FlyPast 02.2018

The second run with bomb doors
open was flown in line astern and the
fourth was a full power climb in line
astern, but opened out. In view of the
positive comments received for this
rehearsal, it was decided to maintain
this pattern for the main display,
with the addition of the third aircraft
scheduled to arrive the following day.
At the completion of the public
rehearsal on the 12th, the lead
aircraft landed at McCarran Field,
Las Vegas’ airport. There it joined
a static display, including a Boeing
707, Douglas DC-8 and Convair

880. Here it would appear on static
     display for the next two days. The
     Comet also transferred to McCarran
     to become both a static exhibit and to
     be available for flying demonstrations
     until the day prior to departure.
     In the evening, all personnel of
     the detachment, including the
     ground crew who had been specially
     equipped with gabardine uniform for
     such events, attended a preview of the
     exhibition hall and display area, while
     Gus Walker gave a press interview.
     The reserve aircraft,

XH483, captained by Flt Lt Richard

Streatfeild, arrived at 10:30 on April

13. That day was spent servicing
    all the Vulcans while the Comet
    participated in a flying display at
    McCarran Field. In the evening, a
    reception was held for all attending
    the convention, during which Gus
    Walker was privileged to meet USAF
    Vice Chief of Staff, General Curtis
    LeMay.
    On the 14th, the newcomer crew
    flew the display pattern with the
    others. The rehearsal with three
    aircraft was not entirely satisfactory,
    and it was only on the morning of
    the actual display that a final pattern
    was agreed.
    Meanwhile, Gus Walker and AVM
    Sheen flew to Vandenberg AFB,
    California, intending to witness the
    first launching of a Douglas Thor
    intermediate range ballistic missile by
    an RAF crew. Unfortunately, this was
    thwarted by a minor technical fault.

CURTAIN-UP

On the opening day of the

Congress, the weather was fine,

and all three Vulcans were

airborne on schedule;

taking off

immediately

after the

Convair

B-58

February 2018 FLYPAST 39

until the day prior to departure.
In the evening, all personnel of
the detachment, including the
ground crew who had been specially
equipped with gabardine uniform for
such events, attended a preview of the
exhibition hall and display area, while
Gus Walker gave a press interview.
The reserve aircraft,

California, intending to witness the

first launching of a Douglas Thor

intermediate range ballistic missile by

an RAF crew. Unfortunately, this was

thwarted by a minor technical fault.

CURTAIN-UP

On the opening day of the

Congress, the weather was fine,

and all three Vulcans were

airborne on schedule;

taking off

immediately

after the

Convair

B-58

Hustler, itself an impressive sight

and sound. Conditions were

extremely turbulent over the

Grand Canyon area, where open

formation was maintained, but

because the route from the holding

pattern to the target area passed

just north of Nellis, pride decreed

that they should keep as close as

practicable.

The deltas arrived in front of

the stands in close ‘vic’ formation

precisely on schedule and began

their eight-minute display. An

initial run in close line astern with

bomb doors open was followed

by close echelon starboard with

undercarriage down and airbrakes

extended, finishing with an

extended line astern clean.

During the second run, the port

wingtip of the starboard aircraft,

XH482, came uncomfortably close

to the starboard tip of XH498. In

the concluding full power climb

in a steady left-hand turn, the lead

aircraft came back over the top of

the stands in a clear blue sky at

12,000ft, just as the third aircraft

passed the stands low down,

giving an immensely impressive

indication of the Vulcan’s power

and manoeuvrability.

In Las Vegas itself, a Farnborough-

style trade fair was hosted in an

exhibition hall adjoining a vast

circular convention building, both

completed just in time. Behind was

a large outdoor static display,

including an Atlas rocket,

Thor missile and the

Project Mercury

capsule.

Below

Three different American

airliners keep a Vulcan

company at McCarran

Field. Left to right:

Lockheed L-188 Electra,

Douglas DC-8 and

the third Convair 880

N803TW. The Convair

became part of the TWA

fl eet and its cockpit is

preserved at the Aviation

Hall of Fame, Teterboro

Airport, New Jersey.