CAFÉ RACER 76

jeudi 6 novembre 2014

Snapshot, 1969: Planes, Soultrains and Automobiles

The year is 1969 and James Brown has made it, man! At the pinnacle of his career, the ‘hardest working man in showbiz’ is clearly enjoying the material perks of success…

With his legs casually crossed, one hand buried in the pocket of his midnight blue two-piece, the other resting on the radiator of a brand-new Lincoln Continental Mark III, James Brown has little patience for an impromptu photoshoot. Having just emerged from his personalised Learjet 24A with his band, this image of the ‘Godfather of Soul’ was captured by photographer Julian Wasser at Los Angeles airport for Life magazine. Do you reckon he feels like a sex machine?

Photo: Wasser/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

CAFE RACER DREAMS XR600

This season’s new black seems to be the Street Tracker or Scrambler, or perhaps some Frankenstein love child of the two. No longer though is it acceptable to slap a set of knobblies on a street bike and adorn it with more adventurous connotations. Cafe Racer Dreams aren’t some new upstart, they’ve been banging the custom drum for a long time and have produced some wonderful bikes in the process. Need confirmation? Click here for some of what we have featured from Pedro and Efraon over the past couple of years.

Starting with a proper donor usually leads to a true multi-tasking result, in this case an XR600. Well, not quite proper, the Honda arrived in appalling condition and needed more work than the usual elaborate strip and rebuild that CRD apply to their builds. On this project the customer wanted something similar to a CRD XR600 from a couple of years back, the Apollo, obviously with some upgrades and a bit more punch.

Making subframes suit certain designs can be futile, so Pedro saved the compromise and chopped the old one off, preferring to fabricate from scratch. A skimpy rear fender hangs off the new structure in an attempt to keep crud away from the fancy bits. One of these being the Öhlins rear shock, very fancy.

Exhausts are a contentious issue. Some like flowing continuous bends that involve either expensive equipment and brain that can make a protractor work or arms like Hugh Jackman and bag of dry sand, others prefer the welded section approach. Personally I’m torn but in this case; if you can weld then let the world know. Escapes GR based in Galica on Spain’s far west coast put together this race style 2-into-1 stainless system with a two stroke-esque muffler.

The slim waistline comes courtesy of a handmade and upholstered seat flowing into the CG125 fuel tank. It does make me wonder what happens when a pizza delivery guy or courier needs a replacement fuel tank from a breakers yard, “Sorry sir, the dude with the beard and cool pick-up truck bought the last ones we had”.

Crackle finish high-temp black paint and raw edges to the cooling fins is the sort of attention to detail that keeps the order book full at CRD. And another shot of that exhaust; it looks like it grew there, out of a steel vine, should such a thing exist.

The Baja 1000 is off the cards so excessive suspension travel up front has been reduced to give a flatter, meaner stance and allow the new owner to get a little more aggressive on the brakes.

The paint job is subtle enough to let the rest of the workmanship do the taking whilst looking purposeful and smart.

The wheelset is by Excel with Continental TKC 80 tyres. Just a side note, if you’re a forum jockey with no real knowledge of what actually works in the real world; then please pipe down. Conti’s knobbly dual sport tyre can be pushed very hard on asphalt and the results enjoyed in abundance. I’ve done it, our mates have done it and loads of others have done it; they work, fact.

The CRD website will give you an idea of the breadth of the guy’s experience, and if you like what you see don’t be put off by their location if you’re from distant shores, working with a project and shipping globally is no problem. They also run a hugely successful Facebook page so keep up to date with their latest work.

the bike shed

Fancy flying a Spitfire?

At Heringsdorf Airport on the German-Polish island of Usedom, the ‘Hangar 10’ museum has an astonishing collection of classic warbirds. The best part is that you can even take a passenger flight. In a Spitfire...?

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX T9 in the aviation museum Hangar 10, which sits on the edge of the Baltic Sea, is an extremely rare piece of aeronautical history. Unlike the usual single-seater aircraft, this two-seater model was produced in the 1940s in only very small numbers. The plane even has dual controls, to enable instructors to teach their students the art of take-off, flight and landing, and also to take any necessary corrective action. However, the two pilots have no direct visual or audible contact with each other: the teacher would sit in a separate cockpit behind the pupil and was dependent on the radio link to his front man. A certain amount of trust in the abilities of the student pilot was also imperative – since the pilot in the rear cockpit is unable to see the runway in the approach for landing.

