Tell you what British engineering was at its finest in those days...Some years after it retired there was a Russian delegation at a British airshow...The delegation all bypassed the new and existing aircraft...they wanted to see the Vulcan...because in their words..'It was the only one that would have got through'

kirk, Rotherham, UK

The successful restoration of the XH-558 is magnificent achievement and its return to the skies is something I never thought I would see. To suggest it should have been scrapped or left to fall into disrepair is a rather silly comment. The Vulcan was designed as a nuclear deterrent and in this role it was successful, it was never called upon to 'drop flaming death on millions of people and thousands of cities'. It deserves to survive and be remembered on that basis alone.The flight was the result of immense hard work and dedication and to denigrate it on the basis of such viewpoints is, in my view entirely innappropriate.

Simon, Grays, England

I'm as big an aviation geek as the next man but I am moved to remind all those teareful bloggers on the subject of the Vulcan that it was designed and intended to drop flaming death on mllions of people and thousands of towns and cities. It was impressive while it was in service but should have joined Soviet Russia and the apalling dangers of the cold war on the scrap heap. The money would have been better spent on a Concorde, which was not designed to threaten anybody and really was beautiful.

michael sullivan, Ealing, London UK

I was very pleased to see that XH558 has finally got back into the air after years of work by a dedicated group of individuals.

It was quite an emotional sight , growing up at RAF waddington I remember seeing these mighty aircraft take off regularly, my late father actually flew XH558 as well which makes it all the more special.

My dad used to say it was a great aircraft to fly and he couldnt believe he actually got paid to fly it!

It's a real shame that there wasnt any coverage on the BBC about the return to flight, this is the first time a "complex" aircraft has been restored, after all they did report on the funding crisis ealier on. (BBC leics did d a small feature)

Finally congratulations to everyone involved in the project this has been a magnificient achievement

Chris Shearman, solihull, UK

My father, were he alive today, would have cried tears of joy to see this magnificent aircraft take to the skies again. As a technician on the first OCU squadron to be equipped with Vulcans he was forever telling me that of all the aircraft he worked on-in 39years of RAF service-that this was his favourite. In point of fact he flew in XH588 as an AEO replacement in a record breaking atlantic run from the UK to Gander in Newfoundland, and was also a member of the squadron that was sent to Eglin AFB to carry out tests on the skybolt missile as part of the British Joint Trials Force conducting trials alongside USAF personnel in October 62. As an impressionable 16 year old to see the white delta wing monster alongside US B-47s gave me almost as much pleasure. Oh happy days!

graham moreland, YORK, United Kingdom

The expertise of former RAF aircraft technicians who worked on these retired aircraft is fading away into retirement with them. Those few who volunteer to work at places like Duxford and the many other groups around the country would like nothing better than the reward of flying their inventory no matter how infrequently. To do so would provide a training ground for others and hence the retention of knowledge whilst providing entertainment to many at airshows even providing the income to assist in maintaining the aircraft.
Certificates to fly can be limited in scope and by sensible application any identifiable risks can be safely managed. What would be the potential income at the airshow that could promise a Victor, Vulcan and Valient in formation. We should support and encourage all preservation activities preferably beyond the external airframe.

Martin, Chulmleigh,

As a young airman serving in the RAF I was once fortunate enough to see 6 of these beautiful aircraft take part in a QRA scramble at very close quarters, the sight and sound of this is something I will never forget. The Vulcan is as much a part of our aviation heritage as the Spitfire and the Lancaster. October 18th 2007 is indeed a great day!

Nick Wright, Pickering, north yorks

It is beautiful sight and one long waited for but the real skill has been getting the aviation authorities to give it the air worthy certificate.
If they can do it for this majestic aircraft why won't they do it for the Lightning that is ready to fly.
The only reason we cannot see aircraft, the greatest cold war fighter interceptor the British have ever built, that flew rings round the Tornado that replaced it when the Tornado was tested against it is because the aviation authorities won't give the green light.
Come people play fair, instead of 'Last Laugh Lightnings Day' how about the 'Jokers Return Day' with after burners blazing.
On a footnote I'm not sure but I believe there may be more than one Lightning that is ready for the sky.

Andy Murray, Croydon,

IT is real tribute to the many hours days and nights worked mainly by volunteers a fantastic achievement.

Eric Martin, High Wycombe,

Air Atlantique are renovating the Shackleton in Coventry.

This is where the BBMF Lancaster was serviced recently.

Bob Wiggins, Warwick,

Brilliant effort!
Can we see a Shackleton in our skies in the near future?
Perhaps an 'Avro Flypast' of a Vulcan & Shackleton and the BBMF Lancaster?? - not impossible?

Chris Moore, Walton on Thames, Surrey