generations.

"We read that engineering is endangered as a career, and that the sciences face virtual extinction as a choice at our schools. Something as big and empowering as the Vulcan could well help to inspire and motivate. Thus it would be pump-priming the future of the aerospace industry while contributing immeasurably to the nation’s aviation heritage."

You can reach the organisers on +44 116 247 8145, or contact them via their website above.

Kieran Daly has a soft spot for Vulcans. Read his blog.