A turbulent history

At the heart of the British classic sits an imposing Rolls-Royce Merlin 76 engine, its 27-litre capacity and 12 cylinders giving a whopping great 1,650HP. With the help of a four-blade variable-pitch propeller, the Spitfire can make rapid progress through the skies and sudden, steep climbs. If the throttle is pushed fully forward, a speed of about 650km/h is possible and, with so much power, a competent and sensitive hand is needed for take-off and landing. The story of this actual Spitfire is enough to send a slight shiver down your spine: in December 1943, the machine was delivered to the Royal Air Force and suffered damaged shortly after. After being repaired, it completed more than 300 missions in Normandy, before taking up a more peaceful role after the end of the War.

A hangar full of surprises

Also unusual is the location of the Spitfire in the Hangar 10 museum, on the northern German island of Usedom, right on the border with Poland. Other former warbirds from the 1940s include an American P-51 Mustang, a Russian Yak 9 and even a Fieseler Storch from Germany. In the not-too-distant future, the museum is also planning to welcome the only remaining airworthy two-seater Messerschmitt 109. Hangar 10 is the result of the determination of local pilot, aircraft enthusiast and entrepreneur Volker Schulke to realise his family’s dream of a flying vintage car museum.

An airman's dream come true

But now for the best part: aviation enthusiasts can actually fly in these rare gems. Anyone who dreams of such an experience can come to the twice-a-year ‘Air Fighter Academy’ days at Hangar 10 where, for the sum of 2,700 euros, you can take a half-hour flight in the Spitfire Mk IX T9 or her American counterpart the Mustang P-51D. The pilots of these rare classics are the renowned Spitfire expert Charlie Brown and Mustang professional Rob Davies, both from England. The atmosphere in Hangar 10 is very friendly, and each passenger is able to say what he or she hopes to get from the upcoming flight. No more than five guest flights per machine per day are arranged and, since the Heringsdorf Airport has an approximately 1.2-kilometre grass runway, conditions are ideal for these warbirds, which are better suited to grass slopes than paved runways. If the guest has a pilot’s licence (and the pilot agrees), the passenger is even allowed to take control of the stick, as both planes are equipped with dual controls. Otherwise, it is enough simply to enjoy the breathtaking climb rate and 1940s experience aboard the two former fighters.

Photos: Richard Paver / Hangar 10 / Jürgen Schelling

Moto Guzzi Le Mans by Kaffeemaschine

Written by Ian Lee.

When a builder is passionate about the bike he is working on, you can see it in his work. Axel fromKaffeemaschine has almost reached a state of oneness with Moto Guzzi’s. This stunning build is one in a long line of Guzzi’s that were lucky enough to have received his touch. Given the name ‘Machine 14′, the bike has the stance and smooth lines of a classic cafe racer. When it comes to aesthetics, Axel usually chooses less is more. Built up from a stock Le Mans 3 donor bike, this is very much the machine you would find parked up outside the local Kaffeehaus – just after it clocked the Ton.

The build brief for the Guzzi was simple, with the Swiss client looking for a custom Guzzi with a decent riding position and the ability to carry a passenger. To fulfil the customer’s needs, a new seat was fashioned inhouse by Axel, along with the fuel tank, scalloped to allow for a better riding posture. A set of pillion pegs have been built in the same style as the rear sets, so the sporty aesthetic of the Italian machine isn’t taken away by the ability to take someone for a blast on it. While the bike was stripped down, Axel lightened the look of the machine by detabbing the frame, and running a new wiring loom.

Engine performance has increased as well, with the powerplant being blown out to 1000cc, with the fitment of a lightened clutch and sporty cam being added during the rebuild. The heads are twin spark units, being fed the power by an electronic ignition system. For something different, the exhaust setup features BMW silencers, mounted up using adaptors and the whole lot coated in matte black.

To help with handling, the suspension has been touched up as well. The front forks now feature FAC dampers, with Ikon shocks sitting at the rear. Although Axel was satisfied with the stock twin rotor setup, stainless brake lines have been fitted, running to modern brake cylinders. To add to the build, a set of new high shoulder rims have been spoked and mounted, wrapped in Bridgestone BT45 tyres.

With experience in modifying the Moto Guzzi marque, Kaffeemaschine has managed to produce another clean build. By going their own way and highlighting parts of the build by using their own Kaffeemaschine alloy products, this is definitely something you would want to be happy to go with.

