IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson, PINK FLOYD's Nick Mason Among Celebrities Supporting Campaign To Help To Keep Vulcan Bomber Flying
February 11, 2009, 15 years ago
Chris Irvine from Telegraph.co.uk is reporting:
Celebrities including Sir Richard Branson, Frederick Forsyth and Robin Gibb have joined forces to campaign for government help to keep the Vulcan bomber flying.
In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, the trio have warned that the maintenance of the Cold War bomber is essential for encouraging design and innovation among young people.
The Vulcan XH558 took to the skies for the first time in 15 years in 2007 following a complex restoration costing £7 million - collected by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust through donations and fund-raising events.
Readers of The Daily Telegraph helped to raise more than £300,000 towards the restoration.
Today's letter, which is also signed by IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, PINK FLOYD drummer Nick Mason and Marshal of the RAF Lord Craig of Radley, former Chief of Defence Staff, says the MoD should give a home to the Vulcan in an expanded RAF Memorial Flight.
The letter states: "The stirringly beautiful Vulcan in flight is an inspiration to the young and a reminder of the need to increase the country's skills in design, engineer and manufacturing. The Vulcan is also a penetrating reminder of the lessons and sacrifices of the Cold War."
Read more here.
(The restored Vulcan Bomber photo: David Burges)
