FlyPast 02.2018

OMBER COMMAND 617 SQ UA D RO N

38 FLYPAST February 2018

fell. The Comet eventually arrived on

the 12th.

Both serviceable Vulcans were

airborne for the rehearsal at 11:05

on April 11 and arrived over

the target area on time. They

maintained close formation when

flying past on the first run clean and

on the third run with wheels down

and airbrakes extended.

had been required to carry out a

minimum of ten sorties and 20

timing runs before the actual event.

The squadron had only arrived

on the 10th and a full-scale dress

rehearsal to which the public were

to be admitted was to be held two

days later, with the display proper

scheduled for 15th.

DRESS REHEARSAL

A rehearsal by all participants was

to be held on April 11. Despite this

being only a day after arrival, Gus

Walker decided the force would

participate, enabling crews to

familiarise themselves with the local

terrain and the route to be flown.

The Vulcans had arrived at Nellis

with bomb bay panniers containing

spares and equipment, but it would

be undesirable to fly low-level

patterns with a load in the main

fuselage section. The Comet carrying

the ground crews had been delayed

departing from Lyneham for 24

hours, due to engine problems,

so immediately after briefing, the

aircrew set to work with the crew

chiefs to remove the panniers. The

task was completed just after darkness

had been required to carry out a

minimum of ten sorties and 20

“All aircraft were required to comply with

a carefully planned holding, approach and

withdrawal pattern, with great attention

to time on target of plus or minus fi ve

seconds”

To p

Comet C.2 XK716 and

one of the Vulcans

bask in the April

sun at Las Vegas

McCarran Field.

Above

Airline-style service

in the cabin of 216

Squadron Comet C.2

XK716.

Right

A North American

F-100 Super

Sabre of the USAF

Thunderbirds

aerobatic team on the

ramp at Nellis: Vulcan

XH502 behind.