Lappi, champion avant l’heure

Avant le départ de la dernière manche ERC 2014, Esapekka Lappi est d’ores et déjà assuré du titre de Champion d’Europe des Rallyes FIA puisque son seul challenger, Sepp Wiegand, ne participera pas au Tour de Corse après l’incendie de sa Skoda Fabia S2000 lundi en tests.

C’est mardi matin que nous avons été informés de la sortie de route du pilote Skoda Motorsport Sepp Wiegand lors des essais pré-Tour de Corse. De l’herbe s’est enflammée sous la Skoda Fabia S2000 au contact de l’échappement et la voiture a été très endommagée par un incendie.

L’équipe tchèque n’ayant pu acheminer une nouvelle voiture sur l’île méditerranéenne, Sepp Wiegand est donc forfait pour le Tour de Corse. Il était le seul challenger de Lappi au championnat Pilotes, à 34 points néanmoins du Finlandais, et compte 24 et 28 points d’avance sur Craig Breen et Kajetan Kajetanowicz pour le titre de vice-champion d’Europe.

A 23 ans, Esapekka Lappi remporte donc son premier titre européen dans des circonstances un peu particulières, qui ressemblent à celles qui ont accompagné Sébastien Ogier vers son premier titre mondial l’an passé (titré à l’issue de l’ES1 du Rallye de France).

Esapekka Lappi, qui a explosé sur la scène internationale lors du Rallye de Finlande 2012, et son copilote Janne Ferm ont remporté trois rallyes ERC cette saison : Rally Liepaja, Circuit of Ireland et Rallye du Valais. Il est le meilleur performer du championnat 2014 et n’a donc pas usurpé son titre.

Skoda Motorsport et Michelin dominent le rallye européen depuis quatre saisons. Après trois titres consécutifs en Intercontinental Rally Challenge (Hanninen 2010, Mikkelsen 2011 & 2012) et un en Championnat d’Europe « ancienne formule » (Hanninen, 2012), Jan Kopecky a remporté le titre européen « nouvelle version » l’an passé sur une Skoda Fabia S2000. Esapekka Lappi prolonge donc cette belle série en 2014.

L’année prochaine, Skoda Motorsport va lancer sa nouvelle Fabia R5.

HONDA AFRICA TWIN 2015 Prototype - first pictures

EICMA 2014, the Legend returns. In heritage of the Queen of Africa and the legendary Africa Twin, Honda shows up with the all new prototype to give rebirth to this legend.

black .....

mercredi 5 novembre 2014

Brivio aborde le retour de Suzuki en MotoGP™ à Valence / Brivio previews Suzuki’s MotoGP™ return at Valencia

Suzuki participera à la dernière manche de la saison MotoGP™ 2014 en wildcard avec Randy de Puniet et prendra ensuite la piste avec ses pilotes officiels, Aleix Espargaró et Maverick Viñales, lundi pour le premier rendez-vous de la pré-saison 2015.

Davide Brivio & Randy De Puniet, Suzuki MotoGP Test Team

Après avoir travaillé sur différents circuits dont Sepang, Termas de Rio Hondo, le Circuit of the Americas, Phillip Island ou encore Barcelona-Catalunya, Suzuki va disputer sa première course avec la nouvelle GSX-RR ce week-end à Valence, en la confiant à son pilote d’essais Randy de Puniet.

« C’est un grand moment pour nous parce que ça fait longtemps que nous avons commencé les tests, » a commenté Davide Brivio, le team manager. « Nous attendons ça depuis un moment. C’est notre seule wildcard et c’est la dernière course de l’année mais je suis content d’aller à Valence et je pense que ce sera une bonne récompense pour Randy, pour tout le travail qu’il a fait dans ce projet. »

« C’est la fin de notre préparation et je suis excité. Notre nouvelle aventure commence maintenant. Je suis conscient du travail qu’il y a à faire et ce week-end nous allons prendre note de tout ce que nous aurons à voir durant l’hiver. Ce sera notre première vraie comparaison avec nos concurrents, on ne peut vraiment se jauger qu’en situation de course et c’est donc un rendez-vous important. »

Suzuki a remporté six titres de Pilote Champion du Monde et sept titres Constructeur en 24 ans, de 1976 à 2000, avec notamment Barry Sheene, Marco Lucchinelli, Franco Uncini, Kevin Schwantz et Kenny Roberts Jr.

Leur dernière victoire remonte à celle de Chris Vermeulen au Mans en 2007, à l’époque des 800cc. Il s’agit de l’unique victoire de Suzuki en MotoGP™ 4-temps.

« Suzuki a une longue histoire en compétition et ce retour est excitant, » a ajouté Brivio. « Je sais que nos adversaires sont très forts et qu’ils ont continué à courir quand Suzuki s’était retiré de la compétition il y a maintenant presque trois saisons. Nous aurons donc du retard à rattraper pour réduire l’écart et beaucoup de choses à apprendre. L’objectif est de pouvoir nous battre avec nos adversaires dès que possible. »

Quant au Test Officiel auquel participeront Aleix Espargaró et Maverick Viñales la semaine prochaine, Brivio a annoncé que les deux Espagnols disposeraient de la même moto que celle que pilotera De Puniet ce week-end :

« La GSX-RR que nous utiliserons pour le test sera la même que pour la course. Randy cèdera sa moto et Maverick et Aleix auront la même. Nous commencerons ensuite notre travail hivernal pour préparer 2015 en nous basant sur les réactions de nos pilotes après leurs premiers tours. »

Randy De Puniet, Suzuki MotoGP Test Team

Suzuki’s return to Grand Prix racing becomes a reality this weekend as the Japanese manufacturer field their evolving GSX-RR at the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana.

Randy de Puniet’s presence as a wild card, overseen by the experience and expertise of Davide Brivio, will mark the first time the factory is back on the grid since the 2011 Valencia Grand Prix.

Suzuki have been testing comprehensively in 2014 with sessions at Grand Prix venues such as Sepang, Termas de Rio Hondo, Circuit of the Americas, Phillip Island and Catalunya and have now chosen to rejoin the competitive action.

“This is a big moment for us because we have been testing for so long,” commented Brivio. “We have been waiting for this. It is only a wild card appearance and it is the last race of the year but I’m happy to be going to Valencia and I think it is a reward for Randy for the big job he has done on this project.”

“It is the end of our preparation and I’m excited,” continued the Italian, who has directed Suzuki’s MotoGP™ regeneration for over a year. “This is where the new adventure really starts. I’m aware we have a big job to do, and during the weekend we will take a lot of notes for the work we need to do through the winter. This is our first comparison with our competitors and you can only ever really see where you are through a race situation so it’s an important meeting.”

Suzuki celebrated its six Rider World Championship titles - and seven Constructor’s titles - in a 24-year spell from 1976 to 2000, with winners such as Barry Sheene, Marco Lucchinelli, Franco Uncini, Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jnr in the saddle.

As they return to racing Suzuki will ultimately target a second victory in the MotoGP (four-stroke) era after Chris Vermeulen gave the marque a win in the 2007 French Grand Prix at Le Mans under the 800cc engine regulation. Suzuki’s last MotoGP podium appearance was at the 2008 U.S. Grand Prix courtesy of Loris Capirossi.

“Suzuki has a long racing history and it is exciting to be part of the comeback,” enthused Brivio. “I am aware that the competition are very strong and they have kept racing while Suzuki stepped away for almost three seasons, so we need to catch up and recover the gap and also learn as much as possible to get to their level. The target is to be in a position to challenge our competitors as soon as we can.”

Valencia is the last stop of 18 on the 2014 MotoGP trail but it is one in which Suzuki has enjoyed reasonably decent showings in previous visits. John Hopkins captured a podium finish with third place in 2007, Capirossi was ninth in 2008 and Alvaro Bautista also broke into the top 10 back in 2010.

Suzuki’s work will extend beyond practice, qualification and the race across Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively as the primary 2015 test will take place on Monday where tyre warmers will come off for new recruits Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro.

“The GSX-RR will be the same for the test as used in the race,” says Brivio. “Randy will hand over the bike and it will be the same spec for Maverick and Aleix. We will then start our winter work and our job for 2015 based on the comments and the feedback from those first laps with those riders.”

ERC, Tour de Corse : Conclure en Beauté…/ a stylish end to the season!

Le Championnat d’Europe des Rallyes FIA 2014 se conclut ce week-end sur l’Ile de Beauté. Le Tour de Corse, dont le parcours a été profondément remanié, a peut-être attiré le plus beau plateau de la saison avec 17 voitures S2000 / R5 / RRC.

A l’issue du Rallye du Valais, il ne reste plus que deux pilotes en lice pour le titre européen 2014, et deux pilotes Skoda Motorsport. Avec 34 points d’avance sur Sepp Wiegand, le Finlandais Esapekka Lappi est en bonne position pour succéder à son équipier Jan Kopecky, lui-même champion Asie-Pacifique cette saison.

Peu de suspense donc pour le titre, mais la bagarre pour la victoire s’annonce tout bonnement somptueuse sur les routes corses. Après avoir remporté le Rallye de l’Acropole en mars dernier, la Peugeot Rally Academy aimerait remporter une autre épreuve mythique, le Tour de Corse. Deux Peugeot 208 T16/Michelin sont engagées pour Craig Breen et Kevin Abbring.

Trois champions de France sont attendus au départ sur des Ford Fiesta R5 et RRC : Julien Maurin, Stéphane Sarrazin et Bryan Bouffier, vainqueur de la dernière édition. Autre ancien vainqueur du Tour de Corse en 1993, François Delecour reprendra son duel de Porschistes avec Romain Dumas entamé au dernier Rallye de France-Alsace.

Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Fiesta R5), Bruno Magalhaes (Peugeot 208), Jaromir Tarabus (Skoda S2000), Robert Consani (Peugeot 207), Jean-Mathieu Léandri (Peugeot 207) ou encore Eric Camilli (Peugeot 207) sont autant de candidats au podium. Le titre européen Junior se jouera également ce week-end entre Stéphane Lefebvre et Andrea Crugnola.

La 57^e édition du Tour de Corse, qui retrouve une date automnale, se déroulera au sud de l’île, entre Porto Vecchio et Ajaccio où se tiendra d’ailleurs la remise des prix officielle du Championnat d’Europe FIA 2014 au Palais des Congrès dimanche soir.

Mais avant cela, un parcours « corsé » attend les concurrents, avec des spéciales empruntées il y a quelques dizaines d’années autour de Porto-Vecchio et de Sartène le vendredi, puis des spéciales plus connues des pilotes actuels vers Ajaccio le samedi.

La plupart des spéciales mesurent plus de 25 kilomètres, commeSorbollano-Pont d’Accoravo(ES2/5, 26,10 km),Sartène-Orone(ES3/6, 26,66 km),Acqua Doria-Col de Bellevalle(ES7, 28,26 km) ouSarrola-Plage du Liamone(ES9/11, 26,68 km). Sur les petites routes tortueuses de l’Ile de Beauté, au revêtement parfois dégradé et recouvert de feuilles par endroits, elles s’annoncent donc longues et éprouvantes.

Début novembre, dans les montagnes corses, les conditions météo peuvent également compliquer la tâche des concurrents. Pour parer à toutes les conditions, les équipages Michelin disposeront de pneus Compétition-Client R11 (soft), R21 (medium) et R31 (hard).

Le Shakedown et la Qualifying Stage (2,64 km) se dérouleront jeudi matin avant la cérémonie de départ à Porto-Vecchio, à partir de 20h00. Le 57^e Giru di Corsica débutera vraiment vendredi matin avec l’ES1Palavèse-Barrage de l’Ospedale (14,93 km) à partir de 8h31. Arrivée samedi 8 novembre en fin d’après-midi à Ajaccio.

The 2014 FIA European Rally Championship draws to a close this week in Corsica. The event’s exciting new route has attracted 17 S2000, R5 and RRC cars – the best entry of the year.

With a single round remaining, only two drivers are still in contention for the 2014 European crown, namely Finn Esapekka Lappi and Germany’s Sepp Wiegand (+34 points). One of them is poised to follow in the footsteps of fellow Skoda Motorsport star Jan Kopecky, this year’s Asia-Pacific champion.

Despite the lack of suspense in the title fight, the battle for outright victory on the Corsican stages promises to be a real thriller.

After claiming March’s Acropolis Rally, the Peugeot Rally Academy will be hoping to add another classic to its 2014 record with one of its 208 T16/Michelin drivers, Craig Breen or Kevin Abbring.

The entry list also features three French champions in R5 or RRC Ford Fiestas – Julien Maurin, Stéphane Sarrazin and the 2013 Tour de Corse victor Bryan Bouffier.

Meanwhile, the 1993 Corsica winner François Delecour will resume the scrap he started with fellow Porsche fan Romain Dumas on the recent Rallye de France-Alsace (WRC).

Other likely front-runners are Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Fiesta R5), Bruno Magalhaes (Peugeot 208), Jaromir Tarabus (Skoda S2000), Robert Consani (Peugeot 207), Jean-Mathieu Léandri (Peugeot 207) and Eric Camilli (Peugeot 207), while the visit to the Mediterranean island will decide whether the 2014 ERC Junior crown goes to Stéphane Lefebvre or Andrea Crugnola.

The 57^th Tour de Corse sees the event revert to an autumn date and action will take place in the southern mountains between Porto-Vecchio and Ajaccio.

Day 1’s programme features a number of stages around Porto-Vecchio and Sartène that were last used around 10 years ago. Competitors will then move on to more familiar territory nearer Ajaccio on Saturday.

Most of the tests are more than 25km in length, such as Sorbollano-Pont d’Accoravo (SS2/5, 26.10km), Sartène-Orone (SS3/6, 26.66km), Acqua Doria-Col de Bellevalle (SS7, 28.26km) and Sarrola-Plage du Liamone (SS9/11, 26.68km). And with a carpet of fallen leaves adding to the usual challenge, drivers face a tough couple of days to wrap up the season.

Also, the weather conditions in the Corsican highlands could well complicate life for competitors. To cover all the scenarios, Michelin’s partners will be able to choose from the French firm’s R11 (soft), R21 (medium) and R31 (hard) asphalt tyres.

Shakedown and the qualifying stage (2.64km) will take place on Thursday morning before a start ceremony in Porto-Vecchio the same day at 8pm. Competitive action will kick off at 8:31am on Friday morning with Palavèse-Barrage de l’Ospedale (14.93km).

After Saturday’s late-afternoon finish, Ajaccio will also host the official 2014 European Rally Championship prize giving ceremony on Sunday evening.

How Jaffa Cakes helped the last Vulcan bomber to fly again

At the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the sole remaining airworthy Avro Vulcan bomber took to the skies of Sussex, much to the spectators' delight. Amy Shore went to investigate the heartwarming tale of community spirit behind the bomber's extended lifespan...

The Avro Vulcan: designed in 1947, this sinister-looking 83,500lb war machine flew high enough on bombing raids to avoid being seen by either radars or (since it was camouflaged) by enemy aircraft below. Long past its expected lifespan, there is now only this one remaining airworthy example: XH558, which served with the RAF from 1960 to 1984 . But in 1997, Dr Robert Pleming started work on restoring XH558 to its former glory. On jet fuel, the Vulcan has a range of some 2,600 miles. Nowadays, however, it is only thanks to 100 boxes of Jaffa Cakes that it's able to fly at all, as Taff – the Vulcan’s lead engineer throughout its lengthy restoration – explains.

A Jaffa Cake crisis

“During the restoration, we exclaimed to social networking followers that the restoration team had run out of Jaffa Cakes and were forced to resort to lonely cups of tea. Later that day, a Tesco van arrived at the hangar with 100 boxes of Jaffa Cakes for the team,” Taff recalls as he hands me my own cup of tea and, not surprisingly, a Jaffa Cake.

XH558 had an astonishing 10,000 visitors last year, and this year's tours are proving just as popular. That's just how the man behind the restoration, Chief Executive Dr Robert Pleming, wanted it. The very modest Pleming took on the restoration project back in 1993 and admitted that he didn’t quite realise the extent of the £7 million effort at first. “The most challenging aspect of the restoration was the funding. When we first applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund, our application was turned down. Then in August 2006, we completely ran out of money and truly thought that this was the end of the restoration. The public saved the project and have donated the majority of the funding to restore XH558 and it wouldn’t be here without them – it’s the people’s aircraft”

Nothing lasts forever

Sadly, the end of the Vulcan’s life is imminent, with its remaining lifespan standing at just one more year, eight years after the restored plane's first test flight in October 2007. “The aspects critical to flight have a set lifespan of how much wear and tear they can handle and we are slowly creeping up to that limit. However, we are confident that it will last until the end of 2015.” The chief pilot of the XH558, Martin Withers, adds that they’re taking the ‘every little helps’ approach to extending its lifespan, making small changes everywhere they can. All technicians working on XH558 are ex-RAF.

When asked what would become of the Vulcan after its retirement, Pleming stated that there are very early plans for it to become a centrepiece at a new college he intends to open, aimed at 7-14-year-olds who want to get into engineering (with a particular focus on attracting more girls to the field).

“We worked out that if you take the total cost of the restoration and apply it to the estimated amount of smiles that it’s given the public, you’d find that it cost about £1 a smile, which we think is completely worth it!”

Cortina GT "Rock Star"

Cortina GT "Rock Star" from Cool & Vintage on Vimeo.

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